 Poppa joined St. George in 1957 as a lock, but switched to five-eight in 1959, a move that "made him the fulcrum of a magical attack" and the spearhead of a sturdy defence. Former Super Coach Jack Gibson once said in respect to Clay"s tackling power: "When Clay was on the left the inclination was to detour right".
For this Poppa - a jibe at his balding head - was also known as "The Baron of Bruise". Arguably the greatest five-eight to wear the red and white, Poppa played for the Saints from 1957 to 1967 and scored 33 tries in 200 games.
He represented NSW and Australia and was a member of the 59-60 Kangaroo Tour, on which he played the second Test against Great Britain with two broken ribs.
In 1969, as third-grade coach he suffered a heart attack. Thus began the heart disease that eventually claimed him in September 1987.
Now Poppa will always be remembered along the Legends Walk at OKI Jubilee Stadium, where Clay joins the following honour list: Norm Provan, Kevin Ryan, Billy Smith, Ian Walsh, John Raper MBE, Reg Gasnier AM, Graeme Langlands MBE, Johnny King, Eddie Lumsden, Ken Kearney, Noel Pidding, Matt McCoy, Graig Young, Rod Reddy and Mark Coyne.
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St George Leagues Club
LEAGUES CLUB JOURNAL
