Bobby Dimond, the last surviving member of the 1948-49 Kangaroos, has been remembered as a remarkable player who jammed plenty into a promising career cut short due to injury.
Dimond - Kangaroo No.255 - died on Saturday, aged 90.
He played first grade for Dapto as a 16-year-old and was chosen to tour with the 1948-49 Kangaroos as an 18-year-old, celebrating his 19th birthday during the trip.
He played two seasons with Western Suburbs (1950-51) but his career was cut short by injury, firstly in a motor bike accident in which he damaged his right leg and suffered severe concussion and secondly when he fractured his wrist in a trial for St George in 1954.
Dimond made a brief comeback for Kempsey in 1955 and was chosen for Country Seconds but was forced to withdraw with injury.
"Bobby was just 18 years old when he was chosen to tour with the Kangaroos," Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said.
"That is a remarkable achievement and one which will always stand the test of time.
"He was the last surviving member of that 1948-49 Kangaroos touring team, while also representing Country and NSW during his career.
"From Dapto, where he made his first-grade debut at just 16, to Western Suburbs, where he played in 1950-51, Bobby was always and will always be remembered fondly.
"On behalf of the game, I send my condolences to Bobby’s family and friends."
The NSWRL also paid tribute to Dimond, who played two interstate matches for the Blues.
His brother Peter also played for Australia while his nephew, Peter's son Craig, played 12 seasons of first grade with Illawarra, Cronulla and Canberra.
