Darryl Duncan
Encyclopedia
Darryl Duncan is a former rugby league player.
Duncan was a character of the Brisbane Rugby League (BRL) and was signed by Brisbane club Valleys in 1980 after playing much of his junior football in Mount Isa. He made his first grade debut for the Valleys Diehards
against the Redcliffe Dolphins
at Lang Park in 1980 as a teenager, but it wasn't until 1982 where he became a regular in the Diehards' first-grade line-up. That season, he was seen by Valleys coach Ross Strudwick
as a better option at five-eighth than eventual rugby league immortal, Wally Lewis
, who was forced to play much of the 1982 BRL season in his original position of lock-forward. Duncan's ability to bust the defence with his bulky frame and his undeniable ball skills were noticed by Sydney talent scouts and he was subsequently signed by the Illawarra Steelers
for the NSWRFL's 1983 Winfield Cup season.
Duncan made a couple of appearances in first grade for the Steelers that year but eventually left mid-season, returning to Valleys where he played first and reserve grade. Duncan moved back to Mount Isa in 1984, representing the North Queensland Marlins in the Winfield State League of that season. He was instrumental in helping the Marlins become the first country side to make the finals of that particular competition. They lost to glamour Brisbane club Wynnum-Manly in the semi final at Lang Park (22-0).
Duncan headed back to the BRL for the 1985 season where he signed with the Norths Devils
. He captained the Devils that season, alternating between five-eighth and second-row. He skippered the Devils on and off for the rest of his BRL career which ended in 1993 after nine-straight seasons with Norths.
Award in 1991 for the competition's best and fairest player. He became the second 'Darryl' from Norths to win the medal, following in the footsteps of look alike Darryl Brohman
. He also made the 4BC
BRL Team of the 80's. Duncan once kicked a 50 metres (164 ft) field goal after the siren to give the underdog Devils a shock 23-22 win over the then reigning BRL premiers Wynnum-Manly in a match at Bishop Park in 1985.
He returned to Mount Isa as a player/coach for local team Wanderers and in 2009 guided the club to a memorable 28-26 upset victory over Town in the A Grade grand final.
Duncan was a character of the Brisbane Rugby League (BRL) and was signed by Brisbane club Valleys in 1980 after playing much of his junior football in Mount Isa. He made his first grade debut for the Valleys Diehards
Fortitude Valley Diehards
The Fortitude Valley Diehards were an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley.-History:...
against the Redcliffe Dolphins
Redcliffe Dolphins
The Redcliffe Dolphins are a rugby league team from the city of Redcliffe in Queensland, Australia. The Redcliffe Dolphins were founded in 1947, accepted into the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1960, and since 1996 have played in the Queensland Cup....
at Lang Park in 1980 as a teenager, but it wasn't until 1982 where he became a regular in the Diehards' first-grade line-up. That season, he was seen by Valleys coach Ross Strudwick
Ross Strudwick
Ross Strudwick is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An Australian international, New South Wales and Queensland representative halfback of the 1970s, he played club football in the NSWRFL Premiership for St. George and in the BRL Premiership for Fortitude Valley...
as a better option at five-eighth than eventual rugby league immortal, Wally Lewis
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
, who was forced to play much of the 1982 BRL season in his original position of lock-forward. Duncan's ability to bust the defence with his bulky frame and his undeniable ball skills were noticed by Sydney talent scouts and he was subsequently signed by the Illawarra Steelers
Illawarra Steelers
The Illawarra Steelers are an Australian rugby league football club based in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales. The club competed in Australia's top-level Rugby League competition from 1982, when they, along with the Canberra Raiders, were admitted into the then New South Wales Rugby Football...
for the NSWRFL's 1983 Winfield Cup season.
Duncan made a couple of appearances in first grade for the Steelers that year but eventually left mid-season, returning to Valleys where he played first and reserve grade. Duncan moved back to Mount Isa in 1984, representing the North Queensland Marlins in the Winfield State League of that season. He was instrumental in helping the Marlins become the first country side to make the finals of that particular competition. They lost to glamour Brisbane club Wynnum-Manly in the semi final at Lang Park (22-0).
Duncan headed back to the BRL for the 1985 season where he signed with the Norths Devils
Norths Devils
The Northern Suburbs Devils, Norths for short, are a rugby league club representing the northern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. The team colours are sky blue, navy blue and gold. They play in the Queensland Wizard Cup, and, through their predecessors, are one of the oldest clubs in...
. He captained the Devils that season, alternating between five-eighth and second-row. He skippered the Devils on and off for the rest of his BRL career which ended in 1993 after nine-straight seasons with Norths.
Career highlights
Duncan's highlights during his time with Norths included captaining the Devils in the famous 1990 Grand Final loss to Valleys and winning the Rothmans MedalRothmans Medal
The Rothmans Medal was the premier individual award in both the New South Wales Rugby League and Brisbane Rugby League competitions, and later in the Australian Rugby League, which was given to the player voted by referees as the best and fairest in those competitions for that year.The award was...
Award in 1991 for the competition's best and fairest player. He became the second 'Darryl' from Norths to win the medal, following in the footsteps of look alike Darryl Brohman
Darryl Brohman
Darryl Brohman is an Australian former rugby league footballer, commentator and media personality. Brohman is best known for his time playing for the Penrith Panthers and the Queensland rugby league team...
. He also made the 4BC
4BC
4BC is a radio station in Brisbane, Queensland on 1116kHz AM. 4BC is Brisbane's only commercial talkback station, using the promotional phrase "News Talk 1116". Like most talk radio stations, it caters to a predominantly conservative audience...
BRL Team of the 80's. Duncan once kicked a 50 metres (164 ft) field goal after the siren to give the underdog Devils a shock 23-22 win over the then reigning BRL premiers Wynnum-Manly in a match at Bishop Park in 1985.
He returned to Mount Isa as a player/coach for local team Wanderers and in 2009 guided the club to a memorable 28-26 upset victory over Town in the A Grade grand final.