Paul Elliott (born 5 December 1960) is an Australia former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s. He played for Illawarra and Canberra in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition.
. . . Paul Elliott (rugby league) . . .
In 1982, 21-year-old Elliott made his professional football debut with the Illawarra Steelers in Round 23 against the Canberra Raiders (the team he would later player most of his career for). Illawarra lost that game 19-26, after leading by 2 at the half-time break. The Steelers, at the time, were playing their first ever season, along with the Raiders. Elliott would play for the Steelers for the last 3 rounds of the season, eventually starting his first game as a second-rower in a Round 25 match-up against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Illawarra finished second from last and did not qualify for the postseason.[1]
Elliott signed with Canberra (the holders of the wooden spoon the previous year) in 1983. He played his first game with the club off the bench in a Round 9 loss against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. He became a regular starter at second row for Canberra after Round 14 (which was coincidentally against his former club the Steelers). The Canberra side finished 10th for the season.[2]
He scored his first career try against the Western Suburbs Magpies in Round 2 in 1984. Elliott’s try helped the Canberra side defeat Western Suburbs 22-12. 12 rounds later, Elliott scored his final try of the season against Cronulla. The Canberra side finished 6th, qualifying for the finals in the first time in club history. Their postseason campaign didn’t last long however, as they lost to the South Sydney Rabbitohs 23-4. Elliott concluded the season with two tries from 20 appearances.
. . . Paul Elliott (rugby league) . . .