Dale Copley
{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Dale Copley
|fullname =
|image = Dale Copley.jpg
|imagesize =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|07|29}}
|birth_place = Ingham, Queensland, Australia
|height = {{convert|184|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|95|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|CE|WG}}
|club1 = Brisbane Broncos
|year1start = 2009
|year1end = 15
|appearances1 = 72
|tries1 = 31
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 124
|club2 = Sydney Roosters
|year2start = 2016
|year2end =
|appearances2 = 14
|tries2 = 5
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 20
|club3 = Gold Coast Titans
|year3start = 2017
|year3end = 20
|appearances3 = 57
|tries3 = 20
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 80
|club4 = Brisbane Broncos
|year4start = 2021
|year4end =
|appearances4 = 3
|tries4 = 1
|goals4 = 0
|fieldgoals4 = 0
|points4 = 4
|club5 = Sydney Roosters
|year5start = 2021
|year5end =
|appearances5 = 2
|tries5 = 2
|goals5 = 0
|fieldgoals5 = 0
|points5 = 8
|retired =
|updated = 2 June 2021
}}
Dale Copley (born 29 July 1991) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a {{rlp|ce}} or {{rlp|wg}}er for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos over two separate spells, as well as the Roosters and the Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League.
Background
Copley was born in Ingham, Queensland, Australia and moved to Brisbane at a young age and attended Wavell State High School.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
Copley played baseball in his youth and represented Queensland as a teenager. Peter Gahan of the Australian Baseball Federation said that Copley was at one time one of the country's best hitting prospects since Dave Nilsson.{{cite news |title=Cronk and Copley just two stars baseball has lost |url=https://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/cronk-and-copley-just-two-stars-baseball-has-lost/2213029/#/0 |access-date=8 March 2019 |work=Fraser Coast Chronicle |date=March 28, 2014 |language=en}} Copley was one of the youngest players to ever complete the Major League Baseball Australia Academy Program. Copley chose to quit baseball and focus on rugby the day before he turned 16 years old and Major League Baseball clubs would have been allowed to offer him a contract.{{cite news |last1=Garry |first1=Chris |title=Dale's MLB snub finally paying off |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/brisbane-broncos-speedster-dale-copleys-baseball-snub-finally-pays-off/news-story/1000f48e9248bf6149158cfbd07a4525 |access-date=8 March 2019 |work=The Courier-Mail |date=28 July 2014 |language=en}}
Playing career
He played his junior rugby league for the Aspley Devils before being signed by the Brisbane Broncos. He played in the Broncos NYC between 2009 and 2011.
=2009=
In round 15 of the 2009 NRL season, Copley made his NRL debut against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at {{rlp|fb}} in the Broncos 12–46 loss at Remondis Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-sharks-beat-brisbane-broncos-46-12/story-e6frexrr-1225739343389|title=Sharks Beat Broncos 46-12|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-10-11}} In his third first grade match, in round 20 against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, he scored his first NRL career try in the corner from a spectacular flick pass from Justin Hodges at dummy half in the Broncos 18–34 loss.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/gold-coast-titans-demolish-battling-brisbane-broncos-34-18/story-fn2mcuj6-1225754486191|title=Titans DEmolish Broncos 34-18|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=2015-10-11}} Copley playing in four matches and scored two tries his debut season.
=2010=
Copley played in two matches and scored a try for the Brisbane Broncos in the 2010 NRL season, spending most of the year in Brisbane's NYC team.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
=2011=
Copley finished the Brisbane Broncos 2011 NRL season by playing in 17 matches and scoring eight tries.
=2012=
After Brisbane winger Jharal Yow Yeh suffered a career ending ankle injury in round 4,{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/brisbane-broncos-winger-jharal-yow-yeh-facing-a-long-haul-to-return-to-his-best/story-e6frep5x-1226312883174|title=Broncos Winger Jharal Yow-yeh Facing a Long Haul to Return to his Best|publisher=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=2015-10-11}} Copley replaced Yow Yeh on the wing, playing in 15 matches and scoring four tries for the Brisbane club in the 2012 NRL season.
=2013=
Copley's 2013 NRL season was ruined by a season ending patella tendon injury in his right knee in the Broncos' first trial match at the Gold Coast Titans at Dolphin Oval in Redcliffe.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/brisbane-broncos-winger-dale-copley-out-for-season-with-knee-injury/story-e6frexnr-1226579725072|title=Brisbane Broncos winger Dale Copley out for season with knee injury|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-10-11}}
=2014=
On 14 February 2014, Copley was selected in the Brisbane Broncos inaugural 2014 NRL Auckland Nines squad, where they finished as runners-up.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|title=Squads For Auckland Nines|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2014-02-14|access-date=2015-10-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115214258/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|archive-date=15 January 2016|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/squads-named-for-auckland-nines/tabid/10874/newsid/76063/default.aspx|title=Squads named for Auckland Nines|publisher=NRL|date=12 February 2014|access-date=19 April 2017}}
He returned to the Brisbane Broncos first grade team in round 1 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, scoring a try in Brisbane's 18–12 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/the-brisbane-broncos-have-beaten-the-canterbury-bulldogs-1812-in-a-slugfest/story-e6frf56c-1226848543466|title=Broncos Have Beaten Bulldogs 18-12|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=2015-10-11}} Copley finished the 2014 NRL season as the Broncos highest try-scorer with 16 tries and playing in all of the Broncos' 25 matches. On 15 September 2014, he was selected for the Australia Kangaroos Four Nations train-on squad, but didn't make the final squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/broncos-trio-ben-hunt-josh-mcguire-and-dale-copley-have-been-stamped-as-future-test-stars/story-fniabm4i-1227059545141|title=Broncos Trio Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire and Dale Copley Have Been Stamped as Future Test Stars|publisher=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=2015-10-11}}
=2015=
Leading up to the Broncos Queensland derby 2015 NRL Grand Final against the North Queensland Cowboys, Copley was named as 18th man as cover for the retiring Justin Hodges (who waiting at the NRL Judiciary after being placed on report for a lifting tackle).{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/brisbane-broncos-blitz-sydney-roosters-31-12-to-charge-into-2015-nrl-grand-final/story-fni3gn3s-1227544403189?sv=413171e6caad9d445b36a5bec8ee2a8f|title=Brisbane Broncos Blitz Sydney Roosters 31-12|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-10-11}} Hodges was later cleared.{{cite web|url=http://m.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-grand-final-2015-justin-hodges-nrl-judiciary-escape-to-end-dale-copleys-dream/story-e6frf3pc-1227549670127|title=Grand Final 2015 : Justin Hodges NRL Judiciary Escapes to End Dale Copley's Dream|publisher=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=2015-10-11}} Copley finished his injury plagued 2015 NRL season with playing nine matches and scoring a try for the Brisbane club.
=2016=
On 12 January, Copley was selected in the QAS Emerging Maroons squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.qrl.com.au/news/2014/12/16/qas_emerging_squads_.html|title=QAS Emerging squads 2015|date=16 December 2014 |publisher=Queensland Rugby League|access-date=2016-01-16}} On 18 January, he signed a three-year contract with the Sydney Roosters starting "with immediate effect through to the conclusion of the 2018 season", after being released by the Brisbane Broncos to free up salary cap.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/roosters-sign-dale-copley/tabid/10874/newsid/91375/default.aspx|title=Roosters sign Dale Copley|date=17 January 2016 |publisher=NRL.com|access-date=2016-01-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/dale-copley-signs-with-roosters-20159/#Aiq6SQLTeS9S9vPB.97|title=Dale Copley signs with Roosters | NRL|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=2015-04-03|access-date=2016-01-19}} In round 1 of the 2016 NRL season, Copley made his club debut for the Sydney Roosters against arch-rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs, playing at centre in the 10-42 loss at the Sydney Football Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/reynolds-sutton-injured-as-bunnies-smash-roosters/tabid/10874/newsid/93486/default.aspx|title=Reynolds, Sutton injured as Bunnies smash Roosters|website=NRL.com|date=6 March 2016 |access-date=2016-09-17}} In round 3, against the North Queensland Cowboys, Copley suffered a pectoral muscle injury in the Roosters' 0-40 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium and he later missed ten weeks of football.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/injuries-compound-roosters-woeful-night/tabid/10874/newsid/93917/default.aspx|title=Injuries compound Roosters' woeful night|website=NRL.com|date=17 March 2016 |access-date=2016-09-17}} He returned for the Roosters in round 13, against the Wests Tigers, in a 32-16 win at the Sydney Football Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/roosters/jared-waereahargreaves-stars-roosterstigers-player-ratings/news-story/eb870a71bd872c266940a635d6ca4f3f|title=Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Stars|website=Dailytelegrpah.com.au|access-date=2016-09-17}} In round 19, against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Copley scored his first club try for the Roosters in the 20-32 loss at the Sydney Football Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/cronulla-sharks-win-14th-nrl-game-in-a-row-with-victory-over-sydney-roosters-20160718-gq8h5z.html|title=Cronulla Sharks win 14th NRL game in a row with victory over Sydney Roosters|website=Smh.com.au|date=2016-07-18|access-date=2016-09-17}} In round 21, against his former club the Brisbane Broncos, Copley played his best match of the season, where he scored two tries and was awarded with the Man of the Match honours in the Roosters' 32-16 win at the Sydney Football Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/former-bronco-dale-copley-stars-as-roosters-down-brisbane-3216/news-story/88ebe7038d778079f7335a80d13b48d5|title=Former Bronco Dale Copley Stars as Roosters Down Brisbane 32-16|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=2016-09-17}}{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-video-daley-copleys-middle-finger-to-wayne-bennett-and-his-brisbane-broncos/news-story/2e377ecf2c218d863ed48746f3375a06|title=Home | Live Scores & Latest News|work=Fox Sports|date=28 July 2016 |access-date=2016-09-17}} Copley finished his first year with the Sydney Roosters, with playing in 14 matches and scoring five tries in the 2016 NRL season.
=2017=
On 15 March 2017, Copley signed an immediate two-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans after being released from his contract with the Sydney Roosters.{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/injuryhit-titans-chase-roosters-centre-dale-copley/news-story/dfb2d843b0c7f434ca7a0de0367d0f73 |title=Injury Hit Titans Chase Roosters Centre Dale Copley |website=Goldcoastbulletin.com.au |access-date=2017-04-17}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dale-copley-leaves-roosters-to-sign-for-gold-coast-titans-20170315-guydkc.html |title=Dale Copley leaves Roosters to sign for Gold Coast Titans |website=Smh.com.au |date=2017-03-15 |access-date=2017-04-17}} Copley was to make his club debut for the Gold Coast in round 3 against the Parramatta Eels but was blocked from playing in the match due to him signing with the club two days prior before and not being named in the 21-man squad.{{cite web|last=Bailey |first=Scott |url=http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/03/15/11/28/copley-leaves-nrl-s-roosters-for-titans |title=Titans hopeful Copley debuts against Eels - NRL |website=Wwos.nine.com.au |date=2017-03-15 |access-date=2017-04-17}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/new-titans-signing-dale-copley-set-to-make-his-gold-coast-debut-tomorrow-pending-nrl-tick/news-story/80fb383dce3e7d12b388881f5e137b93 |title=NRL denies Titans signing Dale Copley chance to make Gold Coast debut tomorrow |website=Goldcoastbulletin.com.au |access-date=2017-04-17}} He made his club debut a week later in the Titans 26-32 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys. However, he scored two tries in the match.
=2018=
Copley made 13 appearances for the Gold Coast in the 2018 NRL season as they finished 14th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/08/gold-coast-titans-2018-season-review/|title=Gold Coast Titans 2018 season review|website=NRL|date=18 October 2018 }}
=2019=
Copley made a total of 15 appearances for the Gold Coast and finished as the club's top try scorer in the 2019 NRL season as they endured a horror year on and off the field. During the halfway mark of the season, head coach Garth Brennan was sacked by the club after a string of poor results. The Gold Coast managed to win only four games for the entire season and finished last claiming the Wooden Spoon.{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2019-titans-signings-contact-jai-arrow-ash-taylor-mal-meninga-paul-kent/news-story/c3f13d1c4729944c04718c59244b0574/|title=The Titans are full of 'hot air'. Their latest blunder proves it|website=Adelaide Now}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jul/14/gold-coast-titans-sack-coach-garth-brennan/|title=Gold Coast Titans sack coach Garth Brennan|website=The Guardian|date=14 July 2019 }}
=2020=
Copley played ten games for the Gold Coast in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished ninth on the table and missed the finals. Copley later signed a contract to re-join one of his former clubs, Brisbane for the 2021 NRL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/nrl-2020-nrl-contract-news-signings-transfers-tyrone-roberts-leaves-gold-coast-titans/news-story/fc243b6b9be9fa4e9cf98cd4c2e8d616/|title= Former captain Tyrone Roberts shown the door by Gold Coast Titans|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date= 12 October 2020}}
=2021=
In August, Copley re-joined the Sydney Roosters from Brisbane. In round 22 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored a try for the Sydney Roosters against Brisbane in a 21-20 victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-13/roosters-panthers-grab-the-points-in-lang-park-double-header/100363926/|title=Sydney Roosters beat Brisbane Broncos 21-20, Penrith defeats St George Illawarra 34-16|newspaper=ABC News|date=13 August 2021 }}
The following week, Copley broke his foot during the club's victory over St. George Illawarra and was ruled out from playing for an indefinite period. At the end of the 2021 NRL season, Copley announced his retirement.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/08/26/culture-club-rare-rabbitohs-praise-for-busted-roosters-rivals/|title=Rare Rabbitohs praise for busted Roosters rivals|website=www.nrl.com|date=26 August 2021 }}
=Post Career=
Copley now works as a lawyer at GRT Lawyers.{{cite news|url=https://grtlawyers.com/our-team/#dale-copley|title=Our Team|newspaper=GRT Lawyers|date=20 May 2025}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |
| 2009
| rowspan="6" |{{Leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} Brisbane Broncos |4 |1 |4 |
| 2010
|2 |1 |4 |
| 2011
|17 |8 |32 |
| 2012
|15 |4 |16 |
| 2014
|25 |16 |64 |
| 2015
|9 |1 |4 |
| 2016
|{{Leagueicon|Sydney|16}} Sydney Roosters |14 |5 |20 |
| 2017
| rowspan="4" |{{Leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans|16}} Gold Coast Titans |19 |5 |20 |
| 2018
|13 |5 |20 |
| 2019
|15 |9 |36 |
| 2020
|10 |1 |4 |
| rowspan="2" |2021
|{{Leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} Brisbane Broncos |3 |1 |4 |
| {{Leagueicon|Sydney|16}} Sydney Roosters
|2 |2 |8 |
| |Totals
|148 |59 |236 |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.titans.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/gold-coast-titans/dale-copley/ Gold Coast Titans profile]
- [http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/16/playerid/722/seasonid/45/default.aspx NRL profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418082651/http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/16/playerid/722/seasonid/45/default.aspx |date=18 April 2017 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160129042349/http://www.roosters.com.au/team/profiles/dale_copley.html Sydney Roosters profile]
{{Sydney Roosters 2017 Auckland Nines Champions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Copley, Dale}}
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Brisbane Broncos players
Category:Gold Coast Titans players
Category:Norths Devils players
Category:Rugby league fullbacks
Category:Sydney Roosters players