Rodney Pain

Men of League Magazine Sub-Editor Barry Ross, rugby league immortal John Raper and former Parramatta player Mal McMartin visited local Richmond resident and former Parramatta player, Rodney Pain who has recently been doing it tough. Rod is approaching 76 and over the past few years he has had two hip operations, a knee operation and will need further operations.

 

Rod had two seasons with Parramatta, 1957 and 1958, playing three first grade games with the Eels. He was captain/coach of Richmond from 1959 to 1967 in the Parramatta A grade competition and won this Premiership three times in 1961, 1964 and 1967.

 

Rod also coached the Penrith Presidents Cup team in 1968, moving to the Windsor club in 1969 and 1970. He coached Windsor to their first ever title in 1970 and a couple of years ago, was named their ‘Coach of the Century’.

 

During the visit Rod mentioned to Johnny Raper, “Remember in 1958, Newtown played Parramatta at Henson Park, you played five eighth for Newtown and I was the Parramatta lock.”

 

Newtown won the game 20-15.

NEWTOWN 20 (John Raper 2, Bob Whitton, Kevin Considine tries; Gordon Clifford 4 goals) PARRAMATTA 15 (Bruce Mann, Ray Burke, Bob Hansen tries; John Slade 2, Ken Stubbs goals)

 

Rodney definitely appreciated the visit from the Men of League patrons.