Vale – Football Club Life Member Peter O’Brien

North Sydney District Rugby League Football Club 1952 - New South Wales Rugby League Finalists.

The North Sydney Club would like to express condolences to the family and friends of the late Peter O’Brien who passed away Sunday, November 13, 2016.

To rise from last place in the Premiership to be Finalists in the next season would be considered a great feat by any Club in any era. This is exactly what North Sydney achieved in the 1952 Season with the help of talented winger Peter O’Brien.

Peter O’Brien was a talented back who in 1952 was the season’s leading try scorer. Blessed with great speed and a tricky sidestep, in that season O’Brien equalled Cec Blinkhorn’s club record of 20 tries in the main Premiership Competition.

Peter played over 100 first grade games for Norths [103] from 1949 to 1955 and is the third highest try scorer for the Club with 77. It took the likes of Cec Blinhorn with 79, and Ken Irvine 171 to deny him the top spot. Peter is on the list of all-time top try scorers with 77 tries 231 points in 103 games from 1949 to 1955.

Peter went into an administrative role for the Club once he retired from Football.

Peter O’Brien was part of one of the Club’s most successful teams in history. The 1952 side made a then record ten S.C.G. appearances during the season, the last three being in the Semi-Final series. North Sydney thrashed Manly 36-8 in a play-off for fourth position before easily accounting for St George 21-9 in the Minor Semi.

View the original report of Norths win over St George “NORTH SWEEPS INTO FINAL: RALLY IS SUSTAINED” from the Sunday Herald.

It took defending Premiers South Sydney, to end Norths run to the Grand Final, by defeating them in the Final, 26-12. However, Norths had forged a major rivalry with Souths and took sweet revenge thrashing the Rabbitohs 43-13 in the following season’s first ‘Match of the Day’.

FUNERAL DETAILS

Note: St Marys Church is located directly opposite North Sydney Oval. For all transport and parking options, please go to our VENUE INFORMATION page.

Date: Tuesday, 22 November 2016
Time: 1:00 pm
Location:
St Marys Church
264 Miller Street
NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060
Parking: Council carpark located on Ridge Street.

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