1. John Skandalis was born on 16 June 1976 and is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a prop in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.
26 Facts About John Skandalis
1. 2.
John Skandalis played for the Western Suburbs Magpies and for the Wests Tigers in two separate spells in the National Rugby League.
3.
The Skandalis family home in Lightning Ridge burnt down when John was six, causing the family to move to Ashfield, and later Minto.
4.
John Skandalis' mother died when he was in his teens, leaving his father to raise John Skandalis and his sisters.
5.
John Skandalis signed on for the Magpies in the early 1990s after playing out his junior years with the Minto Cobras, and attending Sarah Redfern High School.
6.
John Skandalis scored their first try in their debut match on 6 February 2000, a 24-all draw against Brisbane at Campbelltown Stadium.
7.
John Skandalis was known for his workhorse attitude and his never say die approach to rugby league and as the years progressed his performances gradually caught the attention of representative selectors.
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John Skandalis was named the Wests Tigers' player of the year in 2002.
9.
John Skandalis was a member of the Wests Tigers team which won the 2005 NRL Grand Final against the Cowboys.
10.
John Skandalis was named in the Big League team of the year for the 2005 NRL season.
11.
John Skandalis held the record for the most first grade games for the Wests Tigers with 185 appearances.
12.
In 2012 the record was surpassed by Chris Heighington, though John Skandalis had previously played 64 games for Wests Magpies before the club merged.
13.
John Skandalis was the last original Western Suburbs player remaining at the Wests Tigers club after the merger in 2000.
14.
On 14 June 2006, John Skandalis signed a two-year contract to play in the Super League with the Huddersfield Giants, starting from the 2007 season.
15.
In 2008, John Skandalis was made vice-captain of the squad, alongside Ryan Hudson.
16.
John Skandalis led the team out against Wigan when regular captain Chris Thorman was injured.
17.
John Skandalis returned to Australia at the end of the 2008 season following a knee injury, picked up early in the season, which prevented him from participating further.
18.
John Skandalis took up a post with Wests Tigers Youth Development.
19.
In 2009, John Skandalis was named in the Wests Magpies NSW Cup side, but was recalled to the Wests Tigers team from round 11, after injuries to other players.
20.
John Skandalis remained in the first grade team for the rest of the season.
21.
John Skandalis is the oldest player to have played at the club, being 34 years and 73 days old in his last appearance for the club.
22.
John Skandalis donated the money to the Starlight Children's Foundation.
23.
John Skandalis has been made a life member of the Western Suburbs club.
24.
John Skandalis played for Greece in the 2009 Australian Mediterranean Shield.
25.
John Skandalis was removed from the position with the arrival of new coach Jason Taylor in 2014, but remained in the club in other roles.
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John Skandalis has been involved in the Macquarie Fields Finding Jobs, Changing Lives program, helping troubled youth from the Macquarie Fields area.