Fred Munnery’s story has been compiled in conjunction with rugby league historian Tony McCarron. Key information has been provided that has helped build a life and sporting timeline for this player.
George, Fred, and Alfred Munnery were all active in sporting circles in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. George played cricket and was involved in athletics, Alfred was a good cricketer and dabbled in athletics. However it was Fred Munnery that excelled at both rugby union and rugby league.
Fred Munnery lived in Marrickville NSW and was recorded playing rugby union as early as 1902. He switched over to play for the Newtown Rugby League Club in 1909 and played First Grade for two seasons. He then moved on to Wests in 1911.
The Wests First Grade players list indicates player #87 as A. Munnery. The Newtown past players list refers to him as Fred Munnery. The Rugby League Project indicates that A. Munnery and F. Munnery were different players.
Alfred and Frederick Munnery were brothers however it is likely that Fred Munnery was misreported from time to time as A. Munnery given that his brother Alfred was well known in sporting circles.
There is no indication that Alfred Munnery played for Wests or Newtown or in fact played rugby union or rugby league. Alfred was a good all round cricket player who played with the Marrickville Cricket Club. Alfred Munnery was the proprietor of a number of Sydney hotels. These included the Northern Hotel, Parramatta, the Carrington Hotel, Windsor and the Club Hotel Campbelltown, NSW.
