Graeme Hughes is part of a rare breed. He is one of only six sportsmen to represent NSW at both cricket and rugby league. And as a sportsman with loads of natural ability born into a rugby league and cricket mad family, he was destined to do just that.
Graeme Christopher Hughes was born at Stanmore on 6 December 1955, the third and youngest son of Noel and Pat Hughes, a couple whose involvement with Petersham-Marrickville DCC and now Randwick Petersham Cricket, was legendary. A left-hand bat and a product of Bankstown’s Benilde College, he was just 15 when he made his Grade Cricket debut in Petersham-Marrickville’s 1971-72 3rd Grade team. The second half of his season however, was spent in 2nd Grade after knocking up 236 runs in a handful of games.
The youngster’s arrival also brought the club immediate success, winning the A W Green under 16 years competition. Team manager Bill Anderson in his annual report commented in relation to Graeme: “His drive and inspiration as captain was probably the greatest single factor in the team’s success”.
Graeme Hughes batting for NSW
Hughes’ playing influence in the win however, was with the ball rather than the bat. He opened the bowling and produced some devastating spells in finishing with 27 wickets at the amazing average of just 9.7. He knocked Randwick over for 52 with figures of 7-22, while in the Grand Final, he took 5-42 to have North Sydney out for 109, giving his team a win by a massive 10 wickets. He was later named captain of the Combined Green Shield team to play Country.
There was more success the following season when Petes took out the under 21 years Poidevin-Gray comp. Once again, Graeme Hughes was in the thick of it, heading the batting averages. With David Chardon and John Coyle spearheading the attack, he didn’t get a turn at the bowling crease despite his good Green Shield form the previous season. Hughes also celebrated his maiden Grade century that season, hitting 102 against Cumberland in 2nd Grade. That brought about his elevation to 1st Grade where he made his debut at age 17 years and 17 days in round 9 at Marrickville Oval against Western Suburbs. And while he only scored 8 runs, it was a proud family occasion as Graeme’s father, Noel, was also in the team.
Cementing a regular 1st Grade place in 1973-74, the following season brought more glory to the club with a 1st Grade premiership. It also gave Graeme three premierships in his first four seasons of Grade Cricket. He was one of the leading bats in that premiership win, scoring 463 and top-scoring with 42 in the Grand Final against Manly at Petersham Oval. Skipper Brian Riley commented in his annual report that Graeme was “definitely a player of the future if he decided to concentrate on cricket”. That was a reference to his undeniable talent as a 1st Grade rugby league footballer with Canterbury Bulldogs. Indeed, a few months after the cricket premiership win, the 19 year old Hughes was selected to play rugby league for NSW against Queensland.
State cricket selectors were also aware of his potential and the following 1975-76 season, Hughes was selected to play Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW. His first-class debut was against Victoria in Melbourne a week before Christmas. He made 19 and 13. Two matches later, the polished stroke-maker joined Gary Gilmour at the SCG when the pair put on 105 against South Australia with Graeme’s contribution 35. In all, Hughes played 20 matches for the Blues over a three year period, scoring 604 runs including three half-centuries with 65 at the MCG his best. He also took 19 catches to emphasise his value in the field.
While Hughes gave away first-class cricket prematurely to concentrate on his rugby league career, he continued to play Grade Cricket with Petersham-Marrickville. A leading player in the side over the years, he captained the team in 1981-82, just a year after he and his two brothers Garry and Mark, had led the Canterbury Bulldogs to premiership glory in the 1980 Rugby League Grand Final at the SCG. Graeme was dominant in that game, being given credit for the try which sealed the Bulldog’s victory.
Graeme Hughes with Steve Gearin celebrating Canterbury Bankstown Grand Final victory against Eastern Suburbs in 1980
In 1983-84, Hughes scored 784 runs for the season, a club record which was never broken. He hit two centuries that summer and another two the following season in a total of 636. He was one of the most consistent batsmen in Sydney and despite not being available for all matches due to his football commitments, in both 1991-92 and 1992-93 he led the batting averages for the entire 1st Grade competition with figures of 84.8 and 73.2 respectively.
When he eventually retired from cricket at the end of the 1993-94 season, the 38 year old had accumulated a total of 6,538 1st Grade runs in a career spanning 23 years. In all grades, his figures total 7,155 which extends to 7,928 with his Poidevin-Gray and Green Shield performances. He also took 99 wickets overall and held 98 catches. In 1991, he joined his father Noel, when he was awarded life membership of the Petersham-Marrickville club. And in the year 2000, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal.
As a “dual blue”, Graeme was the third cricketer from Petersham/Petersham-Marrickville to achieve the feat, the others being Bill Farnsworth and Dudley Seddon, both of whom played for Newtown.
Apart from his on-field sporting exploits, Graeme established himself as a respected media commentator, broadcasting rugby league and the Seoul Olympics for Channel 10 as well as calling the football for Channel 7. Mid-way through 2010, he published a book called “Dogs at War” covering the controversial history of the Canterbury-Bankstown Rugby League Club.
These days, Graeme runs a media events organisation and hosts the widely-syndicated sports show on Sydney Radio 2SM. He is also a popular Master of Ceremonies at Randwick Petersham Cricket functions.
The footballing Hughes brothers, Garry, Mark and Graeme
NSW Sheffield Shield Cricket team 1975/76 - Graeme Hughes, back row, second in from the right
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