Brad Drew Biography

Australian rugby league footballer

Source:

Brad Drew (born 25 August 1975) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. A City New South Wales representative hooker, he played in Australia for Penrith, Parramatta and Canberra and in England for Huddersfield and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Playing career

Drew made his first grade debut for Penrith in Round 19 1993 against Balmain at Leichhardt Oval.

Drew made no first grade appearances for three years before making his next appearances in 1996. It wasn't later in his Penrith career that Drew featured more prominently for the team. In 2000, Drew played for Penrith in their semi final defeat against Parramatta. This was Drew's last game for Penrith and he signed for Parramatta in the aftermath.

Drew played at hooker for the Parramatta Eels in their 2001 NRL grand final loss to the Newcastle Knights. In the 2002 season, Drew played for Parramatta in their finals loss against the Brisbane Broncos.

In 2003, Drew signed for Canberra. In the 2003 season, Canberra finished in 4th place on the table. Drew played in their elimination finals loss against New Zealand. The following year in 2004, Canberra again made the finals and Drew played in their finals defeat against the Sydney Roosters.

Drew later signed to play in the Super League for English club Huddersfield Giants. He played for Huddersfield in the 2006 Challenge Cup Final at hooker against St. Helens but the Giants lost 12–42.

Drew was the fitness conditioner for Scotland in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, having been a critical part of the coaching and management staff for a number of years.

After an impressive stint at rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Drew re-signed for Huddersfield Giants in September 2009.

Coaching career

In 2016, Drew became manager of Ron M*ey Cup team The St Mary's Saints. In his first year of management, Drew took St Mary's to The Ron M*ey Cup grand final but fell short to The Mount Pritchard Mounties. In 2017, St Mary's finished as minor premiers in The Ron M*ey Cup but were defeated by The Auburn Warriors in the preliminary final.

After playing career

In 2014, Brad Drew became a Real Estate Agent in the Lower Blue Mountains region. Brad is a local 'card shark' and is often seen hustling punters of cash by flipping coins, throwing darts, around the pool table and shuffling from the bottom of the deck.

References

    Further reading

    • "My life in rugby league: Brad Drew" interview at TotalRL.com
    Brad Drew