John Greaves
Centre, Wing
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2025
- Date of Birth:
- 08 May 1943
- Birthplace:
- Portland, NSW
- Nickname:
- -
- Debut Team:
- St George
- Date:
- 25 May 1962
- Opposition:
- -
- Venue:
- Sydney Cricket Ground
- Representative:
- 12 Test Matches for Australia, 7 Matches for NSW Firsts, 2 Matches for NSW City Firsts, 2 Matches for NSW City Seconds, 1 Match for NSW Country Firsts, 2 Matches for NSW Country, 1 Match for Sydney Firsts
- Clubs:
- St George: 1962-63, Canterbury-Bankstown: 1964-72
Career
Milestones
- CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN CAPTAIN: 1971-72
- BERRIES TO BULLDOGS 70 YEAR TEAM OF CHAMPIONS
- BULLDOGS RING OF CHAMPIONS
- CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN HALL OF FAME
Canterbury-Bankstown First Grade Record
- Games
- 112
- Goals
- 27
- Tries
- 38
- Points
- 168
Biography
Before his long and distinguished career at Canterbury, John Greaves (Bulldog no.303) featured in 28 games for St George between 1962 and 1963.
Looking for a permanent position in first-grade, something Canterbury could offer, Greaves also gained the opportunity to play under the legendary Clive Churchill.
Ironically, his move to Canterbury in 1964 saw him take on his former side in his first-grade debut for the Club, in his first of 112 matches in the Blue and White.
Canterbury gave me the opportunity. Money was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted to be an established first grade player, that's all.
John Greaves On his move to Canterbury
The following year Greaves stamped his name in first-grade, cementing a spot in the backline for the following seven years, before making his respective debuts for both NSW and Australia in 1966.
A member of the 1967-68 Kangaroos and a 1968 World Cup representative for Australia, Greaves went on to play 12 Tests and seven matches for his state.
Hall of Fame Inductee No 6: John Greaves
Helping guide the 'Berries' to the 1967 Grand Final - their first in 20 years - Greaves continued his strong form for the Club, despite being struck down by injury in 1969.
The accolades continued for the striking centre in the early 1970s, where he was named Captain of Canterbury-Bankstown for the 1971 season, leading the side out on 34 occasions until his final season with the Club the following year.
Season 1972 saw Greaves finish his career at Belmore on a high, recording a personal tally of 13 tries from 21 matches. He played his 112th and final match for the Club against Penrith in Round 22, kicking five goals in the 19-12 victory.
In 1973, John joined the Campbelltown club as Captain-Coach, representing Country Firsts before retiring from the game at the end of 1975.
Greaves was named in the centres alongside Premiership-winning Captain Ron Bailey in the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions in 2004, before being inducted into the Bulldogs Ring of Champions in 2007.
On February 11, 2025, he was inducted in the Canterbury-Bankstown Hall of Fame as part of the Club's 90-Year Anniversary celebrations.
Hall of Fame Members
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs respect and honour the Darug and Eora nations, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.