Sterlo last game

Round 3, 1992: Wests 22 d Parramatta 16

Any Australian who appreciates sport will long remember Sunday April 5th, 1992. It was Round 3 of the Winfield Cup, Parramatta versus Wests at Parramatta Stadium. Towards the end of the first half Peter Sterling was hit hard in a tackle by David Gillespie. At that moment, his rugby league career ended.

Officially, Sterlo retired at 4.10pm Monday April 6th in a press conference at Parramatta Stadium - the domain he dominated for so long. With a tear in his eye and a catch in his voice he told the world his playing days were over. Finished. Ended. Harsh words to a player freely lauded as the world's best - a player who knew he had it in him to give another two years. Sterlo knew that, but his shoulder didn't. His form had not wavered in any way. Look at 1990! In what we know to be his last full season, he walked away with the Rothmans Medal! He won it twice, plus two Dally M's, the Addidas Golden Boot Award and countless others.

Peter Sterling is an ornament to the game. The tributes that poured in after his retirement were simply incredible! They came from his Parramatta, NSW and Australian team mates, his coaches, his opposition, commentators, and from supporters who've followed him since he arrived at Parramatta as a long haired 17 year old from Wagga. The accolades were plentiful and he deserved every one. It's only once in a blue and gold moon that players of his ability come along. He was Parramatta. He was Australia. He was rugby league. And one thing's for sure. Long after we're dead and gone, the legend of one P.Sterling will still be shining.

Wests 22 (M.Bell 2, R.Wyer, S.Burns tries, J.Taylor 3 goals) defeated Parramatta 16 (S.Mahon, J.Bell, C.Blair tries, A.Fitzhenry 2 goals). Referee: K.Jeffes. Crowd: 13,253.