John Davidson is an Australian former

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...

footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played for Balmain and Cronulla-Sutherland in the

New South Wales Rugby League The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and is a member of the Australian Rugby League Commission. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was ...

(NSWRL) competition. His brother Jamie Davidson also played for Balmain between 1983 and 1987.

Background

Davidson was born in

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountains ...

and played his junior rugby league for Birchgrove Scorpions.

Playing career

Davidson made his first grade debut for Balmain in Round 6 1980 against Penrith at

Leichhardt Oval Leichhardt Oval is a rugby league and soccer stadium in Lilyfield, New South Wales, Australia. It is currently one of three home grounds for the Wests Tigers National Rugby League (NRL) team, along with Campbelltown Stadium and Western Sydney S ...

. In 1981, Davidson played 10 games as Balmain finished last on the table claiming the wooden spoon. It was only the 4th time in the club's history where they had finished last. By 1983, Balmain coach Frank Stanton had assembled a strong team and the club reached the finals but were defeated in the semi-final by

St George Saint George (Greek language, Greek: Γεώργιος (Geórgios), Latin language, Latin: Georgius, Arabic language, Arabic: القديس جرجس; died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was a Christians, Christian who is venerated as a sa ...

. In 1984, Balmain missed the finals after a disappointing season but Davidson did finish as the club's top point scorer. By 1985, Balmain were genuine title contenders and finished second on the table. The club were then eliminated from the finals series after back to back losses with Davidson featuring in both games. In 1986, Balmain again reached the finals but were defeated by an experienced Canterbury side in the preliminary final. It was a similar story the following year in 1987 as the club reached the finals but fell short of a grand final appearance. In the 1988 season, Balmain finally reached the grand final after years of heartbreak defeating Cronulla in the preliminary final. Davidson played in the first finals game against Penrith scoring a try but missed out on selection in the grand final which Balmain lost against Canterbury 24–12. In 1989, Davidson joined Cronulla who had finished minor premiers the year before. Davidson played in the club's semi final defeat against eventual premiers Canberra. Davidson retired following the conclusion of the 1990 season.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davidson, John 1961 births Living people Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players Balmain Tigers players Australian rugby league players Rugby league players from Sydney Rugby league wingers Rugby league centres