Bob O'Reilly
Front Row
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2002
- Date of Birth:
- 16 February 1949
- Birthplace:
- Rocklea, QLD
- Nickname:
- The Bear
- Debut Team:
- Parramatta
- Date:
- 02 April 1967
- Opposition:
- -
- Venue:
- Cumberland Oval
- Representative:
- NSW City Firsts, NSW Firsts, NSW City Seconds, Australia
- Club:
- Parramatta, Penrith, Eastern Suburbs
Career
Milestones
- The Ashes - 1974
- World Cup - 1970
- Test Series - Australia vs New Zealand 1972, France vs Australia 1973/74
- Interstate Series - 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
- NSWRFL Premiership (NRL) - 1981
- Preseason Cup - 1975, 1979
- Midweek Cup - 1978, 1980
Biography
A Guildford junior, Bob O'Reilly was the first Parramatta junior to represent Australia while playing for the Club in 1970. He made his First Grade debut in 1967, quickly forging a reputation as a bruising prop forward and earning the nickname of “The Bear”.
Chosen for Australia in the 1970 World Cup, he proved a major force in Australia’s brutal win over Great Britain in the final.
Bob was appointed first grade captain in 1972 and 1973. He played in the Eels’ first grand final victory in 1981 and an ankle injury forced him into retirement in 1982.
Bob became an assistant Parramatta coach to John Monie before becoming a lower grade coach under Mick Cronin in the early 1990s.
Hall of Fame Members
Parramatta Eels 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.