Harry Kadwell
Encyclopedia
Harry "Mick" Kadwell was an Australian professional rugby league
footballer of the 1920s and 30s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative fullback who later moved to the halves, he played his club football for South Sydney
with whom he won the 1927 and 1928 NSWRFL premierships, and later St. George
whom he captain-coached to the 1933 grand final.
A South Sydney junior, Kadwell first played for the Rabbitohs in the first grade NSWRFL premiership in 1927. At the end of his first season he played at fullback in Souths' win over Western Suburbs
in the grand final. The following year he was first selected to represent New South Wales and again won a premiership with Souths, this time playing at five-eighth and scoring two tries. In 1929 Kadwell moved to halfback
and was selected in this position to tour England with the 1929-30 Kangaroos, playing in eight matches, but no tests.
Following the residential qualification rules of the time, Kadwell was forced to leave Souths in 1930. He became St. George's captain-coach in 1931 and was also the club's top point scorer in first grade. While representing New South Wales against England early in the 1932 season, Kadwell broke his leg, ending his season and Arthur 'Snowy' Justice
took over as St. George captain (and would later become coach and secretary of the club).
Kadwell returned in 1933 as St. George captain (with 'Ricketty' Johnston taking over as coach) to guide Saints to the 1933 premiership-deciding final, (lost 18-5 to Newtown
) and was again the St. George club's top point-scorer. He was also captain in 1934, his final season, earning selection for New South Wales once more and was again the St. George club's top point-scorer.
After retirement, Kadwell helped the St. George club as a lower grade coach and selector. On 7 February 1945 he was selected by the club's committee to replace W. Kelly as first-grade coach.
At the time of his death in 1999, Kadwell was the oldest living Australian Kangaroos player.
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...
footballer of the 1920s and 30s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative fullback who later moved to the halves, he played his club football for South Sydney
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
with whom he won the 1927 and 1928 NSWRFL premierships, and later St. George
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,...
whom he captain-coached to the 1933 grand final.
A South Sydney junior, Kadwell first played for the Rabbitohs in the first grade NSWRFL premiership in 1927. At the end of his first season he played at fullback in Souths' win over Western Suburbs
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
in the grand final. The following year he was first selected to represent New South Wales and again won a premiership with Souths, this time playing at five-eighth and scoring two tries. In 1929 Kadwell moved to halfback
Rugby league positions
A rugby league football team consists of thirteen players on the field, with four substitutes on the bench. Players are divided into two general categories: "forwards" and "backs"....
and was selected in this position to tour England with the 1929-30 Kangaroos, playing in eight matches, but no tests.
Following the residential qualification rules of the time, Kadwell was forced to leave Souths in 1930. He became St. George's captain-coach in 1931 and was also the club's top point scorer in first grade. While representing New South Wales against England early in the 1932 season, Kadwell broke his leg, ending his season and Arthur 'Snowy' Justice
Arthur Justice
Arthur "Snowy" Justice was an Australian rugby league footballer, coach and administrator. He was a rugged hooker for the St George Dragons who made state and national representative appearances in the late 1920s...
took over as St. George captain (and would later become coach and secretary of the club).
Kadwell returned in 1933 as St. George captain (with 'Ricketty' Johnston taking over as coach) to guide Saints to the 1933 premiership-deciding final, (lost 18-5 to Newtown
Newtown Jets
The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
) and was again the St. George club's top point-scorer. He was also captain in 1934, his final season, earning selection for New South Wales once more and was again the St. George club's top point-scorer.
After retirement, Kadwell helped the St. George club as a lower grade coach and selector. On 7 February 1945 he was selected by the club's committee to replace W. Kelly as first-grade coach.
At the time of his death in 1999, Kadwell was the oldest living Australian Kangaroos player.