Douglas Graeme McCoy – Legends of the Real McCoy The Real McCoy: Read Now and Be Prepared
- Douglas McCoy, St George’s new Five-eight played his first Competition First Grade game with St George Rugby Union.. McCoy is the youngest first- grade football in the competition at 18 years of age. Doug fitted in like a natural. McCoy dislocated his shoulder when two of the West’s players were out to give him a welcome to First Grade illegal tackle when they lifted Doug up and pile prove McCoy into the ground in a spear tackle. McCoy took all the weight on his shoulder which popped out, Without even seeking medical attention, Gary Beath the St George’s inside centre clicked it back in and McCoy played on to finish the game as if nothing happened. The St. George doctors gave Doug two weeks off to get his shoulder right.
1976 Top Try Scorer Rugby League First Division for Garden Island Rugby League and First Grade Centre and Full-back for St George Rugby Union
Yes, Douglas respected and learned from his amazing Superhero father who taught:
“No one ever kicks a dead dog, you have to be up and doing something to get criticised…” and
“The further up the ladder you get, the more of your bottom is showing. So if you are going to be successful you’ll have to learn to put up with criticism…”
Chosen The Sexiest Man In Rugby Union:
As a Young Athlete Douglas was chosen as “The Sexiest Man in Rugby Union” and asked to do a centre fold for Cleo (Girls) Magazine, which he rejected the offer and payment? But Doug did some modelling shots for their photographer.
Doug McCoy was not only the Real McCoy of Rugby Union:
Douglas McCoy at 18 years of age, while playing with St George Rugby Union and First Division Rugby League:
• McCoy was the MC at a National SWAP Convention, when the Great Public Speaker Ron Tackie stated in one of his famous speeches to over 1,500 guests “Douglas McCoy is the ideal Pin-up Boy for a Sperm Bank.”
• Did some modelling on the catwalk, broachers and commercials. Doug was an ACTOR in some documentaries and the American movie: – “The Natalie Wood Story.”
1977 – 78
England for Two Years
and Played for Eastleigh Rugby Union.
“Man of The Match”
1979
Best and Fairest – “Man of The Match”
Rugby League First Division
For New South Wales against Queensland last year before State of Origan started.
and First Grade Utility Back for St George Rugby Union.
SENSATIONAL RECORD BREAKING RETURN
• Doug McCoy holds the St George Record for scoring: “The Most Tries in One Day”: “Six Tries” (or 6 Touch Downs in American Football terms: 6 Touch Downs).
• In March after all the pre-season games and several rounds into the competition McCoy RETURNED from England after 2 years away from Rugby. First week back in Australia Doug went to training with St George. There were six grades Doug could have been chosen in, but on reputation alone from 2 years ago McCoy was chosen as Inside Centre in Second Grade. McCoy played like he had never been away from the game and scored a remarkable 4 tries. The five-eight got injured in First Grade so they called for “Doug McCoy” even though he had just completed a full game, St George didn’t bring on a reserve, Saints got McCoy back on the field.
• McCoy scored straight away, and from then on started to run rampage over the opposition directing the St George outside backs to score try after try. Doug put up three up and unders and St George scored off all three. McCoy score two tries to bring his total for the day to six tries which equaled the St George Club Record which still stands.
• Soon after his incredible 6 tries on his first day back with St George on returning from England, McCoy was selected to play a curtain raiser at Suncorp Stadium (“Lang Park” as it was named in May 1979. Douglas represent his State; NSW in Rugby League and played against Queensland, winning ”Man of The Match – Best and Fairest for NSW.” This was one year before the famous “State Of Origin” Series started). The Queensland crowds were wild and were throwing beer cans and anything they could at the NSW players.
Doug McCoy was a late inclusion to the NSW Team and wasn’t in the program print. BUT was the “Man of The Match” – “Best and Fairest for NSW”.
While Doug McCoy was overseas in the UK for two years St George were relegated to Second Division. With McCoy back the St George back line worked incredibly well. In 1979 St George scored a record of over 100 tries for the season.
With Glenn DeVanso the outside centre scoring about 25 tries. McCoy scoring some 23 including the 6 on his first day back. St George were ready to win the Grand Final which they did. SAINTS won the Minor Premiership and went on to win the Grand Final and regained their First Grade position back again, where they were all the years before McCoy went overseas.
Doug McCoy never played football on Sundays. This was his religious choice whating to keep the Sabbath Day holy. Doug had never played on Sunday during his whole carreer. So McCoy had missed out in Representative selection. McCoy agreed to play the Semi Final to see who went straight into the Grand Final. So all the St George players and officials were so excited they all offered to come to church with Doug that Sunday before the game. They were all so chocky and confident, as they though God would bless them as most of them had not been to church except when they were christened, married or a funeral. At half time St George were down 3 – 16, Sydney University were all over St George. With 15 minutes to go St George were getting frustated and looking at McCoy for answers. They had been to church and expected blessings. McCoy could not work it out also. WHY? Was the heavenly asked question??? Five minutes to go the score was 3 – 19. There was a penalty to St George, they kicked for touch, McCoy called a cross over move which Doug was to receive the ball. The move worked perfect, McCoy cut through the opposition and score St Georges first try. It was converted. Off the kickoff, a mall formed, McCoy called for the ball and swong the ball quickly through the back line, the winger had no were to go so kicked inside the ball was gathered and Conlon from St George dived over for their second try which was quickly converted. The ball was kicked off with seconds to go till full time. McCoy called for fast ball to swing the ball wide again to the left wing again. The winger kicked in field again for the ball to be gathered and cross for Bruce Battishall to score and allow Crowie to kick his third goal from three attempts and win St George the sensational game 21 to 19. It could only be explained as a mirical – McCoy was carried off the field and the huge bottle of champaine was pored over his head as Doug does not drink alcohol. The whole St George team were believes in miricals that day. The Dragon’s went straight into the Grand Final which St George won for 1979.
On the Grand Final T-Shirt – The St George Premiership shirt the reasons “SAINTS” won the Grand Final was printed on all the T-Shirts: and under McCoy’s name it had: “Dougie’s Friend” being of cause God.
1980
First Grade Utility Back for St George Rugby Union.
1981
First Grade Utility Back for St George Rugby Union.
Doug McCoy retired at the end of 1980, Doug was busy running the Rebounder business throughout Australia.
St George were not winning any games. So St George rang McCoy and asked Doug to come back and help the boys.
So Doug came back. St George never looked back and started winning each game that season. Shame they had lost so many before McCoy’s return, otherwise they would have made the Finals.
1982
First Grade Utility Back for St George Rugby Union
Doug McCoy retired as he had a baby girl Emma, and Doug was busy running the Rebounder business throughout Australia. St George were not winning any games. So St George rang and also sent this letter to McCoy, asking Doug to come back and help the boys.
So Doug came back. First game he was captain of Second Grade to get McCoy fit, but straight away he was off with an intercept virtually off his own line, 95 meter out. McCoy swooped on the floating ball, which he had been an “Intercept Specialist” McCoy out ran the opposition to score a 95 meter try. He was back and placed straight back into First Grade. St George never looked back and started winning each game that season. Shame they had lost so many before McCoy’s return, otherwise they would have made the Finals.
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