Don "Bandy" Adams never stood much taller than a modern day goalpost pad.
But he was a giant in the eyes of those, like me, who had the privilege of being coached by him many years ago and a legend to anyone who knew of his great achievements as a player.
Small, stocky and distinctly bow legged, hence the nickname, Bandy passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86 in his home town of Scone. He will be remembered at a service at St Mary's Catholic Church at 11 am next Tuesday.
Born in Maitland in 1934, he played 191 games for the club, debuting as a 17-year-old in the 1951 grand final against Northern Suburbs and he represented NSW [seven times] and Australia [five Tests] while still a Pumpkin Picker.
The diminutive winger was named man of the match after scoring three tries for Australia against New Zealand in a Test at the SCG in 1956 and went on the 1956 Kangaroo tour, playing Tests against Great Britain and France and scoring 11 tries in 21 games on tour.
After leaving Maitland, he played and coached at Gloucester before setting in Scone. He is a life member of all three clubs.
