Barry Bryant inducted into Cowra's Sporting Hall Of Fame

Bryant played 186 first grade games for Western Suburbs spanning from 1965 to 1973, and was known for his “lightning fast, hard running” and genuine sportsmanship during a fierce era of rugby league.

In 2008 he was announced in Western Suburbs’ Team of the 1960s alongside some of the most iconic names in the sport such as Arthur Summons and Noel Kelly.

Bryant labelled Noel Kelly as the best and “toughest” rugby league player he ever shared the paddock with, and recognised playing alongside the best players of his era as his proudest achievement.

“Probably the biggest thing I did was play with some of the best players in the world,” Bryant said.

“Jonny Raper, Billy Smith, Poppa Clay, Reg Gasnier, Peter Dimond all these fellas - they were the best going around.”

Bryant’s rugby league career began in Cowra during 1958 playing in the Mulyan under 21s competition when he was just 13.

As a 16-year-old Bryant made his debut for the Cowra Magpies’ first grade side and from there he went on to represent Western Division in a game against France at Lithgow in 1964.

That is where he became noticed by the Western Suburbs’ selectors who quickly offered a contract, leading to Bryant’s move to Sydney as a 19-year-old.

“My first game was against Parramatta in the State Cup. I was in the reserves and came off the bench and went on and finished up scoring a try,” Bryant recalled.

Bryant swiftly became one of Syndey’s most dynamic forwards and was recognised with selection into the City Seconds squad in 1969.

After eight seasons with Wests, Bryant made a move and was appointed captain-coach of the Gloucester Magpies based on the NSW Central Coast.

A struggling team that had won one match in six seasons, Bryant quickly turned them into a team that could challenge the best sides in the region, taking the Magpies to the decider in his first year.

In 1976, he returned to Sydney and spent two years with Wentworthville Magpies under former Wests teammate Mick Alchin.

In 1978 Barry retired and moved to Perth.

In 1984 Barry returned to Cowra with his wife Mavis and four children, maintaining his association with rugby league Barry coached the Magpies’ reserve grade.

Remarkably, he played his entire career in a black and white jumper, wearing the Magpie emblem, beginning all the way back in his junior days with Mulyan.

Bryant said rugby league has changed since his day, but still rates it as the best sport to play.

 “It’s changed a lot. It’s so hard on them now, we trained for longevity. They play a quicker game where you play 30, 40 minutes,” Bryant said.

“It’s still a great game I admire the players today there’s some brilliant individuals. Some of the wingers today are brilliant the way they score tries is so dramatic. We had big winners who would run over people to score tries.”

Today Barry follows the Wests Tigers in the NRL competition, and attends the Western Suburbs’ reunion each year to catch up with his former teammates.

He values the friendships he made during his career, maintaining close ties with many rugby league colleagues to this day.

“We had a good time in my era,” Bryant said.

“One of the best things is we’ve stayed friends with all the players. We have the reunions and we’re all still friends.

“I think that’s a problem in today’s game, in our day you’d go back and have a drink with the opposition and then you’d go home. They don’t do that today, they stick to themselves. We got to know the opposition better.”

Barry says being inducted into Cowra’s Sporting Hall of Fame ranks high on his list of achievements during a wonderful career.

“I’m chuffed about it. I often walk in the club and look at the photos and think jeez it’d be nice to be up there as well. It’s really good,” Bryant said.

The journey began in the under 21s Mulyan competition as a 13-year-old. He developed into a Western Division footballer and was noticed by Western Suburbs’ selectors.

Played 186 first games for Western Suburbs and was recognised recently with selection in Wests’ Team of the 1960s.

Appointed captain-coach of Gloucester Magpies on the Central Coast taking them to a grand final in his first year at the helm.

Returned to Sydney for two season at the Wentworthville Magpies who were captain-coached by his former Wests teammate Mick Alchin. In 78’ Barry retired an moved to Perth.

Barry settled back in Cowra in 1981 and was appointed coach of the Cowra Magpies’ reserve grade side. 

Barry played sporadically for the Cowra Blues in the Central West AFL competiton and featured in the reserve grade premiership winning side of 1987 alongside son David.

He lives in Cowra today with his wife Mavis.