Brian Battese
Brian Battese is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row forward in the 1980s. He played in the Brisbane Rugby League and New [South Wales Rugby League] premierships.
Playing career
A South Lismore junior, Battese played with Wynnum-Manly Seagulls in the Brisbane Rugby League Premiership. He played in Wynnum-Manly's 1982 Grand Final victory over Souths before moving to Sydney club, Western Suburbs Magpies, in 1983. After one season with the club, he moved to Bulldogs [Rugby League Football Club|Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs] for two seasons under coach Warren Ryan. Although Battese started the 1984 season in reserve-grade, in April he replaced the injured Phil Gould and retained the position for the remainder of the year and played in the New South [Wales Rugby League season 1984#Grand Final|premiership winning team] against Parramatta. In New South Wales [Rugby League season 1985#Grand Final|1985], Battese was a member of the victorious Canterbury team that defeated St. George in the grand final.Battese spent the 1985-1986 off-season with Salford City in England before returning to Australia to join Eastern Suburbs. After a move to the A.C.T. in 1988, Battese played only two matches for the Canberra Raiders before retiring.