David Armstrong (born 9 April 2001) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Leigh Leopards in the Super League. He previously played for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League.
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 9 April 2001 Moree, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 82 kg (12 st 13 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 13 October 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
editBorn in Moree, New South Wales, Armstrong played his junior rugby league for the Mungindi Grasshoppers before moving to Goondiwindi, Queensland with his family when he was 12.[2] He finished his schooling as a boarder at Toowoomba Grammar School.[3]
Playing career
editEarly years
editIn 2019, Armstrong joined the Redcliffe Dolphins, playing for their Mal Meninga Cup and Hastings Deering Colts teams.[4][5]
In 2020, Armstrong signed with the Newcastle Knights and was set to play for their Jersey Flegg Cup team before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.[6] He returned to Queensland, playing for the Goondiwindi Boars in the Toowoomba Rugby League, where he scored a hat trick in their 2021 Grand Final win over Highfields.[7]
In 2022, Armstrong returned to Newcastle, playing for their Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup teams.[8] In 2023, he began training with the club's NRL squad and was named on the extended bench for their round 27 match against the St. George Illawarra Dragons.[9]
2024
editIn 2024, Armstrong joined Newcastle's NRL top 30 squad on a one-year contract.[10] In round 8 of the 2024 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for Newcastle against the Dolphins,[11] scoring a try on debut.[12]
In round 11, Armstrong scored a hat-trick in the clubs 28-24 victory over the Gold Coast.[13] On 11 June, Armstrong handed in a transfer request stating he wished to leave the Newcastle club.[14]
In June, it was revealed that Armstrong would be joining English Super League side Leigh Leopards in 2025 on a three-year deal.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ "David Armstrong - Playing Career - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
- ^ "The 'lightning quick' Knights rookie set to fill Ponga's big shoes". Fox Sports. 26 April 2024.
- ^ "Grammar students plough ahead with agriculture trial". Courier Mail. 20 March 2018.
- ^ "Redcliffe Dolphins ready to take on Wynnum Manly in Herald Cup battle". Courier Mail. 20 March 2019.
- ^ "QRL U18 Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup - 2019 Round 5". League Unlimited. 2 April 2019.
- ^ "Where TRL star David Armstrong will play this weekend". The Chronicle. 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Huge crowds witness epic grand final". Warwick Today. 26 September 2021.
- ^ "2022 Round 3 NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg team lists". Newcastle Knights. 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Dragons v Knights Round 27 NRL Team List". Newcastle Knights. 29 August 2023.
- ^ "2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Finucane hangs up the boots". National Rugby League. 23 April 2024.
- ^ "Dolphins v Knights Round 8 NRL team list". Newcastle Knights. 23 April 2024.
- ^ "Knights fend off late surge to beat Dolphins". National Rugby League. 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Armstrong hat-trick propels Knights to thrilling win as Titans fume over late Bunker call". au.sports.yahoo.com.
- ^ "Newcastle Knights starlet David Armstrong set for Super League move after handing in transfer request". www.totalrl.com.
- ^ "Club Statement: David Armstrong". Newcastle Knights. 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Leigh sign Knights full-back Armstrong for 2025". BBC Sport. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.