Wests Archive would like to thank Max Knight, Richard’s grandson. He has generously contributed his time and information in the preparation of this profile.
Richard “Dicky” Swanson and his brother George Swanson were actively involved in a number of sports in the St George District including cricket, lacrosse, rifle shooting, boxing and of course rugby league.
The St George rugby league Club did not have a First Grade team until 1921. St George became Wests Third Grade team for a number of years. Richard Swanson made his connection to Wests initially through this means.
There is question mark as to whether Richard’s brother, George ever played for Wests or in fact whether he played rugby league at all. A George Swanson played First Grade rugby league for Wests in 1917. This person also appears in a team photo from that year. It would be easy to assume that this was Richard Swanson’s older brother.
Newspaper reports from 1917 do not indicate which of the Swansons were playing that year. The reports just referred to the players as Swanson.
Wests Archive has been contacted by a descendant of the G Swanson that appeared in the 1917 team photo. This player was also George Swanson but not related to Richard and George Swanson of Hurstville. The George Swanson from 1917 did live in the St George district and was of indigenous descent. It is likely that he was one of the very first Aboriginal players to have played First Grade rugby league.
Richard’s grandson, Max Knight has confirmed that the image of George Swanson from the 1917 photo is not related to his family.
A playing profile has been built for all of the Swansons from this period.
