Paul Mellor

Paul Mellor (born 21 August 1974 in Sydney, New South Wales) is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for four different Sydney NRL clubs and in Britain before retiring at the end of the 2007 season. He primarily played on the wing or in the centres.

Early career

A South Sydney junior from the Matraville Tigers Club, Mellor is the youngest Rabbitoh in history having made his first grade debut at the age of 16 years and 10 months on 30 June 1991 against the Gold Coast Chargers.

Career

Mellor played 17 seasons at the highest level, spanning 221 NRL games and scoring 90 tries. He has played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Canterbury Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks and the Castleford Tigers in the UK.

Mellor does a lot of work with South Sydney Juniors, helping to bring through the next generation of young players. He also helps coach his sons’ teams in the Cronulla junior league.

Mellor was schooled at Marist Brothers in Pagewood, completing his Higher School Certificate before studying a Bachelor of Human Movement at the Australian Catholic University. He has also completed a level strength and conditioning course through the Rabbitohs.

Retirement

Mellor played his final game of Rugby League in the 2007 Qualifying Final against the Manly Sea Eagles on 8 September 2007 at Brookvale Oval, electing to retire from the game at the conclusion of the 2007 season.

Refereeing

Since retirement from playing, Mellor took up refereeing. He regularly appears as the video referee in NRL matches.

Career highlights

• Junior Club: Matraville Tigers
• First Grade Debut: Round 14, Souths v Gold Coast at the Sydney Football Stadium, 30 June 1991
• First Grade Record: 261 appearances scoring 108 tries