Bob Banks

Bobby Banks

Personal information
Full name	Robert Marjoribanks
Born	(1930-06-15)15 June 1930 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia
Died	10 July 2024(2024-07-10) (aged 94)
Playing information
Position	Five-eighth, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1950 Easts (Sydney) 18 5 0 0 15 1951 Charters Towers 1952–58 Newtown (Toowoomba) 1955–55 Waratah Mayfield 1956–57 Rockhampton 1959–60 Cunnamulla 1961–62 Cairns 1963–63 Tully Total 18 5 0 0 15 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1951 North Queensland 1952–62 Queensland 26 1 0 0 3 1953–62 Australia 15 2 1 0 8
Source:
Medals Men's rugby league Representing Australia Rugby League World Cup 1954 France Team

Robert Marjoribanks (15 June 1930 – 10 July 2024), known professionally as Bob Banks, was an Australian rugby league footballer, a Queensland state and national representative five-eighth, who made fourteen Test and nineteen other tour match appearances for the Australian national team between 1953 and 1962. He represented his adopted state of Queensland on twenty-six occasions during his career.

Early life

Banks was born in Tumut, New South Wales but in his childhood, he had relocated to the Newcastle area, from where his family originated, attending Hamilton Primary and Central High School, Newcastle where he represented in rugby league. He began his senior league career in the Newcastle competition before moving to Sydney in 1950 where he played with the Eastern Suburbs club.

Playing career

After his first top-grade season with Eastern Suburbs in 1950, Banks moved to Charters Towers in Queensland. While there he was selected to represent for Northern Queensland against France, the first touring French Test side to visit Australia. In 1952 he made his state representative debut for Queensland, establishing a place in the team until 1962.

Banks was selected for the national Australian team in 1953, touring New Zealand before playing in the 1954 Ashes series. Banks took part in three Ashes series - 1954, 1956–1957 and 1962 - and he also participated in the inaugural World Cup competition in 1954.

In 1959, Banks played in the Queensland victory over New South Wales that attracted 35,261 spectators, smashing Brisbane's previous record for an interstate match of 22,817.

Banks captained Queensland for two years, 1959 and 1960. In 1953 he captain-coached Northern Queensland, winning the state competition. He retired in 1963.

The Gregory's reference published contemporaneously to his career, reports that he was not a speedy player, but a great field general, ball distributor and grand defender. Whilst equally at home at five-eighth or centre his teammates preferred him to occupy the pivot spot to benefit from his on-field organisational skills.

On 24 October 2000, Banks was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his rugby league achievements.

In 2008, rugby league in Australia's centenary year, Banks was named at five-eighth in the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century.

Death

Banks died on 10 July 2024, at the age of 94.

References

• Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson (2007). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-877082-93-1.
• Malcolm Andrews (1992). ABC of Rugby League. Sydney, New South Wales: ABC Enterprises. p. 35. ISBN 0-7333-0176-2.

External links

• Bobby Banks at unofficial Foley Shield website