Geoff Selby

[Chico]

Just wondering whether any of you have any fond memories of the late Geoff Selby.

Geoff played for Salford in the UK for a number of games in our winter of 1986. Such was his (and Mark Wakefield's) impact on the team, Salford moved up from relegation-threatened bottom to mid-table security.

Recently we ran a poll on ScarletTurkey.com to find the fans most popular overseas team ever. Geoff managed to gain a spot in the second row next to John Cartwright. No easy feat when you consider how many overseas players are drafted into Super League these days and that most people who use the website would never have been able to remember him play.

The best Salford Overseas XII finished like this:

Full Back: Garry Jack (Australia)
Winger: Fata Sini (Western Samoa)
Centre: Greg Austin (Australia)
Centre: Michael Hancock (Australia)
Winger: Wally McArthur (Australia)
Stand Off: Paul Shaw (Australia)
Scrum Half: Gavin Clinch (Australia)
Prop: Esene Faimalo (New Zealand)
Hooker: Peter Edwards (New Zealand)
Prop: Joe Faimalo (New Zealand)
Second Row: John Cartwright (Australia)
Second Row: Geoff Selby (Australia)
Loose: Sam Panapa (New Zealand)

Sub: Steve Gibson (Australia)
Sub: Neil Baker (Australia)
Sub: Francis Leota (New Zealand)
Sub: Sean Rutgerson (Australia/South Africa)

As such we will be writing a piece on Geoff's stint at The Willows and any memorable comments during his time would be most appreciated.

 

[Willow]

Geoff Selby was a [size=-1]St George junior who was graded at Illawarra after being encouraged by Brian Smith. Geoff later played for St George under the guidance of Johnny Raper. So he came with some high recommendation.[/size]

[size=-1]He was tragically killed in a car crash in 1989.[/size]

[size=-1]He is remember at St George Illawarra via the annual Geoff Selby memorial award - the coaches award given to one player every year for outstanding contributions to the team.[/size]

btw Chico, you're welcomed to post that link in the links section, no need to put it in posts. Is that a rlfans sub domain?

 

[Chico]

Is that a rlfans sub domain?

It is mate.

 

[Willow]

Saw the email mate, please feel free to ask away. Cheers.

This is all I've got:
http://www.showroom.com.au/dragons/dragonshistory/history_players_s.htm

Selby, Geoff

Illawarra, 1984-85, 39 games.
9t (36pts)
[size=-1]St George, 1986-88, 44 games + 18 repl.
4t (16pts)[/size]

Lock forward.
[size=-1]St George junior.[/size]
[size=-1]Graded at Illawarra on the recommendation of his former high school teacher, Brian Smith.[/size]
[size=-1]Returned to St George and came under the guidance of Johnny Raper. Tragically killed in a car crash on 13 February, 1989.[/size]
[size=-1]He is remember via the annual Geoff Selby memorial award - the coaches award given to one player every year for outstanding contributions to the team.[/size]

GEOFF SELBY DIES IN CAR CRASH
[size=-1]13 February, 1989: Promising young St George forward, Geoff Selby was tragically killed in a car accident in February 1989. A St George junior, Selby was graded at Illawarra on the recommendation of James Cook High teacher and Illawarra coach, Brian Smith in 1984. He returned to St George in 1986 under the guidance of Johnny Raper. Playing at lock or 2nd row, Geoff Selby played a total of 39 games for Illawarra scoring nine tries plus a total of 44 games for St George (18 repl) scoring four tries.[/size]

 

[dontmakemeangry]

Bloody tragic, he would have went on to beone of our games greats, as would have Ben Alexander from the Panthers.