David Peachey (born 21 April 1974) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and New South Wales representative , he played the majority of his club football in the National Rugby League for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. During his career, Peachey also played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the NRL and the Widnes Vikings in the National League One. Peachey also played representative rugby league for Country Origin. He is an Indigenous Australian. His nephew Tyrone Peachey debuted for the Cronulla Sharks but currently plays for the Penrith Panthers.
Background
Peachey was born in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. Peachey began playing league rugby for his local junior club in Dubbo, the [[Group 11 Rugby League|Dubbo Macquarie Raiders and South Dubbo High. After several seasons in the country with Dubbo he signed with the Cronulla Sharks.
Playing career
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Peachey's career with Cronulla-Sutherland began in the reserve squad but he quickly made his way into the first grade side after many dazzling performances in the lower grades. He made his first grade début on 12 March 1994 in Round 1 against the Canberra Raiders at Toyota Park.
Over the next few seasons Peachey quickly established himself as a first team regular in the Sharks' first grade side. His broken running and unexpected flashes of magic consistently dazzled not only home but also away crowds and he soon became a strong fan favorite within the league. Peachey played in Cronulla's 1996 preliminary final loss against Manly-Warringah at the Sydney Football Stadium in which Manly kept Cronulla scoreless winning 24–0. The following year, Peachey played in the 1997 Super League grand final for Cronulla against Brisbane which ended in a 26–8 loss.
In 1999, Peachey was presented with the Dally M award for Fullback of the Year. Cronulla finished the 1999 NRL season as minor premiers in one of the club's best ever seasons since entering the competition in 1967. Peachey played in Cronulla's preliminary final loss against St George at Stadium Australia. Peachey had scored a try in the first half to give Cronulla the lead until St George fought back in the second half to win 24–8. Peachey was selected at fullback for New South Wales in the 2000 State of Origin series. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury kept him out of the second and third games of the series, but not before he could cross for the match winning try in Game 1.
Peachey would go on to play in further preliminary final heartbreaks for Cronulla. In 2001, Peachey scored a try in the club's preliminary final loss against eventual premiers the Newcastle Knights. The following year in 2002, Peachey played in the club's preliminary final loss against the New Zealand Warriors.
In 2003, Peachey was named in the top ten Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Legends, as nominated by the fans and picked by a panel of rugby league experts.
For several months in 2005 his future seemed uncertain until he announced on The NRL Footy Show that the club would no longer be retaining his services after twelve years of loyalty.
After his last match for Cronulla, a loss to Souths, played in wet conditions at night, Peachey left the formal farewell celebrations early to meet with his fans who were waiting in the rain outside the dressing rooms. These fans included Souths fans determined to show their respect. Peachey stayed signing autographs and agreed to have his photo taken until the very last fan of either club had left.
Widnes Vikings
After hearing the Cronulla board's decision not to retain his services after the 2005 season, Peachey began to negotiate with several clubs for the start of the 2006 season. Many speculated within the media where he would eventually end up; however it quickly became certain that he would move overseas to continue his career as he announced that he did not want play against his old club anytime in the future.
Peachey was then signed as a utility back by the Super League club, the Widnes Vikings. However, after their relegation from the Super League the club claimed it would not be able to afford his services. The club and fans, still desperate to acquire the services of the Australian, organised several fundraiser events which allowed Peachey to join the club for the beginning of the new season. However, in sweeping changes made by new club chairman Stephen Vaughan, Peachey had his contract terminated by the Widnes Vikings on Thursday 11 May 2006.