{{short description|Australian rugby league footballer (born 1987)}} {{For|the Canadian artistic gymnast|Cory Paterson (gymnast)}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Cory Paterson |fullname = |image = CoryPaterson2009.jpg |image_size = |position = {{rlp|SR}} |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|7|14}} |birth_place = Perth, WA, Australia |height = {{convert|195|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=" Superleague">{{cite web|url= http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/11364|title= Cory Paterson Salford Red Devils|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2015|website= www.superleague.co.uk|publisher= Rugby Football League|access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> |weight = {{convert|108|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}<ref name=" Superleague"/> |club1 = Newcastle Knights |year1start = 2007 |year1end = 11 |appearances1 = 77 |tries1 = 21 |goals1 = 12 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 108 |club2 = North Qld Cowboys |year2start = 2011 |year2end = 12 |appearances2 = 10 |tries2 = 4 |goals2 = 0 |fieldgoals2 = 0 |points2 = 16 |club3 = {{nowrap|Hull Kingston Rovers}} |year3start = 2013 |appearances3 = 17 |tries3 = 7 |goals3 = 0 |fieldgoals3 = 0 |points3 = 28 |club4 = Wests Tigers |year4start = 2014 |year4end = |appearances4 = 9 |tries4 = 1 |goals4 = 2 |fieldgoals4 = 0 |points4 = 8 |club5 = Salford Red Devils |year5start = 2015 |year5end = |appearances5 = 21 |tries5 = 10 |goals5 = 9 |fieldgoals5 = 0 |points5 = 58 |club6 = Leigh Centurions |year6start = 2016 |year6end = 17 |appearances6 = 41 |tries6 = 22 |goals6 = 0 |fieldgoals6 = 0 |points6 = 88 |club7 = Toronto Wolfpack |year7start = 2018 |year7end = |appearances7 = 18 |tries7 = 11 |goals7 = 0 |fieldgoals7 = 0 |points7 = 44 |club8 = Leigh Centurions |year8start = 2019 |year8end = |appearances8 = 10 |tries8 = 4 |goals8 = 1 |fieldgoals8 = 0 |points8 = 18 |teamA = Indigenous All Stars |yearAstart = 2010 |yearAend = 12 |appearancesA = 3 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |retired = yes |source = <ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.com/players/cory_paterson.html Rugby League Project]</ref><ref>[http://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Cory-Paterson/ Love Rugby League]</ref> |updated = 17 November 2018 }}
'''Cory Paterson''' (born 14 July 1987) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a {{rlp|sr}} forward.
He previously played for the Newcastle Knights, North Queensland Cowboys and the Wests Tigers in the NRL and Hull Kingston Rovers, Leigh Centurions and the Salford Red Devils in the Super League. He played for the Toronto Wolfpack and Leigh in the Championship. He is also a professional boxer.
==Background== Paterson was born in Perth, Western Australia.
==Career== After playing junior rugby league in his home town of Perth, Western Australia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=player-profile-display&id=4964&player=cory-paterson&team=Cowboys|title=Player profile: Cory Paterson|work=cowboys.com.au|publisher=North Queensland Cowboys|accessdate=22 October 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128125701/http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=player-profile-display&id=4964&player=cory-paterson&team=Cowboys|archivedate=28 November 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> with South Perth Lions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/how-a-brave-dad-and-dead-uncle-spur-this-young-knight-to-chasedreams-of-glory/2007/07/07/1183351530949.html|title=How a Brave Dad and dead uncle spurs this young knight to chase dreams of glory|author=Proszenko, Adrian|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=8 July 2007|accessdate=15 March 2015}}</ref> Paterson then attended St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton and in 2005 represented Australia at schoolboy level.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://secure.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/98638/Australian_Rugby_League_2005.pdf|title=Australian Rugby League: Annual Report 2005|publisher=Australian Rugby League|page=27|accessdate=22 October 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705170103/https://secure.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/98638/Australian_Rugby_League_2005.pdf|archivedate=5 July 2009}}</ref>
===Newcastle=== In 2007, Cory Paterson was promoted to train with the Newcastle Knights first team squad.<ref name="Paterson re-signs with Knights">{{cite web|url=http://www.rleague.com//db/player/p/paterson_cory/index.php|title=Paterson re-signs with Knights|publisher=RLeague.com|date=2007-06-15|accessdate=2007-06-22|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618105021/http://www.rleague.com//db/player/h/houston_chris/index.php|archivedate=18 June 2012}}</ref> He made his début in round 2 of that year in a win against the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
At the end of the 2008 season, Paterson was selected in the Prime Minister's XIII to play the Papua New Guinea national team in Port Moresby.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=31463|title=Hindmarsh to lead PM's XIII|last=O'Neill|first=Matthew|date=16 September 2008|work=rleague.com|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref> He then toured the United States to visit a number of NFL clubs and trial for the Oakland Raiders as a punter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/cory-strikes-while-gridiron-hot-20110521-1exr9.html|title=Cory strikes while gridiron hot|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=21 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/cory-kicks-up-a-storm-in-us/story-e6frep8f-1111117919495|title=Cory kicks up a storm in US|last=Hooper|first=James|date=1 November 2008|work=The Sunday Telegraph|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref> Paterson suffered depression during the 2009 season, causing him to miss some NRL matches, but returned to good form on the field in 2010 season, when he was selected for the Indigenous All Stars squad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-fullback-billy-slater-allegedly-taunts-newcastle-forward-cory-paterson-over-depression/story-e6frfgbo-1225843490978|title=Melbourne fullback Billy Slater allegedly taunts Newcastle forward Cory Paterson over depression|last=Ritchie|first=Dean|date=22 March 2010|work=Herald Sun|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/453130/paterson-accepts-apology-from-storm-fullback-after-sledging-incident/|title=Paterson accepts apology from Storm fullback after sledging incident|last=Keeble|first=Brett|date=22 March 2010|work=Newcastle Herald|access-date=22 October 2011}}</ref> In 2011, Paterson represented the Indigenous All Stars again, but midway through the season he was released from his contract by the Knights, a decision made by the club's incoming coach Wayne Bennett.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/wayne-bennetts-snubbing-of-cory-paterson-has-only-made-him-stronger/story-e6frfgbo-1226100368244|title=Wayne Bennett's snubbing of Cory Paterson has only made him stronger|last=Badel|first=Peter|date=24 July 2011|work=Herald Sun|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref>
===North Queensland=== After being released by Newcastle, Paterson almost immediately signed for the North Queensland Cowboys, on a contract to play for the remainder of the 2011 NRL season and two additional seasons. Paterson was told by the Knights that he was not part of their long-term plans and was free to look elsewhere for 2011 and beyond.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/06/02/paterson-to-join-cowboys-immediately/|title=Paterson to join Cowboys immediately|last=Ryan|first=Nathan|date=3 June 2011|work=sportsnewsfirst.com.au|accessdate=22 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420230504/http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/06/02/paterson-to-join-cowboys-immediately/|archive-date=20 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Paterson converted to Islam during the 2011 season, requiring him to fast during daylight hours in the month of August, co-inciding with the Cowboys run-in to the NRL finals series. Paterson is close to former professional rugby league players Anthony Mundine and Sonny Bill Williams, who both converted to Islam.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/north-queensland-cowboys-nrl-star-cory-paterson-converts-to-islam/story-e6frexnr-1226106289628|title=North Queensland Cowboys NRL star Cory Paterson converts to Islam|last=Massoud|first=Josh|date=2 August 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref> He sought advice on fasting as a professional rugby league player from Hazem El-Masri, a devout Muslim who played over 300 first-grade matches for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/muslim-convert-cory-paterson-approached-hazem-el-masri-for-advice-on-islam-during-all-star-camp/story-e6frexnr-1226107013910|title=Muslim convert Cory Paterson approached Hazem El Masri for advice on Islam during All Star camp|last=Massoud|first=Josh|date=3 August 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref>
Paterson played 7 games for North Queensland in his first (half) season with the club, he was a member of their qualifying finals series team and scored 4 tries, including a double against the Wests Tigers.
Paterson started the 2012 season of playing representative football for the Indigenous All Stars against the NRL All Stars team, he then played in only 2 NRL matches for the North Queensland Cowboys after half the season had finished (starting in both, scoring one try) due to injuries and indifferent form.
===Hull Kingston Rovers=== On 27 June 2012, he signed a two-year deal with Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/18599690|title=Hull KR sign North Queensland Cowboys forward Cory Paterson|date=27 June 2012|work=BBC|access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref>
Paterson coached the Hawaiian All-stars rugby league representative team in their match against Queensland Indigenous at Oahu, Hawaii on 27 October 2012.<ref>[http://www.amnrl.com/news/nrl-star-coach-hawaii] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006233628/http://www.amnrl.com/news/nrl-star-coach-hawaii|date=6 October 2012}}</ref> The match occurred during the 2012 Haida Gwaii earthquake, while tsunami alerts were issued for the islands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/tsunami-warning-cant-stop-rugby-league/tabid/10874/newsid/70309/default.aspx|title=Tsunami warning can't stop rugby league|work=NRL - The official site of the National Rugby League - NRL.com|date=29 October 2012 }}</ref>
While at Hull KR, Paterson formed a successful combination with Michael Dobson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Paul-Cooke-Hull-KR-players-step-gap-left-Cory/story-19512076-detail/story.html#axzz2aJnrv98p|title=Hull Daily News Online & Hull Events - Hull Daily Mail|work=Hull Daily Mail|access-date=31 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723041437/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Paul-Cooke-Hull-KR-players-step-gap-left-Cory/story-19512076-detail/story.html#axzz2aJnrv98p|archive-date=23 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cory-paterson-reveals-escape-clause-in-super-league-contract/story-e6frexnr-1226623063098|title=Cory Paterson Reveals Escape Clause in Rugby League Contract|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|accessdate=2015-11-30}}</ref> However, it has been reported he has sought an early release from the club to be with his family in Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/23044993|title=Hull Kingston Rovers: Cory Paterson wants early release|work=BBC Sport|date=25 June 2013 }}</ref>
===West Tigers=== It was announced in August 2013 that Paterson would join NRL club Wests Tigers on a one-year deal starting in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12217/8858508/hull-kr-forward-cory-paterson-secures-move-to-nrl-side-wests-tigers|title=Hull KR forward Cory Paterson secures move to NRL side Wests Tigers|work=Sky Sports}}</ref> At the end of the 2014 NRL season and after a total of 96 NRL appearances,<ref>{{cite news|author1=Ben Glover|title=Anthony Minichiello, Brent Tate, Braith Anasta lead full list of retiring 2014 NRL players|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/anthony-minichiello-brent-tate-braith-anasta-lead-full-list-of-retiring-2014-nrl-players/story-fn2mcuj6-1227055405340|accessdate=12 September 2014|work=FOX SPORTS|date=11 September 2014}}</ref> Paterson announced his rugby league retirement to pursue his dream of a professional heavyweight boxing career.<ref>{{cite news|author1=NICK WALSHAW|title=Cory Paterson walks away from big money in rugby league to become a professional heavyweight boxer|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cory-paterson-walks-away-from-big-money-in-rugby-league-to-become-a-professional-heavyweight-boxer/story-fnp0lyn3-1227041672758|accessdate=12 September 2014|work=THE DAILY TELEGRAPH|date=30 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Erin Molan|authorlink1=Erin Molan|title=Honouring 2014's retiring heroes|url=http://www.nrl.com/honouring-2014s-retiring-heroes/tabid/10874/newsid/81567/default.aspx|website=NRL.com|accessdate=12 September 2014|date=4 September 2014}}</ref>
===Salford Red Devils=== At the end of 2014, Paterson ended his brief rugby league retirement and agreed to a one-year deal to play for the Super League club Salford for the 2015 season. It saw him reunite with former teammate Michael Dobson.<ref>{{cite news|title=Salford Red Devils: Cory Paterson open to boxing return|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/30225731|accessdate=4 December 2014|work=BBC|date=27 November 2014}}</ref> The deal includes the option of a second season at Salford.<ref>{{cite news|title=Super League Salford sign Corey Paterson|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/11/25/super-league-salford-sign-corey-paterson|accessdate=4 December 2014|work=AAP|date=25 November 2014}}</ref>
===Leigh Centurions=== In September 2015, it was announced that Paterson would join Leigh Centurions for the 2016 RFL Championship.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Stephen Topping|title=Leigh Centurions sign Salford Red Devils' Cory Paterson, Reni Maitua|url=http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/rugby-league/leigh-centurions/transfer-talk/news/leigh-centurions-sign-paterson-maitua_249046.html#$$o1w95g&&Xs8zjMlDEeWJFhLQBt+LhQ$$|accessdate=2 February 2016|work=Sports Mole|date=28 September 2015}}</ref> In January 2016, he was made one of two vice-captains for the Centurions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leigh Centurions name Micky Higham as new captain|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/10119501/leigh-centurions-name-micky-higham-as-new-captain|accessdate=2 February 2016|work=PA Sport|publisher=Sky|date=14 January 2016}}</ref>
===Toronto Wolfpack=== In December 2017 Paterson joined the Toronto Wolfpack on a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.torontowolfpack.com/2017/12/14/wolfpack-sign-cory-paterson/|title=Wolfpack sign Cory Paterson|publisher=Toronto Wolfpack|date=14 December 2017|accessdate=24 January 2018}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==Boxing== On 5 October 2012, Paterson made a successful boxing début against Anton Tuilotolava. On 12 November 2014, he won his second fight, on the undercard of the Mundine-Rabchenko fight, against Michael Lua Tama by 1st-round TKO. It was his first fight since retiring from rugby league to begin a career in boxing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cory Paterson beats Michael Lua Tama in second boxing bout since leaving NRL|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-12/former-nrl-player-cory-paterson-wins-boxing-bout/5887150|accessdate=13 November 2014|work=AAP|agency=ABC|date=12 November 2014}}</ref>
===Record=== {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:95%;" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="8"|'''2 wins''' (2 knockouts, 0 decision), '''0 loss''', '''0 draws''' |- ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Type ! Round ! Date ! Location |- align=center |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|Michael Tamalemai |TKO | 1 (4) |{{small|2014-11-12}} |align=left|Hisense Arena, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |- align=center |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|Anton Tuilotolava |KO | 2 (4) |{{small|2012-10-05}} |align=left|Newcastle Panthers Club, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |}
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== *[https://www.torontowolfpack.com/player/cory-paterson/ Toronto Wolfpack profile] *[https://leighrl.co.uk/wp/team_member/paterson-cory/ Leigh Centurions profile] *[http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=628804&cat=boxer Cory Paterson boxing record], BoxRec
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paterson, Cory}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Australian male boxers Category:Australian Muslims Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Canada Category:Converts to Islam Category:Heavyweight boxers Category:Hull Kingston Rovers players Category:Indigenous All Stars players Category:Indigenous Australian boxers Category:Lakes United Seagulls players Category:Leigh Leopards players Category:Newcastle Knights players Category:North Queensland Cowboys players Category:Prime Minister's XIII players Category:Rugby league centres Category:Rugby league players from Perth, Western Australia Category:Rugby league second-rows Category:Salford RLFC players Category:Toronto Wolfpack players Category:Western Suburbs Rosellas players Category:Wests Tigers NSW Cup players Category:Wests Tigers players Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England Category:Sportsmen from Western Australia Category:Expatriate rugby league players in Canada Category:Northern Pride RLFC players Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen