Photos and information courtesy of Michael Curin
The NSWRL was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of True Blue and South Sydney Rabbitohs premiership-winner John Dougherty, aged 94.
Born on 18 April 1931 in Newcastle, Dougherty went to Marist Brothers Hamilton which also produced Rugby League Immortal Clive Churchill. His Rugby League journey took him to Warren in Group 15 in 1951 after being sent there in line with his role as a teacher and he steered them to back-to-back premierships in 1951-52. He also represented Riverina and Western Districts which caught the attention of Souths and he was signed to the club in 1953.
A talented five-eighth, Dougherty also made his first grade debut for the Rabbitohs against Newtown in Round Two in 1953 and went on to play in three straight premiership-winning teams from 1953-55, scoring tries in the 1953-54 Grand Finals.
He represented NSW on six occasions in the 1954 and 1956 interstate series, which were both claimed by NSW. He scored a try in Game One of the 1954 series and managed only one more game before being forced to withdraw with a leg injury. He played all four games in the 1956 series, crossing the line for a try in Games One and Three. He was considered unlucky not to represent Australia, with injury costing him a chance in 1956, and Churchill would later claim Dougherty was one of the greatest players to never play for his country.
After 56 games with the Rabbitohs, Dougherty played for St Patrick’s Bathurst in Group 10 before finishing his career with Central Charlestown in 1960-61. He attended the 2014 Grand Final with his family to watch the Rabbitohs end a 43-year premiership drought.
The NSWRL extends its sincere condolences to the many friends and family of John Dougherty.
