Ray Stehr
Front Row
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2012
- Date of Birth:
- 24 January 1913
- Birthplace:
- Warialda, NSW
- Nickname:
- -
- Debut Team:
- Eastern Suburbs
- Date:
- 20 April 2021
- Opposition:
- University
- Venue:
- Sydney Sports Ground
Biography
Ray Stehr, Sydney Rooster #190, was aged just 16 years and 85 days when he made his regular competition debut - still the youngest ever first-grade Australian player to do so.
He played 174 games for Eastern Suburbs between 1929-46 and was a member of the side that lost just one match over the three seasons between 1935, 1936 and 1937, winning the premiership across each of those seasons. He won additional premierships with Easts in 1940 and 1945.
Hall Of Fame | Ray Stehr
After retirement in 1946, he remained involved with the game, coaching Manly in 1947-48 and Easts in 1949. He later wrote a column for many years in a Sydney newspaper and worked in television media. He was also club president at Easts.
In 1961 he was the commentator for the first Australian Rugby League match ever broadcast live. His typical sign-off call in the media was always "Easts To Win!”.
"The only thing I'm asking is that no player leaves the field with anything less than a broken arm or leg."
Ray Stehr To his teammates before the 1940 Grand Final
Hall of Fame Members
Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
