A brilliant centre in his day, Ron was born in Mayfield, Newcastle and commenced playing for Canterbury-Bankstown in 1941. He was the first player to both represent and captain Australia.
- Status: Pending1941Debut against North Sydney.
- Status: Pending1942Grand Final win against St George.
Beginnings
Ron played 88 first grade games in his six years and is still regarded as among the finest centres to play with the club. In 1941 he took over as captain-coach of Canterbury and led the club to its second premiership title by defeating St George in the 1942 grand final. Bailey scored a try in the first Test in Sydney which finished an 8-all draw. A record crowd of 64, 527 was in attendance.
Achievements
1946 was undoubtedly Ron's greatest year as he was selected to Captain NSW against QLD in the first of two interstate matches before the Test team to play Great Britain was announced. He was appointed Test captain in the Second Test in Brisbane. He was forced to withdraw from the Third Test team because of an ankle injury and Australia ultimately lost the Ashes series.
Post Representation
Bailey returned to West Maitland as captain-coach where he would later retire and live the rest of his life.