Vale Bob Fulton AM
Esteemed Member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning the passing of esteemed Member Bob Fulton AM (Rugby League) who passed away on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at age 74 after a brave battle with cancer.
A brilliant five-eighth/centre, Fulton played 263 first grade matches – 213 for Manly, and 50 for Eastern Suburbs – and held the distinction of never having played reserve grade. In all, he scored 129 tries for Manly – a club record – and 56 field goals, before leaving to join Easts (the Roosters) in 1977. He captain-coached Easts in 1979. Retiring as a player the same year because of a shoulder injury, he nonetheless stayed on as coach until 1982.
Fulton represented the Kangaroos on tours between 1968 and 1978 and captained the team in 1978. He participated in four World Cups; in 1968, 1970, 1972 and 1975 and played in three Manly premiership winning teams in; 1972, 1973 and 1976.
In the ultimate homecoming, Fulton returned to coach Manly in 1983. He led the side to premierships in 1987 and 1996, and coached successfully at international level, leading the Kangaroos to success in Great Britain, France and New Zealand in the late 1980s and well into the 1990s.
SAHOF Chair John Bertrand AO said; “Spoken of in awed tones as one of the Immortals of the modern rugby league era, Bob Fulton AM, an influencer of rugby league who will be deeply missed.
Bob was a Sea Eagle through and through. His love and passion for the game was immense as was the NRL community for Bob. He will forever be in our memory’s as one of the greatest players and coaches ever seen in rugby league.
A player, a coach, a friend and one giant of the game.
Sport Australia Hall of Fame are mourning a great loss and our deepest condolences are with, Anne, Scott, Brett, Kristie and the entire Fulton family, the Manly Sea Eagles and the broader Rugby League community.”
Bob Fulton was one of the first four Rugby League Immortals named in 1981, and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 as an Athlete Member for his contribution to the sport of rugby league.
Read Bob Fulton’s full biography here.
