09/09/2026
Vale Brien (Meggsy) Merrick Bull #192
It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of one of the Bulls toughest and most successful ever players.
A rugged and uncompromising Front Rower Meggys commenced playing Senior Rugby at “Gods Acre” in 1975, in 2nd Grade starting a long love affair with the game and those he played with,
amassing 194 Club Games during 18 seasons.
Many will tell you they were very thankful they played with Meggsy than against him, so feared by those he played against in and era were the dark arts of the front row and the ruck were not for the faint hearted.
Former teammate Max Young reports, ‘After a game at the Army Camp against Army as he was undoing his boots in the changeroom he was complaining to Jinker about the state of his boots – ‘the lace eyelets were filled with congealed blood and it was hard to undo the laces – it was Army blood and he was blaming them!’
Meggsy’s also offered some very sound advice as a coach to his forwards, when entering a ruck: ‘If it is round and white, pick it up and run hard, if it is round and has hair on it, kick the s@&t out of it’.
Ohh how times have changed.
Playing the following;
56 1st Grade
52 2nd Grade
32 3rd Grade
54 4th Grade
194 Club Games
Last game in: 1992
Seasons Played:1975-1992
Awards:
1976 1st XV Most Improved
1977 2nd XV Best and Fairest
1979 1st XV Most Consistent Forward
1990 4th XVRucking Mug
Achievements:
1977 2nd XV Premiers
1978 1st XV Premiers
1979 1st XV Premiers
1980 3rd XV Premiers
1982 2nd XV Premiers
1983 2nd XV Premiers
1984 3rd XV Premiers
1987 4th XV Premiers (3rd Grade comp.)
1988 2nd XV Premiers
1989 2nd XV Premiers
1991 4th XV Premiers(Captain/Coach)
Brien was Captain Coach of the Bulls opening Grade Premiership win in the NRU guiding the 1991 4th XV to victory in the Newcastle Rugby Competition after the Bulls stepped up from the Hunter Valley in 1990, a great achievement in only their 2nd season in the top tier.
This was the last of one of the 11 Premierships Brien won as a player, making him one on the most successful players in the Clubs History.
Another very proud moment was when the fearsome, uncompromising front rower was named as the Ho**er in the 50th Anniversary Year Team the “Dirty, Filthy, Rotten Scoundrels”.
Very fitting for a very proud Bull.
In his post playing days Brien was a regular at home games and on the road over the years, watching both his sons Tim and Simon pull on the Red and Black for many season.
You will certainly be missed, Rest Easy Meggsy. #192
For those that are unable to attend the celebration of his life, see the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/share/19LAF5w8mM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
