Rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton passes away, aged 73

Even though these days I don't follow league, it's been nearly 10 years. I was born into a maroon and white family from the northern beaches. On the day of his funeral I will wear my retro Manly jersey with collar and a lace.

Sorry, that should read anything less than an immortal !

As a youngster and mad rugby league kid, I thought Bozo was a bit of a show pony who could score a few tries , but was a bit of a "cream puff "! I completely changed my view of the man watching the 1970 World Cup final - " The Battle of Headingly" - The English team were awesome in those days. They had won the Ashes against us earlier that year and they had won all 3 lead up World Cup games including beating us 11-4. Australia , New Zealand & France all won just one match , and Australia got through to the final on for and against points. The final was brutal with claret flying everywhere. The English pack with the likes of Cliff Watson , Doug Laughton & Mal Reilly were tough beasts, and I can still see our props John O'Neill & Bob O'Reilly with faces covered in blood ripping into the English pack. Coat hangers & punch ups were the order of the day. But the toughest of them all that day was our five eighth Bobby Fulton, who was targeted heavily by the pommies all match. But Bozo kept taking the ball forward and getting bashed . He led the way for his team and got them home 12-7 to win the Cup. From that day, I have never questioned Bozo as anything more than an immortal. R.I.P.

Sports Lover - true.

Is this Schuster related to the AB Schuster who played for Newcastle (?)?

Like many mature age players coming towards the end of their careers, Fulton adopted a more tactical kicking and passing game that was beautiful to watch. His 1960s to early to mid 70s style was explosive evasive running that had defenders clutching at thin air. He was also a reliable and rugged defender but it was his ability to see gaps and accelerate through them that will always stay in my mind.

Not all Sydney folk tried tried to denigrate Lewis. It’s true there was a vocal minority of fans that were so one eyed that they couldn’t recognise a true champion if they were playing fir the opposition. But in my circles I never met one NSW fan that didn’t recognise Lewis’ brilliance, and that includes the NSW based media. On another topic, it’s impossible to compare Lewis to Fulton. They were both champions with different game styles that were equally effective. Vale Bozo and my sympathies to hie family and many friends.

I agree

To compare players after they've passed away doesn't really make a lot of sense. There is was only 1 Arthur Beetson, 1 Tommy, and 1 Bozo and they were legends for being themselves same as Wally. They are remembered for their own indivuality.

RIP legend. As a little side note, was lovely to see Josh Schuster play so well against Parra yesterday, given Bob and Scott Fulton were instrumental in scouting him and bringing him across to Manly.

My apologies to JGK.

I agree with all the Roarers who obviously followed Fulton’s career closely. I won’t repeat much of what has already been written. Here is my perspective. Bozo was ahead of his time with physical fitness. He had superb balance and a low centre of gravity which made him difficult to tackle. He could accelerate from a standing start to top speed within 10 metres. In summary, I’m any era under any conditions he would still be a true champion.

He wasn't all that big, but was both fit and tough. I reckon he was around 5' 10" and no more than 13 stone

Hi BD. It was JGK who wrote the great article you refer to :happy:

I never saw Lewis dominate anything, he got Vautin, Lidner, and the rest revved up and brainwashed in Origin where they played well above what they did in the NRL. Lewis yes went up a gear in State of Origin from first to second gear whereas his teammates went from third to fifth. Test werent first level from the 80's onward and Lewis didnt put any extra effort into them anyway. He did get owned by Olsen Fillapaina from Balmain reserve grade in one test who put in a big effort that day whereas in the NRL he couldn't seem to be bothered. Does that make Olsen fillapaina the greatest ever, he performed at the highest level lets forget about his NRL performance. Fulton was a proper player and great in every aspect of the game including defence and workrate. I only saw the tail end of Fultons career from the mid 70's where he declined as he got older so I imagine he was quite player before that. Fulton did try hard still just lost his speed. Beetson the reverse the older he got the less effort he put in and he was too olo to go up any gears when I saw him.

Very sad day for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Today, a moments of silence was being held to remember Bob Fulton who sadly passed away aged 74. Thoughts are with the family.

He's the only Immortal from Manly so hard to disagree.

Too young :crying:

So very well said as he really set the RL world on fire when he came along, most games against us he was the difference in those days and won Manly those games, that is what I was trying to say as I attended all those games and saw it with my own eyes. It’s a sad day as we are losing all these legends of that era.