Kurt Gidley

Kurt Geoffrey Gidley (born 7 June 1982) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Warrington Wolves in the Super League. An Australia international and New South Wales State of Origin representative and captain, he previously played in the National Rugby League for the Newcastle Knights, captaining them for 123 games. He played as a fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker, although due to his versatility, he was able to slip into the positions of centre and lock when needed throughout his career.

In 2011, Gidley competed in the third season of the Channel Seven television series Australia's Greatest Athlete.

Gidley was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

He is the younger brother of Matthew Gidley, and is the youngest of three brothers. He was an apprentice butcher when he left high school. Gidley's current partner is Brooke McNamara. He was a Hunter Mariners junior.

Gidley made his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights in 2001 at 19 years of age where he played Five-eighth in a round 24 loss to St George Illawarra. However Gidley did not feature in the Knights successful finals run.

After winning the 2001 NRL Premiership, the Knights travelled to England to play the 2002 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, the Bradford Bulls. Gidley played on the wing in Newcastle's loss. Gidley had a productive 2004 season (being 18th man for the NSW Blues). In round 10 of the 2004 NRL season Gidley made history when he won the Knights' first ever golden point match by kicking the winning field goal after 3 minutes and 26 seconds of extra time. The Knights were without Andrew Johns for the season. That game was against the Broncos at Lang Park (Suncorp Stadium). Gidley missed most of the 2005 NRL season due to injury.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, Gidley travelled to Papua New Guinea to play for the Prime Minister's XIII against the Kumuls. Gidley had a productive season in 2007. He scored multiple times for the Newcastle Knights as well as having done well at converting goals. He scored 15 points against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their round 5 clash including 2 tries 3/4 goals and a field goal. He has also represented NSW in 2007 State of Origin.

He was then selected in the 2008 State of Origin series shortly after a fractured cheekbone Gidley was the stand-out player at the club in the 2008 season as they finished ninth on the NRL ladder with 12 wins and 12 losses. Gidley led the scoring at the club with 150 points and also took the try-scoring award with nine tries. Regarded as one of the best utility players in the game, Gidley was also appointed captain of the Knights for the next season, replacing England-bound hooker and club legend Danny Buderus. In August 2008, Gidley was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad. He was selected for Australia in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009.