Ray Price
Lock
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2002
- Date of Birth:
- 04 March 1953
- Birthplace:
- St Leonards, NSW
- Nickname:
- Mr Perpetual Motion or Pricey
- Debut Team:
- Parramatta
- Date:
- 21 March 1976
- Opposition:
- -
- Venue:
- Cumberland Oval
- Representative:
- City, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania
- Club:
- Parramatta, Wakefield Trinity
Career
Milestones
- Premierships: 1981-83, 1986
- Kangaroo Tours: 1978, 1982
- Rothmans Medal: 1979
- Rugby League Week Player of the Year: 1979, 1985
- Dally M Medal: 1982
- Dally M Lock of the Year: 1982-86
- Harry Sunderland Medal: 1979
- Rated No. 52 in Rugby League Week’s Top 100 players: 1992
- Named in NRL Team of the 1980s: 2004
Biography
Ray Price switched to rugby league in 1976 after representing the Wallabies in eight Tests from the Parramatta Rugby Union Club. He scored more tries than any other forward in the competition in his first year of First Grade, breaking the then Club record (12 tries) for the most tries in a season by a forward.
Known as 'Pricey', Ray's passion for Parramatta was undeniable, playing in all four of Parramatta's winning premierships in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986. Renowned for his 'never give up' attitude, Ray was a warhorse who set the standard throughout the club. Ray was known for the 'Cumberland Throw' tackle which was later ruled out of the game.
He made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1978 and made the first of his two Kangaroo tours that same year. He played all five Tests on tour and after playing in the three Tests against Great Britain in 1978, won the Harry Sunderland Medal and the prestigious Rothmans Medal.
Ray Price was appointed captain in 1977 and again in 1985-86. His goal was to lead the club to a grand final win before he retired, and he did just that in 1986 when the Eels defeated Canterbury 4-2.
He was named Dally M Player of the Year in 1982, Dally M Captain of the Year in 1986, Dally M Lock of the Year for five consecutive years (1982-96), was inducted into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame, and inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2002.
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.