Wests Archive would like to thank Neville’s sons Anthony Spence, Carl Spence and Neville’s daughter-in-law, Mary Spence for generously contributing their time and information in the preparation of this profile.
Neville Spence grew up in Keating St Lidcombe, just a short walk from Lidcombe Oval. In his early years he could be found at the local boxing gym where he learned how to handle himself. Those skills would be useful for a hooker competing with some of the tough men that came through the second world war.
However, it was rugby league that soon attracted a young Neville Spence. He played with Lidcombe juniors, then Presidents Cup before being graded with Wests in 1941. He was with Wests until 1947 and was regarded as one of the best hookers in the game.
His father Frank was a selector and committee man with Wests. After a falling out with Wests coach Frank Burge, Neville moved to the new Parramatta club in 1948.
Neville played with Parramatta until 1952. Following an altercation with Wests Secretary Lou Moses, at Cumberland Oval, Neville was cited by the NSWRL. He was suspended for the remainder of the 1952 season as well as the 1953 and 1954 seasons. It would have to be one of the longest suspensions handed out to any grade rugby league player.
Neville was a quiet unassuming man off the field and regretted that his career had come to a premature end. After retiring he often volunteered and assisted young players at Patrician Brothers Fairfield, Holy Cross Ryde, and Marist Brothers Benedict Auburn. He provided advice in the ways of scrummaging and dummy half tactics.
The young Benny Elias, a future Australian representative hooker, was among a number of players Neville had the privilege of assisting.
