Ron Coote given Easts jersey back by son of rival Robert Stone

It was the single gesture that finally put a smile back on the face of rugby league great Ron Coote – and it came from the son of another former great player – the late Robert Stone.

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Rugby league legend Ron Coote thought he had lost everything in the recent south coast bushfires, which destroyed his home of 38 years.

The former Australian captain shared the home in Lake Conjola with wife Robin and daughter Natalie.

“And by everything, I mean everything, including all my memorabilia from my rugby league career, I lost it all,’’ Coote told The Sunday Telegraph.

Now the former Australian captain finally has something to hold on to – thanks to the generosity of a former rival player’s family.

Ron Coote outside his Lake Conjola home that burnt down during the fires. Picture: Ch 9

From 1964 to 1978, Coote won six premierships with South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs, played 381 first-grade games and scored 132 tries.

“But, after the fires, I didn’t have an old jersey left,’’ Coote said.

Until last Friday.

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Back in 1975, Coote swapped his Eastern Suburbs jersey with the late St George forward Robert Stone after winning the grand final 38-0.

In a wonderful gesture, Robert Stone’s son Michael handed back Coote’s jersey after learning of the 75-year-old’s loss.

“I read a story recently about how Ron had lost his house and, for me, then it was a no-brainer,’’ Michael said.

South Sydney legend Ron Coote jumped ship in 1971 to join the Roosters.

“Dad’s jerseys have been passed down to me and my kids and so I know how treasured they can be.

“So with Ron losing the house for me it was a no-brainer to get it back into the right hands.

“At the time you swap a jersey and that’s it.

“But 45 years later those jerseys become pretty memorable, especially if you’ve won it like Ron did.

“I think it being in the right hands is the right thing to do.’’

Former St George rugby league players Craig Young, Ron Coote, Michael Stone and Steve Edge at St George Leagues Club: Picture: Brett Costello

Michael reached out to his father’s old friends, Dragons legends Steve Edge and Craig Young, and thanks to their help he was able to present the jersey to an emotional Coote.

“I’ll get this one framed,’’ Coote said.

“It’s very special. I really cherish my football career and this is a great reminder for me when I thought it was all gone.

“It’s been pretty hard lately, it’s nearly two months now since we lost the house.

“We’re still working with the insurance company to determine what we can spend and we’re starting from scratch,” he said.

“But we love the area and we’ll rebuild and I’ll make sure this is hanging proudly.’’

Originally published as Ron Coote given Easts jersey back by son of rival Robert Stone