SPORT

Because of his diminutive size, they nicknamed him“ Pony”, but lemme tell ya, on the rugby league field he was a rootin’, tootin’ stallion.

Err … um, not in the producingoffspring area, but in playing the Greatest Game of All.

SPARKLING FIRE is an unraced Trapeze Artist 3YO out of the Pfieffer camp. He look burly when showing great speed and easily winning 1100m trial at C’ bury on Dec 2.

CINSAULT is a former Cummings mare now out of the Michael Freedman. There was a lot to like about her powerfully finishing burst to win 900m trial at C’ bury on Dec 2.

LUMBINI is an unraced Russian Revolution 2YO filly out of the Waterhouse-Bott yard. Showed pace in competitive trial and ran away from rivals final 200m. don’ t miss her.

Despite his smaller frame – he stood just 165cm and tipped the scales at 63.5kg – his playing and coaching skills ensured he became a giant of the game. Arthur James Halloway passed away aged 75 in January 1961, mourned by all associated with rugby league.

Arthur“ Pony” Halloway proudly poses for the birdie in his 1908 – 09 Kangaroo jersey.

PARADOXIUM has shown vast improvement going on strong 895m trial win at C’ bury on Dec 2. Showed pace and when clicked up, bolted away from under pressure rivals.

CRIMSON WINGS showed a bit of toe to be just behind leaders until straightening in 895m trial C’ bury on Dec 2. When give more rein, bounded away from under pressure rivals.

FIREPOP is out of the Ryan-Alexiou yard and showed speed and strong down the running in winning 890m trial C’ bury on Dec 2.

As a player and coach, the halfback won more premierships than any other – seven as a player and captain-coach, and four solely as coach.

( Attention Phil Bowen – that adds up to 11!)

He holds the record for the greatest number of premiership wins, chalking up eight as a coach, one ahead of Wayne Bennett. The pocket-rocket was involved at the highest levels of the game for 40 years.

His illustrious career kicked off in 1907 when an Australian line-up – all recruited from Rugby Union ranks – took on a visiting New Zealand side. That was the very first match played under rugby league rules in Australia!

In the NSWRL’ s debut season in 1908, he pulled on a jersey for Glebe and remained heavily involved right up to coaching Canterbury-Bankstown in his final season in 1948.

Throughout his NSWRL playing career, the tough-as-teak Pony played 157 first-grade games, appeared 27 times for NSW, once for Queensland and ran on in 10 Tests for Australia.

Pony represented Australia on the first Kangaroo tour of England in 1908 – 09, running on in 24 of the 45 games and, later in his career, he captained the’ Roos on three occasions. He toured with the Second Kangaroos in 1911 – 12 – all matches, as on the initial tour, were played in Great Britain – and his final away tour with the Kangaroos was a series in New Zealand in 1919.

Tough! He was so tough that where he spat, the pavement cracked( oldie but a goldie!). Crikey, on one occasion he turned up to play minus a finger following an accident at work that very morning!

Despite his size, Pony played in a similar vein to the renowned rugged halfback of more recent years, Tommy“ Ridiculous” Raudonikis.

After captain-coaching Balmain to the 1920 premiership, Pony headed up to Ipswich and later that year was selected in a Queensland side to play NSW. Back in NSW, he coached Newtown in the 1923 season before heading bush to coach at Parkes and then Lismore.

Back then, players could earn more by going out into the sticks – free accommodation, a job in the local pub and a footy wage to boot.

Returning to Sydney, Pony linked with Easts for premiership victories in 1930 – 31, and 1933 and’ 38. He coached Newtown in 1940 – 41, won premierships back with Easts in 1945 and’ 47, before ending his coaching career with Canterbury in 1948.

Many accolades came his way after retirement. He was the sixth inductee into the NRL Hall of Fame, was named among Australia’ s 100 Greatest Players( 1908 – 2007), and was an early recipient of Life Membership of the NSWRL way back in 1914. The Tigers legend was also selected at halfback in the Balmain Tigers Team of the Century( 1908 – 1999).

Arthur“ Pony” Halloway – remember the name!

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26 ISSUE 127 // JANUARY 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT