Frank Hyde
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Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2024
- Date of Birth:
- 07 February 1916
- Birthplace:
- Miller’s Point, NSW
- Nickname:
- -
Career
Milestones
- Centre for Balmain, Newtown and North Sydney (93 first grade games 1936-44), who represented New South Wales in six matches 1938-39
- Turned to refereeing after retirement before forging a legendary career as a broadcaster
- Called 31 consecutive grand finals on Sydney radio station 2SM (1953-83)
- Appeared regularly as a panellist on Ron Casey’s World of Sport program on Channel Nine
- Made countless overseas tours following Kangaroo teams, calling games and hosting supporters tours
- Awarded MBE and inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
Biography
Born in Sydney in 1916, Hyde played centre for Balmain, Newtown and North Sydney in 93 first-grade games between 1936 and 1944, scoring a try for the Tigers in their winning grand final in 1939. He represented New South Wales in six matches in 1938-39 and captained his state in ’39.
Hyde turned to refereeing after retirement before forging a legendary career as a broadcaster, calling 31 consecutive grand finals on Sydney radio station 2SM from 1953-83. Famously calling games from a card table set up on the sideline, Hyde’s unique description of players kicking for goal - “It’s long enough, it’s high enough, it’s straight between the posts” - became his signature catch phrase.
Frank Hyde introduces the 1973 Grand Final sides
Equally at home in front of the camera as behind the microphone, Hyde made regular appearances as a panellist on Ron Casey’s World of Sport program on Channel Nine. He was awarded an MBE and inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in recognition of his remarkable career and contribution to the greatest game of all.
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