Percy McNamara

Percy Vernon John McNamara (1870–1940) was a pioneer rugby league footballer in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership. He was also a noted rugby union player, initially with Randwick DRUFC, and later with the 'Pirates', who won state wide fame, and also represented New South Wales against New Zealand (in 1897) and Victoria before switching codes. He played with the Eastern Suburbs club in the codes inaugural season - 1908, as a 38-year-old.

Percy McNamara

Personal information
Full name	Percy Vernon John McNamara
Born	1870 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died	1940 (aged 69–70) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position	Fullback, Wing, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1908–09 Eastern Suburbs 15 2 0 1 8
Source: As of 14 February 2019

Playing career

Known as "Percy Mac", he was an outside back and played in the NSWRL's first premiership final. The match was played between Eastern suburbs and South Sydney resulting in a 14–12 victory to Souths. McNamara kicked a field goal in the deciding match.

McNamara played 9 matches for the Eastern Suburbs club in the years (1908–09), he scored 21 points - 3 tries and kicked 6 goals. He was also a Cricketer with Waverley and Australian Rules Player.

Death

A press article from 1935 noted that he suffered severe injuries from slipping on a banana peel on a Sydney Street. His funeral was held on 8 October 1940 and he was cremated at Northern Suburbs Crematorium.

References

• Whiticker, Alan; Hudson, Glen (2007). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd. p. 609. ISBN 978-1-877082-93-1.