Club Historian Bill Dalton looks back on the career of Peter Sterling on the 37th anniversary of his Hull FC debut.
The blond Australian scrum-half made only 36 appearances in the Black & White colours of Hull FC, but three of them were in major finals and his unique brand of wizardry enthralled the Boulevard faithful.
A key figure in Australia’s unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ touring squad in the autumn of 1982, Sterling made his test debut at Boothferry Park in Hull, in the first test of that series and he went on to become a regular in the Kangaroos test side over the next six years.
The Parramatta half-back made his debut for Hull at Wakefield on 4th December 1983 – a match in which his fellow Australian icon, Wally Lewis, also made his debut for Trinity.
Hull triumphed in that game by 32-16. ‘Sterlo’ finished up making eight appearances before having to return down under for the 1984 ARL Season.
He returned on a longer contract the following season. His magic steered Hull to a magnificent 29-12 Yorkshire Cup Final victory over rivals Hull KR at Boothferry Park, after being 12-0 down. Peter was voted the White Rose Man of the Match for his wonderful display.
He appeared in Hull’s other two finals that season – the John Player Trophy, when Hull KR gained some measure of revenge on an ice-bound pitch, and again at Wembley against Wigan in May 1985, in what is still regarded as one of the greatest finals seen at Wembley.
His Parramatta and test half-back partner, Brett Kenny, playing opposite Peter came out on top, winning the Lance Todd Trophy, but Sterlo had orchestrated a magnificent fightback in the latter quarter of the game, almost snatching an improbable victory from the jaws of defeat.
With eighteen test match appearances for Australia and five Grand Finals in Parramatta’s colours, in addition to 13 State of Origin games for New South Wales, Peter is ranked amongst Australia’s finest.
Hull fans are adamant that there has been no better half-back to wear the club’s famous colours.
Peter was bestowed with the Honour of Freeman of Parramatta on 19th July 1992 on the occasion of the Great Britain Lions fixture with the Eels.
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