Frank Sponberg

Francis Anthony Sponberg (1913-2000) was a rugby league player for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Canterbury Bulldogs and for the New South Wales Rugby League team.

Club career

Sponberg had a very successful club career, ultimately winning three grand finals with two different clubs.

A Canterbury junior, Frank Sponberg played for the Western Suburbs Magpies for three seasons between 1932-1934. He played lock in the 1934 Grand Final winning Western Suburbs Magpies team as a late inclusion.

He joined the new Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs club for their debut season in 1935. He played a total of 8 seasons with Canterbury between 1935-1944, including the 1938 Grand Final and the 1942 Grand Final.^[1] He spent the 1940 season as captain-coach of Wollongong, before returning to Canterbury in 1941.

Representative career

Sponberg represented New South Wales on 7 occasions between 1933-1935. He missed 1936 selection due to broken ribs.^[2]

Accolades

During 1936, Frank Sponberg was quoted in the press as "the next best lock to Wally Prigg in Australia." ^[3]

In 1985 Burns was selected in the Bulldog's 'Greatest Team Ever'.

In 2004 Frank Sponberg was named in the Canterbury 70th year Berries to Bulldogs Team Of Champions as lock forward.

In 2007 he was inducted into the Bulldogs Ring of Champions (Hall of Fame).^[4]

References

↑ Alan Whitaker - rugbyleagueproject.org
↑ Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson
↑ Wollongong Argus and South Coast Times: GREAT LOCK. 10/06/1936 (page 6) Article & Photo
↑ http://www.bulldogs.com.au/Frank Sponberg

Canterbury-Bankstown squad - 1938 NSWRFL premiers (1st title)

1. Tom Kirk 2. Edgar Newham 3. Alan Brady (Ca./Co.) 4. Jim Champion 5. Joe Gartner 6. Jim Duncombe 7. Roy McCarter 8. Eddie Burns 9. Roy Kirkaldy 10. Henry Porter 11. Jim McCormack 12. Roy McCallum 13. Frank Sponberg Coach: Jimmy Craig

Canterbury-Bankstown squad - 1942 NSWRFL premiers (2nd title)

1. Lindsay Johnson 2. Edgar Newham 3. Ron Bailey (c) 4. Ron Knight 5. Bob Jackson 6. Tom Ezart 7. Jack Bonnyman 8. Henry Porter 9. Roy Kirkaldy 10. Eddie Burns 11. George Elley 12. Bob Farrar 13. Frank Sponberg Coach: Jerry Brien

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