Ron Raper

Ron Raper

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Personal information
Full name	Ronald Paul Raper
Nickname	Meggsie
Born	22 November 1945 Camperdown, New South Wales
Playing information
Position	Lock Forward
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1964–72	Canterbury Bulldogs	168	33	107	10	333
1973–74	Redcliffe Dolphins	32	2	100	1	207
	Total	200	35	207	11	540
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1973	Queensland	2	0	0	0	0
Coaching information
Club
Years	Team	Gms	W	D	L	W%
1975–77	Wests Panthers

Ronald Paul 'Ron' Raper (born 1945) was an Australian rugby league player and coach from the 1960s and 1970s.

The younger brother of the legendary Johnny Raper, Ron gave great service as a lock forward for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs joining them in 1964.

Born in Camperdown, in inner-western Sydney into a working-class family of nine boys, he played junior football for the East Hills Bulldogs before representing Canterbury's President’s Cup side in 1964.

He played seven first grade seasons for Canterbury between 1966-1972 and played lock in the 1967 Grand Final.

In 1965, Ron started the year in reserve grade and emerged as a talent during the season. In 1966, Ron received the opportunity to play first grade against Newtown when George Taylforth was relegated.

He secured a first grade position for the next 7 seasons.

In 1967, Ron played in all first grade games including the Grand Final against South Sydney. After missing two games in 1968, Ron played 51 consecutive first grade games between 1968 and 1971.

In 1970, Ron was appointed captain of the first grade team and captained the Bulldogs on 27 occasions. He played in the winning Pre-Season Final against St George and also played in the Semi-Final against St George.

Injuries finally caught up with Ron in 1971 and after losing his first grade position midway through 1972, he left the club to play for Ryde-Eastwood for the remainder of the season leading them to the Second Division Premiership.

Raper played 168 games for Canterbury and scored 333 points during his career.

He was awarded the Canterbury 'player of the year' in 1967.

In 1973, Ron moved to Brisbane to play for the Redcliffe Dolphins. He represented Queensland in two appearances that year and was unlucky to miss selection on the 1973 Kangaroo tour after breaking his arm in Redcliffe's BRL grand final loss to Valleys.

He became coach of the Wests Panthers in 1975 where he guided them to back to back BRL Premierships in 75 and 76 after Wests finished wooden spooners in 1974.

In 2004, Ron was nominated for the Canterbury Bankstown Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions.