The Sydney Roosters have tonight inducted John Brass, Anthony Minichiello, Craig Fitzgibbon, Sidney ‘Sandy’ Pearce, Sidney ‘Joe’ Pearce and Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway at a gala event held at ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour.
Tonight’s inductees all represent great eras of the Eastern Suburbs Club and have had a major influence on the game of rugby league.
They join inaugural inductees Dally Messenger, Dave Brown, Jack Gibson, Arthur Beetson, Brad Fittler who were named in the Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame in 2010 as well as Ray Stehr, Dick Dunn, Ron Coote and Kevin Hastings who were inducted in 2012.
Sandy Pearce, player number 10 on the Club’s Honour Roll, was known as ‘The Prince of Hookers’ and was seen by many as one of the most durable forwards to have played rugby league in the 20th Century.
He played 158 games for Easts between 1908 and 1921, retiring as the game’s most-capped player and the first person to reach 100 and 150 game milestones for the Club.
Renowned for his dominance in the ruck and sheer determination, Pearce was an integral figure in Eastern Suburbs’ early success, scoring his first try in the Club’s second ever match.
Pearce helped deliver the Club’s first silverware, foregoing Kangaroo touring obligations to play all but three matches between 1911-1913, the same three-year span the Tricolours claimed consecutive Premierships.
Inducted alongside Sandy was his son Joe Pearce. Player number 193, Joe Pearce started his career at fullback with Easts in 1929 but quickly found a home in the forward pack.
Recognised for his outstanding ball-playing and sure-handling ability, Joe Pearce featured in 148 top grade games for the Club between 1929-1942 and was a member of the famous Premiership-winning teams of 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1940.
After battling with injuries, Joe Pearce retired from playing to take up a coaching role with Easts in 1942. He coached 44 games across three seasons, most notably leading the Club to the Final in his first season as a coach.
Player number 61, Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway was an opportunity halfback who played a total of 36 games for Easts (1912-1914), having a hand in the Club’s 1912 and 1913 titles before switching to coaching with great success.
Halloway coached 154 games for Easts across four stints at the Club, most notably steering the Tricolours to Premiership victories in 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1945. He retired from rugby league with 11 Premierships as a player, player/coach and coach to his name – six with Easts and five with Balmain – a true testament to his game knowledge and leadership.
John Brass became player number 595 when he joined the Roosters in 1969 after making the switch from rugby union.
A classy centre recognised for his slick handling skills and rock-solid defence, Brass played 143 first grade games for Easts and is remembered for kicking two goals in the Roosters’ 1974 Grand Final win, and for scoring a double in the 1975 decider to help the Club secure consecutive Premierships.
He captained the Roosters, New South Wales and Australia. He also played a key role for the Roosters in the inaugural World Club Challenge match played in 1976, kicking five goals in the famous victory against St Helens. He concluded his career with 33 tries, 295 goals and 17 field goals.
Craig Fitzgibbon joined the Sydney Roosters in 2000 and quickly established himself as a great leader, clubman and fierce competitor, and rose to become one of the most admired players in the modern era.
Player number 989, he played 228 games for the Club across 10 years and was a prime contributor to the Roosters’ drought-breaking Premiership in 2002 where he was aptly rewarded with the Clive Churchill Medal after amassing a tally of 14 points in the decider with a try and five goals.
He retired as the highest point-scorer in the Club’s history (1,454) and was a four-time recipient of the Jack Gibson Medal (201, 2002, 2006, 2009). The well-respected Club figure transitioned into a coaching role following his retirement, becoming Trent Robinson’s right-hand man to help the Club secure a further three Premierships in 2013, 2018 and 2019.
Player 994, Anthony Minichiello was drafted into the Club’s SG Ball side at the age of 16. He rose through the Roosters’ ranks at a rapid pace and made his NRL debut on the wing in Round 4 of the 2000 season.
He continued to build on his dominant form and was a member of the 2002 Premiership-winning side. A move to fullback the following year saw his game rocket to another level.
Minichiello assumed the Sydney Roosters Captaincy in 2013, a year which saw the team scored a record six shut-outs and secure the Club Championship and Minor Premiership on their way to winning the Premiership.
The dynamic and unpredictable ball-runner featured in six grand finals and recorded 139 NRL tries, retiring as the Club’s most-capped player and highest all-time try scorer.
The night was attended by over 600 guests, and in addition to announcing the latest inductees into the Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame, the Club celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Roosters’ 2013 Premiership, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Chairmanship of Nick Politis AM.
