With Greg Dowling announcing that he was running for the seat of Herbert in the 2019 Federal Election, we thought it was time to reflect on the Great Rugby League Politics Converts.
Rugby League and politics go hand in hand, just have a look at former Qld Premier Peter “Messi” Beattie being in charge of the NRL commission. And a look at the politics of the NRL draw thanks to Channel Nein.
It’s not as if most politicians have to be much smarter or better at a public persona / social media than a rugby league player, so it makes sense there’s a Rugby League Politics crossover.
But which footballers have taken the next step to serving their communities, and not the usual type of community service you’d expect from rugby league players.
Great Rugby League Politics Converts
MAL MENINGA
Possibly the most infamous Rugby League Politics conversion of all time, if only for its briefness.
Having walked into the ABC studio to announce his nomination for politics, that career was ended mid interview, as the footage of his political career shows.
At the end of the day who cares about that few seconds public service. The service to Queensland and Australian rugby league is most legendary.
GLENN LAZARUS
The Brick with Eyes did get further than former Canberra Raiders team mate Mal Meninga, as he made it to Canberra as part of the Clive Palmer senate ticket in Queensland for the 2013 Federal election.
He eventually left the Palmer Party in May 2015 to run as an independent first, and then created a new political party – the Glenn Lazarus Team in July 2015.
It didn’t end up going too successfully, as Lazarus and anyone nominated for their party didn’t get enough votes to represent anyone at the 2016 Election.
Probably the best of the modern bunch of Rugby League Politics Converts.
BARRY GOMERSALL
Known to many as “The Grasshopper” and to a few in NSW as that “biased skinny Queensland referee from the 80’s”.
Whilst he was no Mogsheen Jadwat as a referee, some of his best work often led to Queensland victories in the 1980’s State of Origin contests.
After retiring from guiding Queensland to many Origin wins, he took up politics. Or tried to.
The Grasshopper had the unenviable task of trying to win the central Queensland seat of Mirani as non LNP candidate. He tried three times from 1995 to 2001, twice as an ALP representative and the final attempt as an independent. He actually got more first preference votes in the 1998 election as an ALP candidate, but lost out on Two Party preferred as One Nation and Nationals teamed up to beat him by 6%.
PAUL OSBOURNE
Paul Osbourne has done plenty in his life – played rugby league for Canberra and St George, was CEO of Parramatta, and commentated on the ABC Grandstand call team.
In among all of that, he was involved in politics in the ACT.
In a similar timeframe to the above Grasshopper, Osborne has much greater success.
He won the election in 1995 for the seat of Brindabella in the ACT and then was re-elected in 1998 under his own created party – Osborne Independents Group.
He eventually lost his party and had to run as an independent for 2001, which saw him bow out of politics after a turbulent few years in the game.
MIKE CLEARY
Even more impressive is Mike Cleary, who played rugby union for the Wallabies, international rugby league for Australia, and won a bronze medal at the 1962 Commonwealth Games.
On top of all that he was in NSW politics as the member of Coogee from 1974 to 1991, and was a minister for seven years during that time.
He also then went on to director roles at sports clubs, and a gig on Sky Channel.
JOHN ARTHUR FIHELLY
Possibly the original rugby league politics convert, and the most obscure one we could find.
Fihelly was part of rugby league actually forming in Queensland, and he went on the very first overseas trip of Australian players to the UK.
After taking up admin roles, he went on to politics, and was a member for Paddington between 1912 and 1922. He was even a minister and Attorney-General. A role that could be very handy for the modern-day rugby league player.
Potential Future Great Rugby League Politics Converts
After a few of the best that have happened, how about a handful of the ones we’d love to see.
ISRAEL FOLAU
Given his recent controversial comments, which has led to his rugby union playing career being in jeopardy, he could have a lot of spare time that he could spend serving the Queensland people.
Some of his comments would no doubt not sit well with many voters, but since he’s a Queenslander he wouldn’t be alone in being a controversial politician.
He certainly wouldn’t be the first Queensland politician to say/do something controversial and be completely fine about it.
CAMERON SMITH
Since he currently plays, referees, and coaches rugby league all at once, surely he could run for a seat in parliament at the same time.
He might be able to get a vote on having the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal affected premierships reinstated or at least Cronulla’s voided.
SCOTT MINTO
Man of the people, a potential good news story for rugby league politics converts.
He already has a statue in his honour, which could be moved to any electorate that would love to have the former rugby league great as their elected official.
“The People’s Immortal” should be working for the people full-time.
JOHN HOPOATE
Australian politics has seen plenty of different personalities over the years, but few of them would be more interesting than John Hopoate.
If elected to wherever, there certainly wouldn’t be dull day.
[…] [ April 29, 2019 ] Great Rugby League Politics Converts Gurgler Selects […]