Mark Shulman (rugby league)

Mark Shulman
Personal information
Full nameMark Lewis Shulman
Born(1951-04-02)2 April 1951
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died12 February 2022 (aged 70)
Queensland, Australia
Playing information
Height5 ft 2 in (157 cm)
Weight9 st 7 lb (133 lb; 60 kg)
PositionHalfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1971–78 St George 58 8 0 0 24
Source: RLP

Mark Shulman (2 April 1951 – 12 February 2022) was an Australian rugby league footballer.[1]

Career

A Ramsgate United junior, he debuted for St. George Dragons in 1971, but for much of his career he was the understudy of club legend Billy Smith. Mark Shulman played halfback for the St. George Dragons in the New South Wales Rugby League in 1970-78.[2][3][4][5][6] In 1978, he was the team's captain.[7] Shulman won a premiership with the St. George Dragons, playing halfback in the 1977 Grand Final.

Described as a "shade over five feet tall and weighing around ten stone", Shulman was the smallest player in first grade when he debuted in 1971. He came into the side replacing Billy Smith, who had been sidelined with a broken arm.[8] A back and kidney injury put an end to his career at the end of the 1978 season.[9]

On 13 February 2022, it was announced that Shulman had died over the weekend.[10] His passing was acknowledged by current and former St George players at the following weekend’s NRL fixture. He was depicted in various forms throughout his career in Rugby League literature and most recently in artist Greg Simpkins’ piece entitled ‘Bantam’.[1]

References

  1. ^ Nathan Hollier (2006). Overland 182: The Capitalists and the Restless. OL Society, Limited. ISBN 0-9750837-9-1. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Rugby League Tables/ Mark Shulman Statistics". Stats.rleague.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Cronulla Delay Team Selection". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 June 1978. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  4. ^ Alan Clarkson (21 September 1977). "Fearnley is Undecided About Fitzgerald". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Dragons – Our Proud History – St George and Illawarra Rugby League". Leagueunlimited.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Rugby League Tables/ St George Point Scorers". Stats.rleague.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  7. ^ Brian Curran (28 April 1978). "Edge Goes as Saints Drop Four Players". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  8. ^ Alan Clarkson (11 June 1971). "Pint-sized Half in Saints' Side to Meet South". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  9. ^ Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995. (ISBN 1875169571)
  10. ^ "Dragons icon Mark Shulman dies suddenly at age 70". Nine's Wide World of Sports. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.