Edward Neville "Bluey" Greatorex

Nick-named ‘Bluey’ for his flaming red hair, Ted Greatorex was a tireless lightweight flanker who had the ignominy of being “sent-off” in his just his second Test only to be recalled following an emphatic plea by an All Black captain.

Greatorex possessed “pristine speed” and an “ability to scent an opening that leads over the chalk mark”, assets that somewhat incredibly saw him top the Shute Shield try scoring table in 1925 (13), 1926 (14) and again in 1929 (14). In 94 first-grade matches (78 for YMCA and 16 for Eastern Suburbs) Greatorex scored 80 tries, a strike rate that compares more than favourably with many a good winger and a remarkable effort for any forward.

He first showed in trial matches with YMCA in the 1922 season however it was not until 1923 that his presence came to notice. Following an early season clash against Randwick, The Daily Telegraph waxed lyrical about the newcomer: ‘The outstanding player on the ground was E.N. Greatorex. he was always prominent, and used his exceptional pace to great advantage, scoring two tries, and being handy on other occasions. Evidently [Rugby League Immortal] Frank Burge is this player’s model. Attention to other phases of the game, such as the line-out and ruck work, will make him a great asset, not only to his club, but probably to the state team.’

The Telegraph’s words proved most prophetic. Just a month later Greatorex was selected as a reserve for the opening ‘Test’ against the Maori before he found himself in the run-on side to face the tourists for the third international. Although he did not know it at the time that match was also Greatorex’s official Test debut after an ARU decision in 1994 elevated the remaining 34 New South Wales matches played against international opposition in the 1920-28 period to Test status (the five 1927/28 Waratahs’ internationals were given Test status in 1986). He celebrated that debut with two tries, to become just the fourth Australian - and incredibly after ‘Stumpy’ Crossman in the first Test and then ‘Sheik’ Bowers in the second of that very same series, to score a double in their first Test.

Unsurprisingly Greatorex earned a spot in the New South Wales squad to tour New Zealand later that same year however it was there that he became involved in one of the more extraordinary scenes in rugby history. The venue was Wellington’s Athletic Park and, with the series already lost, Greatorex came into the side for Armstrong. The Press Association noted: ‘Greatorex (rover) was aggressive, as was [Australian front-rower Tom] Davis, who also watched [All Black wing forward Cliff] Porter. As the latter played with great dash clashes were inevitable, and some untoward, if not exciting, incidents occurred. On [one] occasion Greatorex and Porter came to grips, and the New South Wales man attempted a right hook to Porter’s chin. Greatorex was ordered off. Nicholls the New Zealand skipper, averted unpleasant developments by pleading for the visitor, stating that both teams were playing somewhat excitedly at the time. The referee penalised the visitors and the game proceeded, the style of play improving.’

In 1925 New Zealand came to Australia with their tails up following their ‘Invincibles’ tour where they won all 32 matches in the Northern Hemisphere. Greatorex started in the opening Test where New South Wales was trounced 3-26. Four days later the state’s 2nd XV stunned the tourists 18-16. As a consequence, an incredible 11 members from that winning 2nd XV team were promoted to the run-on side, with Greatorex one of the casualties, for the second test three days later and despite a short turnaround distinguished themselves in a narrow 0-4 defeat. Despite the fallout of that first Test hiding, Greatorex was named for the return tour of the Dominion later that same year. However, his participation was not without controversy after he suffered a dislocated thumb in YMCA’s 3-9 loss to Glebe-Balmain just a few weeks prior to departure. Two honorary medical officers to the NSW Rugby Union tendered their resignations after Greatorex, who they both declared medically unfit, was given the green light to tour by a quorum of selectors and team management with the proviso that he did not play in the first three matches. The doctors may well have been vindicated in their opinion given Greatorex only played three of the ten matches on that tour.

In 1926, Greatorex was picked in the 4th XV for the trials ahead of the home series against New Zealand despite consistently brilliant performances at club level. Surprisingly he missed selection for all three Tests as well as the hastily organised ‘fourth’ international, one that included seven debutantes.

In the final trial matches ahead of the 1927/28 Waratah tour Greatorex, having started the season trialling in the 4th XV, was elevated to the No.1 XV / Charlie Fox’s team. It was in that final trial that he and Wylie Breckenridge “were always on the ball, rucked it well and were always conspicuous in attacking movements”. To top it off Greatorex scored two tries. Once again, the press was full of praise: “None was more prominent than Greatorex whose play must give him an excellent chance of being chosen”. Wylie Breckenridge and Arnold Tancred were preferred as breakaways for the first three Tests before Tancred suffered a tour-ending dislocated shoulder when thrown onto the frozen pitch in the win over Gloucester. Tancred’s injury opened the door for Greatorex to return to the side for the first time in 2 ½ years and win what were his final two caps against England and France.

The French international “was a tough and at times fiery battle”. As Peter Fenton wrote in ‘For the Sake of the Game’, “Morere, the French prop, again upset the Australian pack by bringing his head up vigorously on engagement, butting prop Jim Tancred. Bluey Greatorex, on the side of the scrum found himself in the ideal spot to even things up. Morere exploded from the pack, whingeing violently. Referee Bradburn, who had not seen the cause of the scuffle, signalled Morere from the field.” The boot on the other foot this time around, Waratah captain Johnnie Wallace rushed in immediately to argue Morere’s case and the big forward was permitted to remain on the field.

During the course of the great tour, Greatorex, alongside fellow backrowers Jack Ford and Breckenridge, was one of three Waratahs “vainly sought” by English Rugby League. He was offered the sum of £500 plus a journalistic appointment on Yorkshire newspaper. Notably, all three players refused their respective offers.

Upon his return home Greatorex was chosen for the 1928 tour of New Zealand however he was unable to make the trip. A year later a dislocated shoulder in the trials saw him miss the home series against the All Blacks yet he still somehow managed to top the Shute Shield try-scoring table.

In 1931 and in the twilight of his career, Greatorex, now at Easts after YMCA were outed from the premiership a year earlier, combined with fellow Waratahs Alec Ross, Ben Egan and ‘Doc’ Tarleton to deliver the tricolours a first Shute Shield when they defeated minor premiers Manly 16-9.

Greatorex retired in early 1932 and remained a journalist with The Daily Telegraph until he briefly enlisted in 1940. Upon his retirement, Greatorex penned the following thoughts: ‘Friends tell you that you have had a “fair spin”. They say that you might as well retire, because there is nothing else to get out of the game. But they don’t understand. They don’t know what it is to look on and see the side you once played with take the field. Ask the old-timers how it feels. I know some veterans who cannot look on. But it has been well worthwhile. The friendship and the memories of ten years of first-grade football remain. One can recall the purple patches – the thrill of first being selected for a club; of being picked for your State; of lining up for the first time with fourteen other men wearing the light blue jersey; of walking onto the famous Twickenham ground (the dream of every Union footballer) to the cheers of 60,000 spectators; of mighty tussles against the All Blacks; of racing over for a try; and the proud moment of a premiership victory. All of these remain. But I wish I could begin again.’

Ted Greatorex played 8 Tests for Australia in a six year international career.

Highlights

1923

Won his first Test cap at breakaway in the 3rd Test, 14-12 victory over the Maori. He earned a second cap in the third Test, 11-38 defeat to New Zealand at Athletic Park.

1924

Greatorex paired with Roy Hoskins and Ted Thorn in the backrow for all three home Tests against the All Blacks.

1925

He played a single international, the first Test 3-26 loss to New Zealand.

1927/28

Greatorex played his final two Tests, against England and France, on the famous Waratah tour of the Northern Hemisphere.