RAY STEHR

Eons before Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen – there was Ray Stehr. While the likes of Williams and Gallen have spent some of their time in the boxing ring while still enjoying success on the football field, Stehr did it decades prior.

In the October 11th 1941 issue of The Sydney Morning Herald: “Ray Stehr, International Rugby League forward, Is to oppose the Lithgow boxer, Les McNabb, at the Leichhardt Stadium on October 30… At Rushcutters Bay, Stehr knocked out Phil Richards In the third round. Stehr has since concentrated on football with singular success. Stehr will weigh In the vicinity of 15st 41b, while McNabb weighs 21st. Stehr Is in splendid condition after the football season”.

As a boy, Stehr spent over a full year in plaster as a blood clot in his spine threatened to make him a cripple. But Stehr bounced back and would soon become one of the feared forwards in the NSWRL.

At the tender age of just 16 years and 85 days, Stehr make his first grade debut – a record that still stands today.

Stehr also led Eastern Suburbs to premiership glory pre and post-World War II, carving his name as a legend of Easts, NSW and Australia in a career that spanned 18 seasons.