Tony Melrose

Who is Tony Melrose?

Tony Melrose is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played in the NSWRL Premiership for Parramatta, South Sydney, Manly-Warringah and Eastern Suburbs in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He primarily played in the centres or at Five-eighth.

Melrose began his footballing career playing rugby union. He was captain of the Australian Schoolboys and was a member of the team's undefeated tour of Great Britain in 1977. In that Schoolboys squad were the likes of the Ella Brothers Mark, Glen and Gary, as well as future dual international Michael O'Connor and future Australian Kangaroos captain Wally Lewis. He played for the Parramatta Two Blues and six tests for The Wallabies as a five-eighth before switching to rugby league in 1980 at the age of twenty.

Melrose was selected to represent New South Wales as a winger for game II of the 1982 State of Origin series, scoring two goals from three attempts.

After two seasons with Parramatta, Tony Melrose moved to Souths where he was the Rabbitohs leading point scorer in 1982 with 186 points, and again in 1983 with 154 points.