Fonda Metassa (died 26 May 2018[2]) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer. Known as "the Golden Greek", he played in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Fortitude Valley and Norths, and in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 1960s.

Fonda Metassa
Personal information
Full nameFonda Metassa
Bornc. 1938
Died26 May 2018 (aged 80)
Playing information
PositionThree-quarter back
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Fortitude Valley
1960–61 South Sydney 13 6 0 0 18
Norths (Brisbane)
Total 13 6 0 0 18
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1966 Queensland 1
Source: [1]

A powerful winger, Metassa played two seasons (1960 and 1961) for South Sydney. He became a part of Brisbane Rugby League folklore when, in a 1968 reserve grade match for Norths against Souths at Lang Park, he burst from the back of an ambulance to return to the field after being carted off injured.[3][4][5][6] Metassa also played one match for Queensland against Great Britain in 1966. The following season he played in Norths' Brisbane Rugby League grand final loss to Brothers.

Metassa was part of the 1969 BRL premiership-winning Norths side.[7]

He later worked as a television presenter. In 2008, Metassa was named on the wing of an all-time greatest Norths Devils team.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ "The death notice/Obituary of Fonda (Golden Greek) METASSA ( - 2018) at HeavenAddress Local Obits".
  3. ^ McCoy, John (December 2010). "Brisbane Rugby League Entertainers". Men of League Magazine, Edition 42. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  4. ^ Mascord, Steve (21 July 2003). "Happy with a win, Bennett approves of the golden point". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  5. ^ Mascord, Steve (4 May 2008). "Bowen set for resurrection". The Sunday Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  6. ^ Morton, Jim (15 February 2008). "Reds start with tough win". Fox Sports. Australia. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  7. ^ Pramberg, Bernie (2 August 2008). "Barry Spring didn't do a Sonny Bill on Mayne". The Courier-Mail. Australia: Queensland Newspapers. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  8. ^ Pramberg, Bernie (17 August 2008). "Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis in Norths Devis 'greatest' team". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
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