Brian Clay

Clay was graded by Newtown in 1953 aged 18. He played in the club's losing Grand final teams of 1954 and 1955, learning the ropes against the powerful early 1950s South Sydney Rabbitohs sides.

After Clay spent the 1956 country season with Griffith, Frank Facer offered him a contract with St George as a lock forward from 1957. He made his State and International debut in 1957 and played a major role in Australia's success in the 1957 World Cup. When Johnny Raper joined the club in 1959 Clay moved to five-eighth at which position he enjoyed most success.

Outside the game Clay was a dour, cautious man, highly principled and loyal. On field Clay ran stampeding, battering charges like an extra forward and would then set the wider backs in motion with precise passes. His flashier outside backs Reg Gasnier and Johnny King benefitted from the opposition defence Clay would absorb on their behalf. In turn he was known for his own punishing defence using a shuddering ball-and-all style of crash tackle.

In 1959 Clay played in the New South Wales loss to Queensland that attracted 35,261 spectators, smashing Brisbane's previous record for an interstate match of 22,817.[2] He went on the 1959 Kangaroo Tour of Britain and France appearing in five test matches and sixteen minor Tour games. Clay is listed on the Australian Players Register as Kangaroo No. 332.[3] He alternated with Johnny Raper between lock and five-eighth during the tour.

Clay played 200 club games (183 1st grade) for the St. George Dragons between 1957 and 1967 and played in eight of the famous Grand Final victories. He missed the 1962 and 1963 Grand Finals with broken arm injuries. A knee cartilage operation in 1967 meant that he played his last games at less than 100% fitness. His 200th and last career game was the 1967 final against the Kevin Ryan led Canterbury Bulldogs where the aging Dragons outfit went down 12-11 and the record breaking premiership run ended. [4]