Name Doug McRitchie | ||
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Died July 30, 1998, Milton, Australia | ||
Douglas Allan McRitchie (1923–1998) was an Australian rugby league player of the 1940s and 1950s. A New South Wales state and Australia national representative centre, he played his club football in Sydney for the St. George club.
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Club career
McRitchie was a St. George local junior who was graded in 1940. He had a long career with the club playing eight seasons in first grade between 1942 and 1950. McRitchie featured in three Grand finals for the club. He was part of two sides who lost deciders - 1942 and 1946 and saw success with the 1949 premiership team.
His career was disrupted during by WWII, he enlisted in the AIF and he saw service in New Guinea with the 129 Australian Brigade. After demobilisation, he resumed his playing career at St George, and he captain-coached the club in the 1947 NSWRFL season.
Representative career
McRitchie represented New South Wales on six occasions between 1948-1950. He was named in the 1948-49 Kangaroo Tour squad and played two Tests against Great Britain, two Tests against France and a further ten tour matches during that series. He is listed on the Australian Players Register as Kangaroo No. 261 He played a further two tests in 1950 against Great Britain. He was signed to captain-coach Queanbeyan, New South Wales in 1951. During the 1951 French rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand McRitchie played for a Monaro side against the Les Chanticleers.
Doug's brother Bill McRitchie played for St George from 1942 to 1945. Bill was involved in an infamous event during in 1945, when he lost a portion of his ear during a match at Henson Park. Newtown stalwart Frank Farrell was accused of the allegation. McRitchie was awarded Life Membership of St. George Dragons in 1997.
Death
McRitchie died at Milton, New South Wales on 30 July 1998.