Ron Raper (1945 – 2026)

Their Story

Ronald Paul Raper was an accomplished rugby league footballer and coach who left a significant mark on Australian rugby league across three decades. Born into a working-class family of nine boys in Camperdown, Sydney, Ron was the younger brother of legendary rugby league immortal Johnny Raper. A skilled lock forward, Ron joined Canterbury-Bankstown in 1964 and became a cornerstone of the club, playing seven seasons of first-grade football from 1966 to 1972. He was a key member of the 1967 grand final side and remained a consistent presence in the club's pack throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Following his time at Canterbury, Ron moved to Brisbane to play for the Redcliffe Dolphins, where he represented Queensland on two occasions. His career culminated in a distinguished coaching tenure with Wests Brisbane, where he transformed the club from wooden spooners in 1974 to back-to-back premiership winners in 1975 and 1976, cementing his legacy as one of rugby league's notable figures despite living in the shadow of his more famous brother.