Bobby DIMOND 

1930- 2020

Bobby Dimond Wests Player number 476 (1950) played with Wests in 1950 and 1951.

Playing a total of 23 First Grade game and 4 Reserve Grade games. Bob scored 12 tries in the 23 games.

Bobby Dimond in 1948.

Below is a small sample of the Rugby League life and times of

Bobby Dimond.

1948

An outstanding all round athlete as a young boy, Bob was a champion sprinter, footballer and cricketer while a student at Dapto Primary School.

He joined the local rugby league club in 1945 and did well with the under 17 team. 

The next year, on 14 July 1946, while still just 16, he made his First Grade debut at Wollongong Showground in Dapto’s 28-10 loss to Wollongong.

Playing mainly at outside centre, he established himself as a regular first grader in 1947 and moved up to the representative scene in 1948. After representing Illawarra seconds, he was selected for Group 7, followed by Combined Groups 6 and 7 and then for Southern Districts who were beaten 13-12 at Newcastle on 1 May.

After the Newcastle game, he was selected as a winger in the Country Seconds team to meet City Seconds but an injury saw him promoted to the Country Firsts side.

Although City won easily by 28-13, Bob impressed and was chosen for the NSW team to play Queensland at the SCG on 15 May.

In 1948, he finished with three games for NSW and also played for NSW Country against the touring New Zealanders at Wollongong on 23 May.

Bob is back row left.

Bob toured with the NSW team to Queensland and played in game 3 of the 4 game series.

Bob was only 18 when picked from Dapto to tour with the 1948/49 Kangaroos.

Souths were quick off the mark to show interest in the young 18 year old flyer from Dapto.

Bob did not play in any Tests on tour but did play in 15 games.

1949

 Bob again played for Dapto in 1949 and represented Country Firsts twice that year, against City Firsts and in the 18-6 win over Queensland on 19 June at Wollongong Showground. After returning home, Bob again played for Dapto in 1949 and represented Country Firsts twice that year, against City Firsts and in the 18-6 win over Queensland on 19 June at Wollongong Showground.

Bob playing for Country in 1949.

Good news for Wests.

Note the record bonus of 154 pounds. In today’s money that equals $9000.

1950

Bobby arrives in the Big Smoke.

In 1950, Bob moved to Sydney where he had two seasons with the Wests Magpies, scoring 12 tries in his 23 first grade games. He signed as captain/coach of the Picton club in Group 6 for the 1952 season but a broken leg in a motor bike accident in March resulted in him missing the entire season.

St. George offered him a contract for 1953 but after being selected in the First grade squad, he decided to accept a captain/coaching role at Kempsey

Injury will dog Bob through out his football career.

There were of course some good times in 1950.

A 2 try haul at Lidcombe Oval in 1950??

 

Great action photo of Bob in full flight.

Bob picked to play against the Poms for NSW.

 

Bob in his Wests jumper at NSW training.

Bob scored a try in this win over Easts.

1951

Bob played against the best in 1951.

Bob scores 2 tries V Saints

Bob scores 2 tries V St George at the SCG.

Bobs last game for Wests.

1952

Bob decided to go back to the Bush in 1952.

Bob had signed to play with Picton.

1954

Bob tries a comeback in 1954 with the St George team. Bob played in a few trails before giving the game away.