The NRL is in mourning today after news broke rugby league Immortal Norm Provan has passed away. He was 88.
The St George legend played in 10 of the Dragons’ extraordinary 11 consecutive premierships, including the last four as captain-coach – both Australian records unlikely to be broken anytime soon.
Provan had been battling dementia for a number of years.
His name is forever immortalised as part of the Provan-Summons Trophy awarded to the NRL premiers, with the photograph of the pair following the 1963 grand final, known as ‘The Gladiators’ one of the sport’s most enduring.
Provan played 256 games for the Dragons during their era of dominance between 1951 to 1965, a club record that stood for nearly 50 years. His status as one of rugby league’s greatest second-rowers was secured when he was named the game’s 13th Immortal in 2018.
Three years earlier in 2015, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Named in the second-row in the Australian rugby league team of the century, Provan also featured in 18 Tests for Australia and earned 20 representative jumpers for NSW.
Tributes are pouring in for the man affectionately known as ‘Sticks’, described as a ‘gentle giant’ in the often brutal world of rugby league.
Provan’s passing continues a year marked by the loss of a number of the game’s greats, including fellow Immortal Bob Fulton in May and the beloved Tommy Raudonikis in April. Summons, to whom Provan’s name will be eternally linked, passed away in May 2020.
“I’m very, very proud,” Provan said in 2015 of the use of his and Summons’ iconic photograph as the basis for the premiership trophy in their name.
“No matter we’re only made out of brass… it’s been a big part of my life and of Arthur’s.”
Earlier this year, legendary coach Wayne Bennett paid the ultimate tribute to Provan’s standing in the game.
““I don’t know anybody in the game who did more than Norm Provan,” Bennett sai.
“He was part of 10 premierships … we all fight hard to win one and he won 10.
“He was a superstar of his era… he epitomises what the game is about.”
Tony
Roar Guru
And you are right
Rossi
Roar Rookie
There's some that would be good in any era, and he's one of em. With his smarts and fitness, and he was quick for such a big man, he'd have been a great lock or edge forward in today's game. In my opinion every one of the Immortals would have been successful in any era, they are all great footballers who had a hunger to succeed as well as their natural talents
Birdy
Roar Rookie
RIP Norm Provan. Tough man from a tough era.
Paul
Roar Guru
yeah, this manhug stuff does nothing for me. A hand shake and maybe a pat on the back is still good enough, IMO.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Thanking you for your article. A legend, an immortal, holder of numerous records, a wonderful player from the second row, a great captain coach, and a very good man from all accounts. Fitting that he retired as captain-coach in the 1965 GF against Souths, victorious with his tenth premiership. Much loved, respected and admired by The Saints…The Dragons…The SGI Dragons… and the Rugby League world. Rest peacefully our immortal, gone but never ever forgotten.
Hoy
Roar Guru
What I truly like, is that I believe it was after a Grand Final, and one of them lost, the other won, and they were both OK... The carry on these days is a bit over the top for me... I would like it if upon winning, the first thing the winners did, was shake hands with the losers... Not run and jump and hug each other etc... but then, that might be a bit old fashioned.
GWSingapore
Roar Rookie
I wonder if he would play rugby league today. His height and physique appear more likely a rugby union lock or number 8. What do others think?
Mike Bradley
Roar Rookie
Without doubt, Norm Provan was the heart and soul of the Saints during the clubs 11 year premiership reign. Even as a Rooster supporter since 1952, Provan was the hallmark of the greatest 2nd rower to play the game. He played very tough but fair asked no quarter and gave no quarter. A gentleman of the great game. RIP
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Vale Norm, an immortal of the game. I truly believe the Provan-Summons trophy is the best sporting trophy in the world.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Well said
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Great story mate. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
There's one entity that could Phil, and Provan is watching old YouTube replays with him now.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Norm and Big Kel were regarded as the best 2nd row pair to have played for Australia. I never saw Norm play but did get to see Kel when he played for Maitland in his post Wests career. Kel came out of retirement to captain/coach Maitland in 1965 when their coach went down injured and was out for the season. Kel was sensational in the eyes of us youngsters being a yard or two above his opposition. The only player to give Kel problems throughout the comp was Don Schofield from Cessnock who was a former international himself. In the '65 grand final Maitland defeated South Newcastle and Kel was so dominant, the mother of South's lock, Barry Lawrence, attacked Kel after the final bell as he walked from the field,belting him with her handbag. Kel was very well accepted in the Maitland area as the publican of the Volunteer pub. Everyone liked Kel the same as people liked Norm. Norm and Kel, what a twosome.
Observer
Roar Rookie
I am not a league fan and I dislike the code's culture but ... Norm Provan was something else. I was coaching his grandson 30 years ago in rugby union in Caloundra where the big man had business interests with his wife. During the game big Norm came from the other side of the field to talk to me and ask questions about the game. His grandson was playing prop and Norm queried me about this and that until I began to feel a little embarrassed. In the end I said to him "look Norm, you are a legend of rugby league. You will have forgotten more about footy than I will probably ever know" or words to that effect. He was having none of that and chatted on and he thanked me for talking to him. I never forgot his humility, modesty and good grace. In life if you are remembered as a good bloke you will have done well. But Norm will be remembered as a great. Vale Norm
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Real life trumps a game and honour and respect trumps tribalism. True greatness is not measured by your achievements but in how much you have touched and influenced others. Provan did plenty on that score.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
One thing about Rugby League, we all put our differences aside to honour the greats. Bob Fulton played for and coached many a hated Manly side but everyone acknowledged him, same with Tommy etc. Even the Roosters put out a tweet in Norm's honour, and Souths fans etc. here. I hope the Dragons acknowledge him next season, dedicate a round or even a jersey to our greatest skipper
Rossi
Roar Rookie
I've obviously never met him but he just seemed like he was a genuinely good man, the perfect poster boy for RL; great player, great leader, clean without being a choirboy, hard yet a gentleman. And according to Ashton Sims the biggest hand he ever shook!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
A good man, a fine footballer who attained excellence, an exceptional leader - I saw Provan with Kel O'Shea in my earliest contact with the game, tall rangy fellas in a colossal second row partnership ... and I decided then that I wanted to be like O'Shea! :stoked: I am pleased I was there at the Cricket Ground for the '63 Grand Final in the mud, just moments into my teens, a famous day. Big blond Denis Meaney was flattened at one stage in the middle of the field, the play moved on and no-one knew he was there until he emerged from the mud to regain his feet. As for those Penrith boofheads who a week ago treated the trophy like a toy? - adults who have no idea, the modern game's best. They do not deserve to be in the same room as the men portrayed. Now the great man is gone and I am happy for him, knowing that dementia got him in recent years. May the Good Lord bless him.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I just picked up “March of the Dragons” by Ian Heads and it opened at page 78, titled “Sticks” – a Raw-boned Giant, when I dropped it onto the coffee table. He played 256 games from 1951-1965 and scored 63 tries and 1 goal in 1961. He scored 11 tries in 1958 and 1959. From late 1958 to early 1960 they were unbeaten. They had a 20 all draw with Balmain at Kogarah on 30/05/59.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
A sad day for the game. One of it's great champions is gone. But "Sticks" will always be remembered as a Rugby League Immortal and as one of the game's two iconic figures on the Provan-Summons trophy. If ever there was a player that dominated his generation and influenced the game, Provan was that man. He was the backbone of the Dragon's 11 straight premiership victories. R.I.P. Norm Provan.