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Journey Man
Former Manly-Warringah first grade player and coach Anthony Heather "Tony" Paskins has passed away at the age of 91.
Paskins (born in Sydney around 1927-28), was a product of the Randwick Rugby Club and first played senior rugby league for Workington Town in England in 1948 after being discovered by their playing coach and Great Britain captain Gus Risman during the Lions 1946 Australasian tour. A goal kicking centre three-quarter, he was a member of Workington's Challenge Cup winning side in 1952 when they defeated Featherstone Rovers 18-10 at Wembley. He stayed at Workington, reaching the Cup Final again in 1955 (this time a 21-12 loss to Barrow) before returning to Sydney to join Easts, playing 54 games for the Chooks from 1955-58 until going bush to play for Oberon located in the central tablelands of NSW. During his time at Easts, he was chosen to represent NSW against the touring Kiwis in 1956.
While playing for Oberon, Paskins was named captain-coach of Country Firsts in 1961-62, leading Country to shock wins over City in both years and was rewarded in 1962 by being named captain of NSW for their two games at the SCG against the touring Great Britain Lions. Unfortunately however, test selection for Australia would elude him throughout his career.
In 1963, Paskins was lured back to Sydney where he joined Manly-Warringah for two years and was actually the playing captain-coach of the side in 1963, coming away with a 7-11 W/L record. Although he was replaced as Manly coach by Russell Papperell in 1964, Paskins stayed on at Brookvale for that year before again going bush to play for Narrabri.
Tony Paskins was the last ever player-coach of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
In 1967 he moved to Forster on the mid-north NSW coast. In 1968 he became captain-coach of the Forster Hawks, taking the club to the local premiership in 1968 and the Grand Final in 1969 and 1970.
In 1973 he was back in Sydney as coach of 1972 NSWRFL runner-up Easts taking over from Don Furner. Although guiding the Chooks to a 12-10 record, they finished 6th and missed the Finals. He was replaced as Easts coach by Jack Gibson in 1974.
Condolences to his family and friends.
Paskins (born in Sydney around 1927-28), was a product of the Randwick Rugby Club and first played senior rugby league for Workington Town in England in 1948 after being discovered by their playing coach and Great Britain captain Gus Risman during the Lions 1946 Australasian tour. A goal kicking centre three-quarter, he was a member of Workington's Challenge Cup winning side in 1952 when they defeated Featherstone Rovers 18-10 at Wembley. He stayed at Workington, reaching the Cup Final again in 1955 (this time a 21-12 loss to Barrow) before returning to Sydney to join Easts, playing 54 games for the Chooks from 1955-58 until going bush to play for Oberon located in the central tablelands of NSW. During his time at Easts, he was chosen to represent NSW against the touring Kiwis in 1956.
While playing for Oberon, Paskins was named captain-coach of Country Firsts in 1961-62, leading Country to shock wins over City in both years and was rewarded in 1962 by being named captain of NSW for their two games at the SCG against the touring Great Britain Lions. Unfortunately however, test selection for Australia would elude him throughout his career.
In 1963, Paskins was lured back to Sydney where he joined Manly-Warringah for two years and was actually the playing captain-coach of the side in 1963, coming away with a 7-11 W/L record. Although he was replaced as Manly coach by Russell Papperell in 1964, Paskins stayed on at Brookvale for that year before again going bush to play for Narrabri.
Tony Paskins was the last ever player-coach of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
In 1967 he moved to Forster on the mid-north NSW coast. In 1968 he became captain-coach of the Forster Hawks, taking the club to the local premiership in 1968 and the Grand Final in 1969 and 1970.
In 1973 he was back in Sydney as coach of 1972 NSWRFL runner-up Easts taking over from Don Furner. Although guiding the Chooks to a 12-10 record, they finished 6th and missed the Finals. He was replaced as Easts coach by Jack Gibson in 1974.
Condolences to his family and friends.
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