Eric Doig was born in the industrial town of Lithgow NSW in 1897. He is the younger half brother of William John “Pummy”Mantle, (Wests #60). Peter Baker in his book, Side Stepping Shrapnel, notes that, “If Rugby Union players like Pummy (Mantle) could be called the corner stone of Rugby League’s 1914 base in Lithgow, then Eric was one of Lithgow League’s capstones. There is no better example of the progression of the game in a short space of time than to reflect on the life of Eric.”
Eric Doig showed signs of speed and good reflexes at an early age. He was slim, had a fair complexion with blond ruffled hair. He had a quiet nature which ran counter to his reputation as a hard tackler and tactician.
