To say Garry Jack was "just another fullback",
would be to grossly understate the superior
nature of the rugby league ability he
possessed throughout his career in the 80s
and 90s.
Born in Wollongong,N.S.W.,Jack's excellence
in the sport demanded attention and he soon found
himself playing with the elite,
in the N.S.W.R.L.(now N.R.L.).
The pacy,blonde-haired fullback consistently
performed well-above standard for his Sydney club,
the Balmain Tigers,and after a few years deservedly earned
representative honours.
N.S.W. and Australia received his fine services and
simultaneously his reputation as an outstanding fullback grew.
Crowds never tired of his exciting kick returns,where it
was common for Jack to angle across field so as to space the
chasers out,then turn sharply and dart between them.
Neither could they get enough of watching him defuse
pressure situations.When the scores were close and the
opposition put the bomb up,all eyes switched to Jack,
who would calmly leap above the pack no matter how big
the contest,and more often than not would transform defence
into attack by swerving past defenders as he ran the ball back.
His abilities to save the day did not end there either.
Many a Tiger fan will recall some of the classic cover
tackles he made, such it seemed Jack revelled in pressure
situations.Visions of Jack closing in from behind on
opposition wingers,launching himself around their legs and
hanging on as they crashed,usually over the sideline,
hard onto the ground,are some of the finest in the history
of the game.
Yet Jack is also remembered by some as part of the
courageous and memorable Tigers sides of the late 80s which
fought into two Grand Finals,including the the most famous
of all finales,the extra-time grand final of 89.
"The Garry Jack Tribute Stand" hopes you enjoy
re-living the memories of Garry Jack's career,or if you
aren't completely familiar with him,learning why he was
undoubtedly one of the greatest fullbacks to grace the game.