Toowoomba’s Once-In-A Century Rugby League Master

John Thomas (Tom) Gorman

Born June 1, 1901 - Died in Brisbane, June 22, 1978

Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century 2008

Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame 2007

Australia's 100 Greatest Rugby League Players (1908-2007)

Queensland Rugby League Team of the Century 2008

Sport Australia Hall of Fame 1985 (Original Inductee)

Toowoomba and the Darling Downs have produced some of the world's most outstanding rugby league players since the sport was introduced to Australia in 1907, but few have shone brighter than Tom Gorman.

Tom kicked off his rugby league career in 1918 with the Brothers club in Toowoomba before going on to play 34 matches for Queensland and 22 matches for Australia between 1924 and 1930.

The dashing centre three-quarter, known as "Gentleman Tom" is considered - 100 years after rising to prominence - as one of the most influential rugby league players to wear the Australian green-and-gold.

John Thomas (Tom) Gorman was born in Charters Towers on June 1, 1901.

He was educated at St Mary's Christian Brothers College in Toowoomba.

Tom began his footballing days with Past Brothers Christian Brothers Football Club in 1918 when the club was still playing rugby union.

After the Toowoomba Rugby Union affiliated the following year with rugby league, Tom made the transition to league where he soon made his representative debut with the Toowoomba Clydesdales.

Tom represented the "Galloping Clydesdales" between 1919 and 1925 during a period when Toowoomba defeated all comers including New South Wales, Great Britain and New Zealand.

He was described as fast and elusive and a fine handler in attack with sure defence and a good understanding of positional play - the Wally Lewis of his day.

Tom's career took him to Brisbane's Christian Brothers Football Club in 1926 where he became the team's first paid player.

He became the first Queenslander in 1929-30 to captain a Kangaroos touring team and was a member of the Maroons' team that defeated New South Wales in five consecutive interstate series from 1922-26.

Tom made his Test debut against England in the 1924 Ashes series.

He played 10 consecutive Ashes Tests from 1924 to 1930 and represented Queensland 34 times.

At the end of his playing days Tom served as a Queensland Rugby League administrator.

His numerous post-playing honours include his 2007 entry to the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame and his 2008 selection alongside century partner Mal Meninga in the "Queensland Team Of The Century".

Tom, in 1985, became one of only 22 rugby league players inducted to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Tom died in Brisbane, aged 77, in 1978.