Gavin Allen
Encyclopedia
Gavin Allen is an Australian former rugby league
player of the 1980s and 90s. He played club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Fortitude Valley
and in the NSWRL premiership for the St. George Dragons
and Brisbane Broncos
, achieving selection to play for Queensland in State of Origin
.
, Gavin Allen started his career with Brisbane Valleys before moving to St George for the 1987-88 seasons. He was not a success and seemed unable to adapt to life in Sydney. Returning to Queensland in 1989
, he made his State of Origin
debut two years later. Although not big for a front-rower, Allen's exceptionally high workrate made him a vital component of the Broncos' forward pack from 1990 as they became the most feared side in the NSWRL Premiership. In 1991 Allen debuted for Queensland and played a significant role in winning a tight struggle with the more experienced NSW pack.
Allen played a major part in the Broncos forward pack that dominated St George in the 1992
grand final. After taking part in the club's win over Wigan
in the World Club Challenge
, Allen was a non-playing reserve in the Broncos return bout with the Dragons in the 1993
grand final. With Glenn Lazarus
, Andrew Gee
and Mark Hohn
competing, however, Allen found it very difficult at this time to maintain his first-grade berth, especially after the 10-metre rule made his main asset of high workrate less significant.
In 1995, Allen's career was winding down but had a brief reprieve when - by now a fringe first-grader - he was the only Bronco not signed by Rupert Murdoch
's Super League
. Consequently, Paul Vautin
picked him up and chose him for the three State of Origin games, in which his experience and workrate helped players like Gary Larson and Billy Moore
win Queensland a totally unexpected cleansweep. Allen retired at the end of the season.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player of the 1980s and 90s. He played club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley Diehards
The Fortitude Valley Diehards were an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley.-History:...
and in the NSWRL premiership for the St. George Dragons
St. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
and Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
, achieving selection to play for Queensland in State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
.
Career
Hailing from Cairns, QueenslandCairns, Queensland
Cairns is a regional city in Far North Queensland, Australia, founded 1876. The city was named after William Wellington Cairns, then-current Governor of Queensland. It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, but experienced a decline when an easier route was...
, Gavin Allen started his career with Brisbane Valleys before moving to St George for the 1987-88 seasons. He was not a success and seemed unable to adapt to life in Sydney. Returning to Queensland in 1989
Brisbane Broncos 1989
The 1989 Brisbane Broncos season was the second in the club's history. They competed in the NSWRL's 1989 Winfield Cup premiership and in their second year improved on their first, finishing the season in sixth position after losing their first ever play-off match against the Cronulla-Sutherland...
, he made his State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
debut two years later. Although not big for a front-rower, Allen's exceptionally high workrate made him a vital component of the Broncos' forward pack from 1990 as they became the most feared side in the NSWRL Premiership. In 1991 Allen debuted for Queensland and played a significant role in winning a tight struggle with the more experienced NSW pack.
Allen played a major part in the Broncos forward pack that dominated St George in the 1992
Brisbane Broncos 1992
The 1992 Brisbane Broncos season was the fifth in the club's history and they competed in the NSWRL's 1992 Winfield Cup premiership. Under new captain Allan Langer they finished the regular season 1st to claim their first minor premiership before going on to play in their first grand final and win,...
grand final. After taking part in the club's win over Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
in the World Club Challenge
World Club Challenge
The World Club Challenge is an annual rugby league football match held between the champions of the Australasian National Rugby League and the European Super League competitions to determine the world's best rugby league club...
, Allen was a non-playing reserve in the Broncos return bout with the Dragons in the 1993
Brisbane Broncos 1993
The 1993 Brisbane Broncos season was the sixth in the club's history. They competed in the NSWRL's 1993 Winfield Cup premiership, finishing the regular season 5th before going on to play in a re-match of the previous year's grand final against the St George Dragons and again win, claiming...
grand final. With Glenn Lazarus
Glenn Lazarus
Glenn Patrick Lazarus is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has been named amongst the nation's finest of the 20th century. He primarily played at prop forward, representing Australia internationally and New South Wales in State of Origin...
, Andrew Gee
Andrew Gee
Andrew Gee is an Australian rugby league administrator and the current football operations manager at the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL...
and Mark Hohn
Mark Hohn
Mark Hohn is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 1990s. A front-rower, he represented Queensland in the State of Origin on nine occasions and played one test for Australia as a reserve forward against France in mid-1994...
competing, however, Allen found it very difficult at this time to maintain his first-grade berth, especially after the 10-metre rule made his main asset of high workrate less significant.
In 1995, Allen's career was winding down but had a brief reprieve when - by now a fringe first-grader - he was the only Bronco not signed by Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's Super League
Super League (Australia)
Super League was an Australian rugby league football administrative body that conducted professional competition in Australasia for one season in 1997. Along with Super League of Europe, it was created by News Corporation during the Super League war which arose following an unsuccessful attempt to...
. Consequently, Paul Vautin
Paul Vautin
Paul Vautin , is an Australian sports television personality and former rugby league footballer and coach. He currently hosts the NRL Footy Show and provides commentary for the Nine Network's coverage of rugby league matches...
picked him up and chose him for the three State of Origin games, in which his experience and workrate helped players like Gary Larson and Billy Moore
Billy Moore (rugby league)
Billy Moore is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. Usually playing at lock, he represented Queensland and Australia....
win Queensland a totally unexpected cleansweep. Allen retired at the end of the season.