Ron Raper surrounded by family members
Ron Raper forged a reputation as Queensland’s version of Jack Gibson when he steered Wests to back-to-back Brisbane Premierships in 1975-76 after the Panthers had last tasted Grand Final success in 1954.
Ron, who played in the 1967 Sydney Grand Final for Canterbury-Bankstown, moved to Brisbane in 1973 and represented his adopted State against New South Wales that same year, from the Redcliffe club, where his coach was former Test halfback, Barry Muir.
But it was as a coach, particularly at Wests, where Raper – nicknamed ‘Megsy’ – regularly made the front and back pages of newspapers, whether it was for using a megaphone in front of the Lang Park Grandstand to issue instructions to his players during a game, or for his coaching duels with Barry Muir.
Wests and Redcliffe were represented at an 80th birthday bash for Ron at Wests’ home ground, Purtell Park, Bardon on November 22, 2025, with Ron’s extended family displaying their affection for their much loved patriarch. Ron, who resides in aged care in Brisbane, has not been in the best of health and the event proved a wonderful tonic, with Wests’ Old Boys manning the barbecue and bar.
Former players in attendance included Wests’ 1976 Grand Final skipper, Bob Green; brothers Norm and Wayne Carr (both Qld reps), Rod Bradshaw, Kevin Langer, Wayne Treleavan, Glen Adams, Brett Schultz, Graham Strutton, (all Wests); James Sandy (Wests and Redcliffe); Tony Obst (Redcliffe) and Trevor Day, a former Redcliffe player who coached Wests. Also in attendance was iconic Queensland television news reader, Bruce Paige, a devoted Wests’ supporter.
Kevin Langer, older brother of Broncos’ legend, Allan, spoke of his shock at the physical demands Raper made of his players during pre-season training, particularly the dreaded run to the top of Mt Coot-tha and back.
“When I finally made the time Ron demanded of me, the season had begun,” joked Langer, who captained Wests in the 1980s. “Ron had promised to improve my chip and chase game before the first round, but now I had to wait until the next off-season.”
Ron is one of nine brothers, with twins, Gerard and Peter flying up from Sydney for the occasion. The Raper clan includes Rugby League Immortal, Johnny Raper, who played against his little brother a number of times in the Sydney competition. Johnny’s representative career had finished by the time Ron played for the Maroons against NSW.
There is a legendary story of Ron running off Belmore Oval after a game for Canterbury with a spectator yelling: “You’re not as good as your brother.” to which Ron replied: “Who is?”
Ron was lock in the Canterbury side which ended St George’s 11-year Sydney premiership reign with a 12-11 win in the 1967 Sydney preliminary final. Johnny played lock for a Dragons’ side captained by Test hooker, Ian Walsh. Canterbury captain-coach, Kevin ‘Kandos’ Ryan said the ‘Berries’ would not have won but for a magnificent try saving tackle by Raper on St George’ Test centre, the great Reg Gasnier. Canterbury played Souths in the Grand Final a week later with Ron kicking a first half field goal. Souths went on to win 12-10.
Ron made his debut for Canterbury in 1966 and by the time he left in 1972 had played 128 First Grade Premiership games and had captained the club. He was Canterbury’s player of the year in 1967.
When Ron moved north he was named captain of Redcliffe, and it was from the Dolphins he was chosen for Queensland for matches against New South Wales, with his former South Sydney rival, John Sattler (Wests) captaining the Maroons. Sadly Queensland failed to score a point in the two matches Raper played against the Blues – both at Lang Park.
Redcliffe finished fourth in the 1973 minor premiership, but made it to the Grand Final with wins over Norths and Easts respectively with Raper kicking five goals against Norths and six against Easts. Valleys won the Grand Final 15-7 with Raper kicking two goals, but finishing the match with a broken arm.
Redcliffe missed the finals in ’74 and despite having a year left on his contract Raper stunned Dolphins’ fans – and coach, Muir – by announcing he would take up an offer to coach Wests, who had finished last that season.
Wests recruited well in the off-season with Wallaby five eighth, Geoff Richardson – a product of Taree rugby league – the headline act. Harry Cameron, Greg ‘Slippery’ McCarthy, Kel Brown, John Armstrong and Pat Kelly were recruited from Easts in Sydney with Queensland brothers Henry and Max Williamson joining from Newtown.
Wests finished minor premiers and faced third placed Redcliffe in the Grand Final in front of a crowd of 41,000 with the coaching rivalry between Raper and Muir dominating headlines all week. Wests, captained by Brown, led 19-4 at halftime but Redcliffe scored 20 points to seven after the break to almost snatch victory.
The Raper-Muir rivalry came to a head in the pre-season competition the following year with Muir sending out his men with instructions to ‘take no prisoners’ in a floodlit match against Wests at Lang Park. Referee Bernie Pramberg sent off four Redcliffe players – John Barber, Bob Jones, Steve Bullow, Tony Obst – and Rod Bradshaw from Wests. Jones told the Family of League Foundation ‘Celebration of the 70s’ lunch last year that Barber and Raper had a scuffle on the sidelines as Barber headed to the sheds.
Redcliffe finished fourth in 1976 and were eliminated by Souths in the first week of the finals. Wests beat minor premiers Easts 16-1 in the Grand final and as a reward Wests made history by appointing Raper to a fulltime coaching role in 1977, Wests reached the finals again only to go down 5-4 to Redcliffe in the major semi-final and then 9-5 to eventual Premiers, Easts in the preliminary final. Late in the season Raper had given a chance in first grade to a red haired youngster from Padua College – Paul Vautin.
Under Raper Wests played an entertaining style of football and the Panthers consistently drew big crowds at Lang Park and Purtell Park. It wasn’t uncommon to see a 20,000 plus crowd at Lang Park for a home and away game.
Raper had a year off in 1978 before returning to Redcliffe as coach in 1979, replacing Ian ‘Bunny’ Pearce. The Dolphins missed the finals and Test coach, Frank Stanton succeeded Raper in 1980. Raper returned to coaching with Wests in 1983 and went head-to-head with Muir again, with Muir having succeeded Graham Lowe at Norths.
Wests won the 1983 pre-season competition, but finished last in the premiership for the second year in a row, with Raper shown the door. He remained a Wests man, and in ensuing years was president; leagues club manager and groundsman, working tirelessly to keep Wests as a force in senior football. Ron was also a devoted supporter of Family of League and was a regular at Brisbane Kick-Off Club functions.
There were many emotional moments during the Purtell Park birthday function. The day finished with Ron and members of his extended family making their way across the playing surface for a photo opportunity in front of the Erica Quinn/Ron Raper Hill.
“It was a great day and Wests did ‘Megsy’ proud,” said Ron’s brother, Gerard.
And to show that Ron can still grab a headline, his 80th featured on Channel 9’s 6 o’clock News that evening.
Footnote: Maurie Raper died on February 20, 2026, aged 81, joining Johnny and Terry as the Raper brothers to have passed away. Maurie was a foundation player with Penrith when they entered the big time in 1967. He started his career with Canterbury and then played with Wests, before having a season in Central Queensland, where he played against the touring Great Britain side. He finished his Sydney career with Cronulla before signing with Helensburgh in the Illawarra League.
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I loved reading about Ron Raper, Steve.
He had a bit of a rivalry going with Norths halfback, Tommy Bishop too.