Ken Kearney
Year inducted: 2022
True Blue number: 451
Born: May 3, 1924, Penrith, NSW
Club: St George Dragons
Position: Hooker
Premiership career: (1952-61) 156 games, 18 tries
First Grade debut (Australia): St George Dragons v Western Suburbs Magpies at Kogarah Oval on March 29, 1952
Representative honours: Australia 31 Tests (1953-58); NSW 17 interstate matches (1953-58)
Other honours: NSWRL Player of the Year 1956; NRL Hall of Fame 2008
Kearney is credited with being the brains behind the historic run of 11 consecutive premierships from 1956-66 for St George Dragons. Originally starting his career in rugby union, Kearney switched codes in England before heading home to Australia. He brought with him a ruthless professionalism that he had learned overseas and led the Dragons to six consecutive premierships from 1956-61 (1956 as captain; 1957-61 as captain-coach). After a chronic knee injury ended his career, he also coached Parramatta Eels (1962-64), Western Suburbs Magpies (1965) and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (1967-69). He played 17 games for NSW and also represented Australia in 31 Tests from 1952-58.
New South Wales Rugby League respects and honours 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.
