Garry Jack

Garry Jack played 17 games for NSW and 20 tests for Australia in an outstanding representative career that spanned 1983-1989. He also became the first Australian fullback to score a hat-trick of tries in a match.

Jack left the club in the twilight of his career to take up a position in England with the Sheffield Eagles. However, "Jimmy" returned in 1995 to find his Balmain Tigers struggling in a 20 team competition under the name, "Sydney Tigers". Jimmy decided to help out his old team-mate Wayne Pearce who was now head coach, and pulled on the boots for one last fling in Australia. His return was a success but Jimmy was now ready to retire and begin a new life in the sports store business.

As a fullback, there were very few as reliable as Garry Jack. His cover defence and front on tackling were trademarks of his game, but he was also a fine taker of the bomb and an elusive kick returner. Jimmy always wore his heart on his sleeve and gave everything for the jersey on his back and this made him a favourite son at Leichhardt.

Garry Jack was brought to the club by another product of Wollongong, Keith Barnes. Jack came to a club in 1982 that was destined for success, with youngsters like Wayne Pearce, Steve Roach and Ben Elias all ready to progress to first grade. In 1983, Jack was selected in the NSW State of Origin side, but had to wait until 1984 for his test debut. He would later tour France, New Zealand and Great Britain as well as playing tests on home soil.

During the mid 1980’s, Garry Jack was considered the best fullback in the world. In 1987 he was named the "World’s Best International Player" and was awarded the "Golden Boot trophy.

In 1989 Garry Jack’s representative career ended as he decided to devote more time to his family. In that same year, he was involved in the remarkable Tigers team that made the Grand Final only to lose to the Raiders after a long series of sudden death matches.

In 1989, the site of Garry Jack sobbing on the turf of the Sydney Football Stadium whilst being comforted by Warren Ryan lingers in the minds of all who witnessed the greatest Grand Final of them all. In devastating circumstances, the Tigers came so close but were denied the title in extra time by the Canberra Raiders.

In 1998 two sides of Origin legends were chosen for their contributions to State of Origin and along with 3 of his Tiger team-mates Garry Jack was named at fullback of the NSW Legends side.

There are many funny stories about Garry Jack who was not just a fine player, but a unique individual that was liked by most. Jimmy may have briefly started his career as a Magpie but as was the case with most of the Tigers’ team of the 1980’s he remained loyal to Balmain throughout his career.

In 1992 Garry Jack retired alongside Steve Roach and David Brooks after playing a record 229 first grade games. Benny Elias would later break that record, but Jimmy returned in 1995 to take it back (with 244 games) before it was again broken by his team-mate of many years in 1998 when Paul Sironen declared his innings closed at 246 games.

This profile was compiled by Anthony Sinclair. Source: The History of the Balmain Tigers. By Alan Whittaker. 1988 Sherborne Sutherland Publishing 1988. ©