Angry_eel said:
i agree. wow, parra pete is ancient.
:lol: :lol: ...I am, what is commonly known as, an "Old Goat"....
Billy was "Bridge Builder"..one of those blokes who dug the well of success the current crop of players and supporters we are now drinking at.
"I had three broken ribs and two black eyes. Stop Rayner from hooking and we'll win this match for sure. That's what they were saying.
"Well they didn't stop me. Broken ribs, black eyes and all, I kept playing and won the next thirteen scrums staight. I knew I had them beaten by just stopping on the field. They couldn't afford to knock me about anymore because the referee had the whole Western Suburbs pack tabbed." Bill Rayner, Parramatta's 'iron man' with an unbroken run of 159 First grade matches, was describing his most dramatic moment in Rugby League.
"I was in agony", Bill said.
"I got hurt early in the first half and don't remember much about the play. But I do remember saying to myself Bill 'stop on, that's why you got hit, to get you off." The match was against Wests in 1963 at Pratten Park. Billy joined Parra from Yass in 1956.
"Jack Scullin approached me after I'd played for Southern Division against France in 1954 and later when I'd played for Monaro against Great Britain in 1955.
"It was my ambition to play Sydney football so I didn't hesitate to accept Parramatta's terms.
Billy didn't take long in making an impression.
He represented City Seconds in 1957 and 1958 City Firsts in 1959 and Australia against France in 1960. This paved the way for World Cup selection in 1960.
Selection in this touring team was the biggest thrill of Bill's career.
"We'd played an interstate match against Queensland in Brisbane at the time.
"The team was announced about an hour after that match. I couln't believe I'd made it. I was ahead of great hookers such as Ian Walsh, Noel Kelly and Bed Goff."
Testimony to Bill's durability is his playing 201 first and 21 reserve grade matches for the Eels."
"During my run of 159 matches straight, I must have driven reserve grade hooker Ron Workman out of his mind.
"But maybe I did Ronny a good turn. He went to Penrith and had a good career at that Club".
Bill was a first grade selector in 1969, reserve grade coach from 1970-1973 as well as being a long term committeeman.
Billy rated the best players of his era Ken Thornett and Ron Lynch,
"Ken was almost a team on his own while Ron Lynch had no peer as a lock or second row forward"..
) we should focus on him and stories of what makes this club so amazing.
