Robbie Mears
{{short description|Australian rugby league footballer and coach}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Robbie Mears
|fullname = Robert Mears
|nickname =
|image =
|imagesize =
|caption =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1974|9|25}}
|birth_place = Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
|height = {{convert|173|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|89|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|HK}}
|club1 = Eastern Suburbs
|year1start = 1993
|year1end = 96
|appearances1 = 11
|tries1 = 1
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 4
|club2 = {{nowrap|Canterbury-Bankstown}}
|year2start = 1997
|year2end = 98
|appearances2 = 16
|tries2 = 7
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 28
|club3 = Auckland Warriors
|year3start = 1999
|year3end = 00
|appearances3 = 40
|tries3 = 10
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 40
|club4 = Leeds Rhinos
|year4start = 2001
|year4end =
|appearances4 = 24
|tries4 = 7
|goals4 = 0
|fieldgoals4 = 0
|points4 = 28
|club5 = Wests Tigers
|year5start = 2002
|year5end = 04
|appearances5 = 57
|tries5 = 15
|goals5 = 0
|fieldgoals5 = 0
|points5 = 60
|club6 = Leigh Centurions
|year6start = 2005
|year6end =
|appearances6 = 14
|tries6 = 0
|goals6 = 0
|fieldgoals6 = 0
|points6 = 0
|retired = yes
|updated = 23 January 2019
}}
Robert Mears (born 25 September 1974) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. His usual position was as a {{rlp|hk}}.
Background
Mears was born in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.
Early years
Mears played for Ingleburn Bulldogs, Eaglevale St Andrews, Campbelltown City Kangaroos, and Austral Rams in the Western Suburbs District Junior League. While attending Campbelltown's St. Gregory's College, Mears played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1992.{{cite web|title=SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424|accessdate=2008-10-10| publisher=SportingPulse}}
Australia
{{BLP unsourced section|date=January 2018}}
Mears joined the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1993 and made his first grade debut in Round 14, coming off the bench against the Parramatta Eels. However over the next three seasons Mears was only used sporadically by the club and he made just ten more appearances for the Roosters.{{cite web|url=https://www.roosters.com.au/about/past-players/|title=Men's Honour Roll|website=Sydney Roosters}}
Looking for more first grade opportunities, Mears joined the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 1997. He started in reserve grade but got an opportunity to play first grade when Jason Hetherington went down injured. In 1998 he was a regular in the reserve grade team and played in the side that defeated the Parramatta Eels' in the Grand Final.
Auckland Warriors
{{BLP unsourced section|date=January 2018}}
Not wanted by the Bulldogs for 1999, Mears moved into the bush and played for the Ourimbah Magpies in the Country Rugby League Central Coast Division. His form was good enough to make the Country Firsts team for the curtain raiser to the ANZAC Test, where his performance got him noticed by several NRL clubs.
He was signed by the Auckland Warriors after injuries to both Syd Eru and Jason Death, and made his debut for the club in Round 11. He went on to play 40 first grade games for the club over the next two seasons and was a fan favourite. However, with the purchase of the club, but not the players contracts, by Eric Watson at the end of the 2000 season, Mears was left looking for another club.
Leeds
Mears joined the Leeds Rhinos as their final signing for the 2001 season. However he had a horror run at the club, fracturing his collar bone in the first game of the season. While recovering from injury his house was burgled four times.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/rugby_league/1756790.stm Mears takes swipe at Rhinos] BBC Sport, 12 January 2002 He managed to recover and play 23 Super League games for the club, showing good form and being awarded the Supporters Player of the Year award. However, in the final game of the season he severely fractured his cheek bone after a high shot by Sonny Nickle.[https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-77996514 Victory at a price; Mears injury mars Leeds celebrations] The Liverpool Daily Post, 8 September 2001 Nickle was suspended nine games for the high shot and Mears was awarded damages after a lawsuit.[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_league/article383445.ece Leigh bring in Mears to boost their chances of survival]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Times, 21 April 2005[http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sports/2001/12/27/vikings-ring-out-18-12-overture-100252-11500195/ Vikings ring out 18-12 overture] Liverpool Echo, 27 December 2001 Mears left the Rhinos at the end of the season, unhappy with his treatment at the club.
Wests Tigers
Mears joined the Wests Tigers on a one-year deal for the 2002 season. His return to the NRL proved to be a success and he played 24 games for the Wests Tigers, earning a new contract in the process. Mears played for the Wests Tigers for two more seasons, playing in 33 more games. He was released from his contract at the end of 2004 due to the emergence of Robbie Farah as a hooker at the Tigers.
Leigh
Not retained by the Tigers after the 2004 season, Mears instead joined the Mittagong Lions club in the Country Rugby League Group 6 competition.[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20050430/ai_n14606851 Mears relishes second chance for career in England] The Independent, 30 April 2005[http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=21873 Mittagong Sign Group 6 Leading Try-Scorer] rleague.com, 28 November 2004
In April 2005 Mears returned to England, joining the Leigh Centurions on a one-year contract, with an option for a second year.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/leigh-look-to-experienced-mears-to-fight-drop-495773.html Leigh look to experienced Mears to fight drop] The Independent, 21 April 2005[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby_league/s/155/155549_leigh_sign_mears.html Leigh sign Mears] Manchester Evening News, 20 April 2005 He replaced an injured Jason Ferris as the quota player of the Centurions. Mears played in fourteen games for the Centurions however they were relegated at the end of the year and he left the club.
Country Rugby League
In 2006 Mears joined the Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters in the CRL Group 6 competition. He captained the side and scored their only try in the Grand Final, when they defeated the Picton Magpies 6–0.[http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-2396-21990-0-0&sID=23140 Player Profiles 2008] Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters Official Site He also played for the club in 2007 and 2008.[http://goulburn.yourguide.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/extratime-thriller-stockies-beaten-on-buzzer/686218.aspx Extra-time thriller: Stockies beaten on buzzer] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120711032120/http://goulburn.yourguide.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/extratime-thriller-stockies-beaten-on-buzzer/686218.aspx |date=11 July 2012 }} Goulburn Post, 29 August 2007
In 2009 Mears joined the Narellan Jets as the head coach.[http://camden.yourguide.com.au/news/local/sport/general/narellan-jets-can-fly-says-mears/1436274.aspx Narellan Jets can fly, says Mears] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710012556/http://camden.yourguide.com.au/news/local/sport/general/narellan-jets-can-fly-says-mears/1436274.aspx |date=10 July 2012 }} Camden Advertiser, 18 February 2009 The Jets also play in Group 6.
Coaching
In 2022 Mears coached a Western Suburbs Magpies Under 17 team to win the Harold Matthews Cup. The team was undefeated in their ten matches.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2022/04/30/magpies-cap-stunning-season-with-harold-matthews-cup-grand-final-win/ |title=Magpies cap stunning season with Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final win|last=Honeysett|first=Stuart|date=30 Apr 2022|website=NSWRL|access-date=30 Apr 2022}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20081117101448/http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=69 Profile at leedsrugby]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080721020347/http://bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=player&id=618 Robert Mears bio at Bulldogs Official Site]
- [http://www.rugbyleague.co.nz/player.aspx?id=633&teamID=66 Robert Mears bio at rugbyleague.co.nz]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mears, Robbie}}
Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England
Category:Australian rugby league coaches
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players
Category:Leigh Leopards players
Category:New Zealand Warriors players
Category:People educated at St Gregory's College, Campbelltown
Category:Rugby league players from Liverpool, New South Wales
Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales