While his younger brothers Rex and Tony were stars with the ball, his greater contributions were as a batsman.

Starting his career in 1945-46 with the Numbaa-Pyree second grade team, Greg scored 158 runs at 19.75, including one knock of 87 against Royal Navy.

Moving into the A reserve side the following season, the right-hander acquitted himself well by scoring 284 runs at 21.85, and his bowling produced figures of 4/15 against Tomerong.

Notably against Cambewarra, he made 28 in a 100-run fourth wicket partnership with Ted Regan.

This pair would eventually become the club's opening pair and developed a great understanding as they picked up easy runs through astute running between the wickets.

Numbaa-Pyree made it to the grand final, only to be beaten by Nowra.

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During that summer Greg made his representative debut with the Colts, taking 3/27 in the final against Canberra.

In 1948-49 he scored his maiden half-century in first grade, but shone with the ball by winning the club averages with 17 victims at 15.47.

His ability was recognised by the association selectors when he was named captain of the Colts.

He continued to be a steady performer in 1950-51 when he had a double of 36 and 3/39, and opened the batting in the grand final loss to Berry.

Numbaa-Pyree broke through for a premiership in 1951-52, and Greg provided sound starts in each innings with knocks of 24 and 27, while he took the last wicket that clinched the huge victory over Bomaderry.

With a top score of 41 against Currambene, he finished the summer with 287 runs at 20.50.

By this time he was a club selector, and he filled this position for several years.

There was a third successive grand final in 1952-53 when Greg had the dual role of opener and wicketkeeper, but Pyree lowered its colours to Berry.

His stature as an opener grew in 1953-54 when he carried his bat through an innings against Cambewarra with 36 out of 84, and his top score of 65 came against both Nowra and Cambewarra.

His best bowling match came against Bomaderry with 5/32 and 2/5 against Bomaderry in 1954-55, but Pyree's season ended in the semi-final.

Greg had a top score of 47 against Berry in 1955-56, and scored handy runs at the top of the order in the grand final, but Bomaderry proved too strong.

He enjoyed the 1956-57 season with brothers Rex and Tony in the team, and produced his best first grade scores of 78 against Nowra Warriors and 72 against Kangaroo Valley.

He continued to bat well by top-scoring in several matches during 1957-58, but retired when Pyree dropped out of the top division.

Throughout his career Greg was in the frame with the association selectors, enjoying four seasons in Colts, three of them as captain.

He also had at least six years in the senior team, and in 1952-53 represented both the Illawarra Cricket Council and Southern Districts.

Playing in the latter game against Illawarra, he made 33 after sharing an opening stand of 54 with Pyree team-mate, Ted Regan.

Of course, he was also heavily involved in the Pyree Rovers Rugby League Club.

Greg's first taste of senior football was in 1945, when home on school holidays from Holy Cross College in Ryde where he was attending high school.

The Watts family name is synonymous with the club, his father Horace was one of the founding members when the club was resurrected in 1920.

Quite often he was joined in the Rovers' colours with younger brothers Rex and Murray, who played front row and hooker respectively.

Talking about Robyn Florance's new book Pyree Rovers The Story of a Football Club, Greg recalled playing against Nowra, Berry, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Albion Park, Kiama and Milton.

"Back then to travel to Milton or Albion Park was a feat in its own - it wasn't just a quick 45 minute trip on the highway like it is now," he said.

Among one of his footballing highlights was playing for the Southern Districts team against the touring American All Stars at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, May 27, 1953.

The Southern team raced out to a 20-8 lead at half-time before eventually going down to the Yanks 34-25.

He featured in a stunning photo from the game tackling his opposite number Ed Demirjiam.

Greg's playing career ended in 1955, not long after he was married, and he had the distinction of playing at the time the highly coveted Country Week competitions in both cricket and rugby league.

As well as his strong sporting prowess, he was also well-known and highly respected in dairy farming circles across the state, serving on a number of boards..

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Joan, children Mary, Paddy and Bernadette and their families.

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