Norm Provan, one of the greatest figures in the history of the code, has passed away at the age of 88. Variously described as a gladiator, a warrior, a giant of the game, a legend, an icon, an immortal and a true gentleman, Provan boasted a record second to none.
Let’s simply state the key facts:
Norm Provan – St George Dragons
Games: 256
Tries: 63
Premierships: 10, 1956-65 (final four as coach)
Tests: 18
Matches for NSW: 20
NSWRL Player of the Year: 1958
Sun-Herald Best And Fairest: 1954
Clive Churchill Medal: 1957, 1958, 1963
Australian Rugby League Team of the Century: 2008
International Hall of Fame: 2004
NSW Team of the Century: 2008
Named In NRL Team Of The 1950s: 2007
Immortal: 2018
The figures beg the question: how come Provan was only the 12th Immortal? On these details alone, surely he deserved to be in the first half-dozen. But let’s quibble about that another day.
Norm ‘Sticks’ Provan was undoubtedly one of the giants of the code in every respect – in his physical presence, as a player and coach, immortalised in the NRL’s premiership trophy (based on ‘that image’), revered and respected everywhere. Ten premierships in a row including four as captain/coach – can you imagine that ever being equalled let alone surpassed?
We’ll read a lot about Provan in the coming days but, for now, here are a few links for you to follow:
To read the NRL’s tribute to Norm Provan click here.
To read a tribute to Norm Provan by the St George Illawarra Dragons click here.
To view a snapshot of Norm Provan’s career click here.
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
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St George in the late 50s and the first half of the 60s – a champion team made up of champion players: a unique alignment of the rugby league stars. Provan, Langlands, Raper and Gasnier – 4 of the 13 code’s Immortals in the same side. No wonder they won with such monotonous regularity!