John Skandalis

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = John Skandalis
fullname = John Skandalis
nickname = Skando


caption =
country =
position = Prop forward
currentclub = leagueicon|Huddersfield|size=16 Huddersfield Giants
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1976|6|16|df=yes
placeofbirth = Sydney, New South Wales
countryofbirth = Australia
height = convert|190|cm|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|113|kg|stlb|abbr=on
club1 = leagueicon|Western Suburbs|16 Western Suburbs
year1start = 1996
year1end = 2000
appearances1 = 64
tries1 = 3
goals1 = 0
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 12
club2 = leagueicon|Wests Tigers|16 Wests Tigers
year2start = 2000
year2end = 2006
appearances2 = 166
tries2 = 15
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 60
club3 = leagueicon|Huddersfield|16 Huddersfield Giants
year3start = 2007
year3end = 2008
appearances3 = 41
tries3 = 4
goals3 = 0
fieldgoals3 = 0
points3 = 16
teamA = City Origin
yearAstart = 2004
yearAend = 2006
appearancesA = 3
triesA = 0
goalsA = 0
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 0
updated = 24 August 2008
source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=401 NRL Stats]

John Skandalis (born 16 June, 1976 in Sydney, New South Wales) is an Australian former professional rugby league player. He played for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Wests Tigers and Huddersfield Giants. He primarily played at prop forward.

Playing career

Skandalis was the last original Western Suburbs player left remaining at the Wests Tigers club after the merger in 2000. He signed on for the Magpies in the early 90's after playing out his junior years with the Minto Cobras and was awarded his first grade debut in the 1996 season in round 9 on 17 May against the Penrith Panthers.

Skandalis is known for his workhorse attitude and his never say die approach to rugby league and as the years have progressed his performances gradually caught the attention of representative selectors.fact|date=August 2008 This was seen in both the 2002 and 2004 seasons where Skandalis was dually awarded with his first representative call up for City team in the annual City v. Country fixture.

In the 2005 NRL, season Skandalis was a part of the Wests Tigers team, who won the NRL Premiership Grand Final on 2 October 2005. Many saw him as one of the best prop forwards in the country at the time and this left many disappointed that he was omitted from the Australian Rugby League side.fact|date=August 2008

On 14 June 2006, Skandalis signed a two year contract to play in Super League (Europe) with the Huddersfield Giants, starting from the 2007 season.

In 2008, Skandalis was made vice-captain of the squad, alongside Ryan Hudson. He led the team out against Wigan when regular captain Chris Thorman was injured and was proved a hit amongst spectators.

Skandalis returns to Australia at the end of the 2008 season following a knee injury, picked up early in the season, which prevented him from participating further. Skandalis has taken up a post with West Tigers Youth Development. [ [http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-giants/huddersfield-giants-news/2008/07/24/giants-skando-to-go-86081-21395497/. URL last accessed 2008-07-24.] But is still keen to play if possible.

His Greek heritage makes him eligible to represent Greece, which he has done as captain of the side.

References

External links