Group 14 legend Peter receives a visit from his old mates Ross & Bob

Recently, Western Region Committee Wellbeing officers Ross Tighe and Bob Pilon went and visited their old friend Peter Duffy.

Peter grew up in Dubbo, however he attended school at the famous rugby union nursery, St Joseph’s College in Hunter’s Hill. Peter completed high school and graduated from university with a law degree, before taking himself back near his grassroots to Coonabarabran in 1960, where he worked with a local firm called Martin Cunningham and Co.

Following years of playing rugby union at school, Peter’s skills adapted swiftly to rugby league, where he played in ‘Coona’. In his first two seasons, Peter played in the top grade under coach George Green and in 1961 and 1962 was a member of the winning Group 14 premiership sides.

A talented second-rower, Peter and his best mate John Estens were renowned for their formidable hard-edged tackling. It’s widely known by those that lived in that era that the Group 14 competition was one of the toughest in the country, as Peter took on players of the calibre of Earl Harrison, Denis Cubis, Ray Hyde and many others.

In the mid-1960’s, Peter moved to Canowindra to take up a position at a different law firm and sucessfully coached the under 18’s side to a premiership win against Dubbo Macquarie, where wellbeing officer Bob Pilon was a member!

Having lived in ‘Coona’ from 1954 to 1962 and playing in lower grades, fellow wellbeing officer Ross Tighe witnessed all of Peter’s games first hand and he reminisced about their team and the many happy years spent at the club. Similarly, Peter and Bob had plenty to discuss about the under 18’s side at Canowindra with Dubbo Macquarie reversing the win the following year.

Ross and Bob spent over an hour chatting with Peter, who was presented with a Men of League Foundation polo shirt and wished the best for the future.