Tom Gorman had few equals
Toowoomba honour for League icon
IN 2008 there was spirited debate among rugby league historians and followers on who should be chosen alongside legendary centre Mal Meninga in the Queensland Rugby League Team Of The Century.
The hypothetical team was initiated to recognise those considered the best Queensland players to represent their state since 1909.
The field of candidates, dripping with rugby league achievements, was immense.
The final selection nod to partner Meninga went to Tom Gorman.
His naming would have undoubtedly turned heads and sparked curious debate among recent generations of rugby league fans.
They had, after all, grown up admiring the feats of dashing Maroons centres such as John McDonald and Gene Miles.
But rugby league history books and records don’t lie and they serve to only reinforce the impact Gorman had on the game at all levels.
From humble club beginnings in Toowoomba with Past Christian Brothers in 1918, the St Mary’s Christian Brothers College student reached the pinnacle of Australian rugby league in 1929 when he was named captain of the Kangaroo touring team to Great Britain.
John Thomas (Tom) Gorman was born in Charters Towers on June 1, 1901.
He began playing representative rugby league in 1920 for the Galloping Toowoomba Clydesdales who defeated the touring English side in 1924.
Gorman transferred to Brisbane in 1926, where he signed on for a reported fee of 100 pounds ($200) per season to play for Brothers.
He had become an automatic selection for the Queensland side from 1921, when he made his state debut, until 1930.
He played a total of 34 matches.
Gorman had a reputation as an inspiring captain, leading Queensland in 1927 and again in 1930.
He went on to represent Australia from 1924 to 1930 and played in 10 consecutive Ashes Tests.
He became the first
Queenslander to captain a Kangaroo tour of England.
It was more than 50 years before Wally Lewis became the next Queenslander to be given that role.
The 173cm and 74kg Gorman was described as an “unselfish” centre three-quarter who earned the nickname of “Gentleman Tom”.
He was regarded as fast and elusive, and a fine handler in attack.
He was considered sure, though not punishing, in defence, and had a great sense of positional play.
As well as being named in the Queensland Team Of
The Century, Gorman’s honour roll included:
Admission to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame — one of only 22 rugby league players to receive such recognition.
In 1996 he was included in Rugby League Week’s top 100 rugby league players of all time.
Inducted in 2002 to the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame.
In 2002 Gorman was also included in the State Library of Queensland’s 100 Not Out exhibition of memorable Queensland athletes.
Named in 2008 in
Australia’s greatest 100 players from 1908-2007.
Gorman was also chosen in 2008 at centre alongside McDonald in the Toowoomba and South West Team Of The Century.
On his retirement Gorman also proved a valuable and visionary Queensland
Rugby League administrator.
He was one of the first people to push for the value of a try to increase from three to four points.
The move was eventually introduced by the Australian Rugby League, five years after Gorman’s death in Brisbane on June 22, 1978.