Eddie Burns (16 January 1916 – 30 June 2004) was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach of the mid 20th century. A New South Wales representative prop-forward, he played for the Canterbury-Bankstown club of the NSWRFL Premiership, later becoming their coach.

Playing career

While still a teenager, Burns played in the Canterbury-Bankstown club's first ever season in 1935 and was sent off in his first match. He played for 16 seasons in First Grade from 1935 to 1950. Eddie Burns played 212 first grade games and scored 196 career points in his long career. He won two premierships with Canterbury-Bankstown in

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and

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. In 1948, Burns was selected to represent New South Wales playing 2 games. He retired in 1950 as the Canterbury club's top ever try-scorer, with 60, a record not bettered until Chris Anderson in 1978. Burns is the 16th player to represent Canterbury-Bankstown.

Coaching career

Burns' career as coach of Canterbury-Bankstown was subject to a two-year interruption when Clive Churchill was selected as the club's coach. He coached the club between 1960-1962 and again in 1965. He coached New South Wales City Firsts in 1963 and the New South Wales rugby league team in 1964. Burns co-managed the 1969 Australian touring team to New Zealand, along with Jack Lynch of Ipswich, Queensland.

Accolades

In 1985, Burns was selected in Canterbury's 'Greatest Team Ever'. In 2004 he was selected in the 70 Year Canterbury-Bankstown team of champions. In 2015, he was the first player to be inducted into the Canterbury-Bankstown hall of fame.

References

External links

"Burns declares his Fitness for League Grand Final" ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', Friday, 19 September 1947 (p. 12)
1916 births 2004 deaths Australian rugby league coaches Australian rugby league players Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs coaches Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players New South Wales rugby league team players Place of birth missing Rugby league props {{Australia-rugbyleague-bio-1910s-stub