Vale Noel Pidding

One of the Kangaroos’ greatest goal-kicking wingers, Noel Pidding, has passed away aged 86.
A Premiership-winner with the Dragons in 1949, scoring two tries and kicking a goal in their 19-12 Grand Final win over the Rabbitohs, Pidding set a host of point-scoring records during a decorated first grade career spanning 10 seasons.

The first Dragons player to top 200 points in a club season (1951), Pidding scored a record 27 points in the 1950 City-Country match.

On the 1952 Kangaroos tour, Pidding amassed 228 points, second only to the legendary Dave Brown’s record of 285 (Brown played 10 more matches) while in 1954 he set a then individual record for an Australian player in an Ashes Test with 19 points (one try and eight goals).

“History shows Noel was an integral part of a golden generation of Kangaroos representatives,” ARL Commission Chairman, Mr John Grant, said.

“His point-scoring talents stand amongst the best in the game, as does his ability as both a fullback and winger. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Norma and his family at this time.”

Pidding’s funeral will be held at 12pm this Friday, August 23, at Leppington Lawn Cemetery, in the North Chapel.