Wally O'Connell OAM was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
11 Facts About Wally O'Connell
1.
2.
Wally O'Connell was a five-eighth for the Australian national team.
3.
Wally O'Connell played in ten Tests between 1948 and 1951 as captain on one occasion.
4.
Wally O'Connell was the Roosters' pivot in their 1945 premiership final victory over Balmain.
5.
Wally O'Connell spent the 1949 season as captain-coach with Christian Brothers Wollongong.
6.
The Easts committee were dissatisfied with residential evidence Wally O'Connell was able to table for himself and sought proof that Wally O'Connell's wife had already made the move to Manly.
7.
Wally O'Connell was unable to provide this on-the-spot at the meeting, the transfer was blocked and on principle he chose to sit out the 1950 season thereby jeopardizing his representative career.
8.
Wally O'Connell played two seasons with Manly as captain-coach leading them to 2nd place on the 1951 competition ladder and to the club's first Grand final appearance.
9.
Wally O'Connell was unable to play in that match due to a fractured bone in his wrist, so was forced to watch from the sideline as his team lost to Souths by a record grand final margin.
10.
In retirement Wally O'Connell commenced a media career calling rugby league games for Sydney radio on 2UW.
11.
Wally O'Connell was Australia's oldest living Test captain up until his death on 28 June 2017, at the age of 94.