Merv Lees
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Mervyn John Lees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1932-11-01)1 November 1932 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | May 11, 2018(2018-05-11) (aged 85–86) Caringbah, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mervyn John Lees (1932-2018) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s. He was a premiership-winning centre with the St George Dragons and a state representative.
Career
Merv 'Smacka' Lees played five seasons at the St George Dragons between 1953-1958 and began his rugby league career at the Banksia Waratahs R.L.F.C. as a child. He went on to win a premiership with St George in 1956 under coach Norm Tipping, and also played in the 1953 grand final side that were runners up. Injuries curtailed his career, and he retired in 1959.
Lees was a prolific tryscorer. His best performance was possibly on 24 July 1954 in a club first grade game against the North Sydney Bears at the Sydney Cricket Ground when he scored five tries.[2]
Lees represented New South Wales on four occasions between 1954-1955 which included the infamous 'Abandoned Game' against the touring English team on 10 July 1954 at the S.C.G.[3]
A newspaper article in the St. George and Sutherland Shire Leader in 2012 regarding Merv Lees' 80th birthday suggested he was still in good health and still had many great memories of his playing career for the St George Dragons and N.S.W.[4] Lees was an active member of the Men Of League Foundation during his final years.[5]
Death
Lees died on 11 May 2018 aged 85.[6][7]
References
- ^ "Merv Lees - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org.
- ^ "Norths Dragon in League Rout Reverse". Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954). 1954. p. 32.
- ^ Alan Whitiker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, 1995. (ISBN 1875169571).
- ^ St. George Sutherland Shire Leader.(Article) by Brad Forest 14/11/2012 (http://www.theleader.com.au/story/955379/lees-recalls-ugly-farce-of-54/)
- ^ "A visit to Merv Lees - Men of League Foundation". menofleague.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018.
- ^ "Vale Merv Lees". 12 May 2018.
- ^ Death Notice. The Leader 16 Jun 2018. http://tributes.theleader.com.au/obituaries/theleader-au/obituary.aspx?n=mervyn-john-lees&pid=189005217
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St. George Dragons squad – 1956 NSWRFL Premiers (3rd Title)
- 1 Doug Fleming
- 2 Ross Kite
- 3 Merv Lees
- 4 Kevin O'Brien
- 5 Tommy Ryan
- 6 Peter Carroll
- 7 Bob Bugden
- 8 Kevin Brown
- 9 Ken Kearney (c)
- 10 Bryan Orrock
- 11 Harry Melville
- 12 Norm Provan
- 13 Billy Wilson
- Coach: Norm Tipping
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