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Adam Woolnough
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Adam Woolnough (born 24 May 1982) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. Woolnough played as a prop for nine seasons at the Melbourne Storm, Penrith Panthers and the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
Key Information
Background
[edit]Woolnough was born in Taree, New South Wales, Australia. He was educated at Taree High School and was 1999 Australian Schoolboys representative.
Playing career
[edit]Woolnough made his debut in 2002 for his junior club Newcastle Knights. This game was against New Zealand Warriors on 17 May coincidentally his mother's birth date. After six seasons (including one as captain) and 117 games, Woolnough made the decision to leave and head to the Penrith Panthers on a 3-year deal.
After two injury and form ravaged seasons, the 2009 NRL season was supposed to be his last. Woolnough announced his retirement on 19 August 2009, effective of his final 2009 NRL game, which was against his old club Newcastle Knights in Round 26, 2009. However, after a year out travelling with his partner, Woolnough returned to the NRL in 2011. This was made possible by a chance meeting with former teammate, Clint Newton in the UK. Newton was playing for Hull Kingston Rovers, when the conversation turned to the Melbourne Storm. From this conversation, Woolnough spoke with Melbourne head coach Craig Bellamy, about the possibility of joining Melbourne for the 2011 NRL season. Woolnough later signed in July 2010 at a Paris hotel, but was encouraged to complete his trip before reporting to training in October 2010.[3][4]
Post NRL career
[edit]Upon retirement, Woolnough worked in the underground coal mines near Newcastle, and played some local rugby league with Lakes United, he has worked in high performance programs in the Australian Institute of Sport and Queensland Academy of Sport. He has also served as General Manager for Ice Hockey Australia and is currently appointed coach of the United States national rugby league team.[5][6][7]
Career highlights
[edit]- First Grade Debut: 2002 - Round 10, Newcastle vs New Zealand Warriors at EnergyAustralia Stadium, 17 May[8]
- 155 NRL games over 9 seasons with Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Melbourne Storm.
- Member of Prime Minister's XIII team to tour PNG in 2006.
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ League Central
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "Penrith Panthers prop to retire". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
- ^ Gould, Russell (23 August 2010). "Adam Woolnough signs with Melbourne Storm". heraldsun.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
Citing a need to "do other things" Woolnough, then 27, set off with his wife Bec, backpacking through South America, South Africa and Britain. It was in England that Woolnough ran into Newton, and when talk turned to football - and Storm's need for front-rowers - the wheels were set in motion for the veteran to join Melbourne. "Clint Newton talked him into it. He was the driving force," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said. "Adam then rang (Storm coach Craig Bellamy) and asked him if he would be interested and he said, 'Absolutely'. Now he's ended up on our doorstep. "He still had a year to go on his contract at Penrith, but he needed a year off and rediscovered his hunger. "Newto gave (Storm) a massive wrap and I've never heard a bloke so enthusiastic to get here. Adam wrote me an email, which was impressive. "He's seen what has happened here to other players. He's come with no guarantees, but the right attitude. "I think he has looked after himself conditioning wise, but he needs a big pre-season. He's going to be behind the eight-ball. "But if his attitude is anything to go by, he'll be good for us."
- ^ Paxinos, Stathi (17 September 2011). "Parting will be sweet sorrow for Woolnough". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "Ice Hockey Australia Organisational Update". Ice Hockey Australia. 13 November 2025.
- ^ "Woolnough appointed USA Hawks coach ahead of Vegas test". NRL.com. 9 December 2025.
- ^ "Adam Woolnough". NRL Stats. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2008.