Australian rugby league legend and team of the century hooker Noel Kelly passed away on Sunday afternoon, aged 84.
The legendary hard man played 28 Tests for the Kangaroos and three NSWRL grand finals for his beloved Western Suburbs Magpies, where he built a formidable reputation over 111 games.
On Sunday night ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said Kelly will be remembered as one of rugby league’s greatest players.
“He was the first front rower to tour with the Kangaroos three times on the 1959-60, 1963-64 and 1967-68 tours, a feat that will forever be etched in rugby league history,” he said.
“A deserved member of the National Rugby League Hall of Fame, ‘Ned’ as he was fondly known, was an uncompromising forward.
“As tough as they came, he was sent off 17 times playing for his beloved Wests.
“His send-off 90 seconds into the 1967 second Test again New Zealand will always remain part of our folklore.”
Kelly’s achievements on the field have been acknowledged in an array of ways.
Noel Kelly. (Image: Creative Commons/Flickr)
As well as being named in the team of the century, he was listed among the 100 greatest players over the first century of the game by the ARL in 2008.
He was also named captain and hooker of the Wests Magpies’ team of the century in 2004.
But perhaps his biggest legacy is his generosity and compassion with the Men of League Foundation, of which he was a founding member.
“Noel Kelly will forever be remembered as one of the game’s all-time greats. His loss today will be felt throughout the rugby league community,” V’landys said.
“On behalf of the game I send my condolences to Noel’s family and friends.”
Big Daddy
Guest
Phil, their local drinking hole was the Railway at Lidcombe. Many a match plan was Hatched their.
Womblat
Guest
My bad, apologies to Peter and whomever else was offended by my error. Maybe his seat could be taken by the great little man himself, Arthur Summons. Great memories, Phil.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Gotta love those old Magpies boys ! Just loved a stink back then .
beachart
Roar Rookie
The story goes that Peter Dimond gave Watson a whack on the way onto the field, to stir Cliff up . The tactic apparently worked as Watson spent the rest of the game trying to square up.
beachart
Roar Rookie
Peter Dimond is still with us it was his older brother Bobby Dimond who passed away 3 weeks ago. Bob also played for the Magpies and was the youngest Kangaroo (1948-9) until Peter took the mantle in 1958 when he and Vince Karalius were sent off in the 3rd Ashes Test. A couple of quiet brothers from Dapto.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Geez, Womblat, that drink in the sky could end up one wild event. Dimond and Donnelly were two very rough characters. Kel was the best of the lot but off the field was more subdued. Big Dallas is the only footballer I've known of to belt an opposing player before the game started. When Peter Dimond played for South Newcastle he stiff armed the Maitland 5/8 Alan West who was built like a stripling, and sent off at Maitland Sportsground. The crowd smelt blood and was about to rip into Dimond who demanded a police escort to leave the field. Later on he played for Maitland but was never accepted by the fans. Kel also played for Maitland in 1965 coming out of retirement to captain/coach the team when the CC went down for the year. Kel was very popular in town leading his team to victory in the GF against Souths. He kicked a goal on full time having never kicked before then was attacked by the mother of the Souths lock forward. Talk about swinging handbags. Ah, the memories.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Hey Albo, I remember you on those KB cans. You were yelling "go Johnny go" when he scored. My memories of that day were mostly of peanut vendors walking amongst us in the cheap seats on the hill spruiking 'very fresh, very nice peanuts." Never eaten peanuts since. Peter Dimond featured in that game milking a a send off for Cliff Watson for kicking. Watson declared after the game that if he had have kicked Dimond he would not have played on. That was my first time at the SCG being just a teenager living up country. Yeah, memories.
Womblat
Guest
I had a bourbon with Ned in Bay 13 at Goodna one day. Knew there was a connection somewhere.
Womblat
Guest
He'll be waiting for ya in the Past Magpies Old Boys club in the sky having a beer dude, alongside Peter Dimond, Dallas Donnelly and Kel O'Shea. I'll bet they'll have a yarn for you too.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Hi Phil, I was the one standing on a double set of steel beer cans just to see above heads in front, just in front of the old Brewongle Stand . In the corner where Johnny King scored from that Artie Beetson kick ahead ! Old time memories .
WESTS for Life
Roar Rookie
R.I.P. Noel Kelly, one of the Mighty Magpies greats. You remained convinced rite till the end, the 1963 G.F. was rigged, and so am I. I hope I am lucky enough to have a chat with you one day.
chris
Guest
And you forgot Col Pearce on that panel haha. The ex-ref who was the only calm one on that whole panel.
chris
Guest
What about the Fabiani shirt? Or was that On Ron Casey's show? :)
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Don't forget the Meapro Ham and a voucher to Viking Sauna.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
My recollection of him with Rex and the team is of a real character but he must have been a proper thug to be sent off 17 times in those days. I’m sure there are many opponents who didn’t like him or that he crafted an image of a lovable rogue.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
It'd be great if Lordy can give a tribute as he'd be the last link to this wonderful era, which gave so much joy to a lot of people.
sheek
Roar Guru
Back in the day when rugby league scrums were fair dinkum, Kelly would test the resolve of young up & coming opposing props by insisting his team had the loosehead irrespective of whether they had the feed or not. If the young prop acquiesced, Kelly lost respect for him immediately. But if his opponent fought for the right to have the loosehead on the feed, he would win Kelly’s respect. Great player & even greater human being.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Hosted by the King of Tautology, Rex Mossop. Rex was before his time with his reference to " forward progress" as nowadays we hear "moving forward" used. Memories of the panel: Easts legend Ferris Ashton, Alan Clarkson "Ned" Kelly" discussing "pertinent Rugby League matters". The Commonwealth Bank passing competition & one of the prizes was Patra orange juice.
kk
Roar Pro
Fore!
Phil
Roar Rookie
R.I.P. Noel Kelly. Never met him but saw him play a couple of times for Wests and also the third test in '66 against the poms. I see Albo was there also to see one wild test match. Ned wasn't a big man, played at about 90-93 kg and held his own against anyone. It was a very brutal era he played in, punches, stiff arms, eye gouging, elbows, knees and anything else that could be used. He came out of it a very well respected man by his peers