Mark Laurie (rugby league)


Mark Laurie nicknamed "Pebbles" is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. A New South Wales Country representative centre who later moved to the forwards, he played his club football in the NSWRL Premiership for the Parramatta Eels during their golden period of the 1980s. He also played in England for Leeds and Salford.

Background

Laurie was the fifth of six brothers and the younger brother of Robert Laurie.

Playing career

In his first season at Parramatta he played from the bench in the 1982 Premiership decider, the club's second consecutive grand final victory. The following year they made it three in a row, with Laurie again playing from the bench.
During the 1983–84 Rugby Football League season Laurie played second-row forward, and was named man of the match in Leeds' 18-10 victory over Widnes in the 1983–84 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1983–84 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 14 January 1984.
Laurie won one more grand final with Parramatta in 1986, playing at lock. While at the Eels he spent two off-seasons in England with the Leeds club. After his final year with Parramatta in 1992, he moved to England's Salford club for one more season.