Paul Harragon

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Paul Harragon


fullname = "'Paul William Harragon
nickname = The Chief
school =
university =
relatives =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1968|10|12|df=yes
cityofbirth = Kurri Kurri, New South Wales
countryofbirth = Australia
height = convert|193|cm|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|111|kg|stlb|abbr=on
position = rlp|PR|SR
club1 = Newcastle Knights
year1start = 1988
year1end = 1999
appearances1 = 169
tries1 = 19
goals1 = 0
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 76
teamA = New South Wales
yearAstart = 1992
yearAend = 1998
appearancesA = 20
triesA = 2
goalsA = 0
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 8
teamB = Australia
yearBstart = 1992
yearBend = 1998
appearancesB = 20
triesB = 3
goalsB = 0
fieldgoalsB = 0
pointsB = 12
source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=11304 NRL Stats]

Paul "The Chief" William Harragon OAM (born 12 October, 1968) is an Australian rugby league identity. He was raised in the New South Wales town of Kurri Kurri, and played for Lakes United in the Newcastle competition. He joined the Newcastle Knights in 1988 and made his first grade debut in 1989 against the Balmain Tigers.

Harragon was one of the most imposing players of the 1990s, weighing in at around 111 kg and standing at 193cm, perfect for his position in the front or second rows. He represented and captained Country, New South Wales and Australia. He was named man-of-the-match in the second game of the 1994 State of Origin series and led the Knights to the 1997 ARL premiership title in a thrilling grand final against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Harragon excelled at the State of Origin level, making 20 consecutive appearances for New South Wales between Game I 1992 and Game II 1998 and is considered one of the toughest, most passionate men to ever grace that arena. He holds the records for the most consecutive Origin games by a New South Welshman and most appearances by a NSW forward. A devastating runner of the football, he was famous for throwing himself at the defensive line in fearsome displays of determination. He is remembered for his ongoing fiery attacking and defensive clashes with Queensland hardman Trevor Gillmeister and Manly prop Mark Carroll.

In 1999, Harragon participated in the first rugby league game to be played at Stadium Australia and Terry Hill scored the first try, not Harragon. Later that year, after playing 169 first grade games in a career lasting ten years, Harragon retired due to an ongoing knee injury mid-season.

Harragon has since become a media personality, working for local Newcastle station NBN Television, before joining Channel 9 as a member of "The Footy Show" panel (on which his "That's Gold" segment has become immensely popular), and as a football commentator. He is also a director and a life member of the Newcastle Knights, and is spokesman for NIB Health Funds and Subway.

On Saturday 1 September 2007, his single "That's Gold" debuted at #8 on the ARIA Singles chart and #2 on the ARIA Physical Singles Chart. The song was distributed by Destra Entertainment/MRA Records. "That's Gold" is a parody of Spandau Ballet's 80s hit "Gold".

Paul Harragon lives in Newcastle with his wife Pam, his daughter and two sons.

External links

* [http://www.stateoforigin.com.au/soogame/PlayerDetails.aspx?Pid=154 State of Origin Official website Rugby League Player Stats]
* [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/players/Paul_Harragon.html NRL points]
* [http://lyrics.rare-lyrics.com/P/Paul-'The-Chief'-Harragon/That's-Gold.html 'That's Gold' Lyrics]