Bruce Sinclair (rugby league)

Balmain Tigers

Balmain won a lot of fans in 1986 with a backs to the wall performance almost taking them to the Grand Final. Finishing in a tie for 5th place, Balmain were asked to play North Sydney Bears for the final playoffs spot. The Tigers were forced to win 3 sudden death matches without their lock Wayne Pearce. During the season a handful of youngsters stood out for the Tigers. Paul Sironen and Bruce Sinclair were a few.

In 1987 Balmain again made the playoffs finishing in 4th place after 24 rounds of competition. In the Minor Preliminary Semi the Tigers faced off against the 5th placed South Sydney Rabbitohs. In a game that can only be regarded as extraordinary. South Sydney walked off 15-12 winners with only 1 try being scored in the entire match. 22 of the total 27 points coming from goals. Once again Bruce Sinclair putting in a handful of solid performances throughout the season.

In 1988 Balmain almost pulled off the fairy tale all rugby league fans dream of when following their club team. Once again the Tigers finished the season in a 5th placed tie. Balmain were far too strong here defeating Penrith Panthers 28-8. From here Balmain never looked back going all the way to the Grand Final. Butthey lost to Canterbury Bulldogs 24-12.

Balmain Career Statistics

North Sydney Bears

1989 North Sydney Bears signed Bruce Sinclair for 2 years. North Sydney struggled finishing second last at the end of the season.

1990 produced Bruce Sinclair's most successful year of his career - but by its end he and North Sydney were still far from a premiership title. Bruce and a brash breed of young players stood up in 1990 including Billy Moore, David Fairleigh, Mark Soden and Jason Martin as the Bears finished 4 wins outside the play-offs.

North Sydney Statistics:

Eastern Suburbs Roosters

Bruce had such a strong influence at Norths that he was picked up by Easts in a surge for premierships moving forward. But what must have hurt Bruce Sinclair the most in 1990 was seeing his old team Norths finishing 3rd on the competition ladder while Easts were down the back end finishing 11th.

However, during the early 1990s, the Eastern Suburbs club secured the signature of Australian Test five-eighth Brad Fittler from Penrith Panthers. The Roosters were able to build from this towards becoming a formidable team into the future.

Sinclair was a strong starter at the club for 4 years before signing a contract at the new North Queensland franchise. His work load and captain like qualities made him a stand out at the top flight level.

Easts Career Statistics

North Queensland Cowboys

With a wealth of First Grade rugby league experience from his previous clubs Balmain, North Sydney and Eastern Suburbs Bruce Sinclair gave the North Queensland Cowboys a formidable front row partnership with bulky forward Martin Bella in the Cowboys first year of top flight football in 1995.

The backbone of the Cowboys strength and go forward. His excellent role model attributes gave coach Grant Bell the easy choice of naming him in the Cowboys early years as captain.

Cowboys Statistics

Legend: Gms = Games, Trs = Tries, Gls = Goals, FGls = Field Goals, Pts = Points.

Winter Swimming

Post Rugby League, Bruce needed to find another Sport, and he settled on Winter Swimming and joined the Clovelly Eskimos, and than some years later moved to the Bronte Splashers. Arguably Bruce’s greatest sporting achievement is to have the trophy that is awarded to the winning Club when Bronte and Clovelly swim their annual Relay - The Sinclair “traitor” event has now been held 6 times – winning the trophy this year for the second time and the current holders are Bronte, Clovelly have won on 4 occasions. After being cut by all 4 Rugby League teams that he played for, when Bruce heard a rumour that Clovelly also had the knife ready, Bruce decided to act quickly and make the move himself – he said “I couldn’t cope with getting sacked a fifth time”. He tried to join another Club first, but finally a club, being Bronte agreed to accept him as a member. Bronte after all love Celebrities – even very minor ones like Bruce.