Donald Leonard Logan

Don Logan was a nuggety, tough as teak halfback with a never say die attitude who inspired every forward pack with whom he played. Unfortunately, Logan’s career coincided with two great Wallaby halfbacks, Des Connor and then Ken Catchpole.

 

Naturally aggressive and a fearless defender who showed more like a ninth forward, Logan played his first rugby at Barker College, in Sydney’s north, where he was coached by sportsmaster and ex-Olympic sprinter Jim Carlton. He was consistently a member of the Under age ‘A’ teams in rugby and cricket, and a member of the First X1 for two years (1948-49).

 

Logan played junior rugby for Lindfield before he joined Gordon in 1954. He found himself in the lower grades until the retirement of long-serving half back Brian Moffat in 1956. Logan went on to play 108 first grade games and a total of 350 games over a period of 30 seasons for the Highlanders.

 

Logan’s breakthrough year was 1957 when he won the annual Herald Fairfax Cup competition as the Best and Fairest player. He played for ‘Australia’ against The Rest in Wallaby trials and was chosen with five other Gordon players for the Fourth Wallabies tour to the British Isles, France, and North America. Unfortunately, Logan dislocated his ankle early in the tour which allowed Connor to debut in Wales and then hold onto the halfback jumper for all five Tests.

 

The following season Connor was selected for the opening Test against the touring Maori however he withdrew due to injury and Logan was called up for his debut in Brisbane. Australia prevailed 15-14 thanks to a last minute penalty goal by Jim Lenehan however coach Bill McLaughlin was not satisfied with the team’s form and he felt that the main fault was a ‘lack of momentum in the backline.’ As a consequence the Australian selectors made eight changes, including both halves, for the 2nd Test in Sydney. Connor returned to play the next seven Tests through to the British Lions series of 1959. In 1961 Ken Catchpole debuted to dominate the halfback position for eight seasons.

 

Don Logan played one Test for Australia and will forever be Wallaby #440.

 

Highlights

 

1958

 

Logan won his first Test cap at halfback in partnership with fellow debutant Bruce Wells in the 1st Test, 15-14 win over the Maori at the Exhibition Ground.