Johnny Bliss

John Charles "Johnny" Bliss (30 August 1922 – 9 September 1974) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played for Balmain, North Sydney and Manly-Warringah in the NSWRL between 1942 and 1951.

Born in Queensland but raised on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Bliss, nicknamed Blistering for his outstanding speed, was a scrawny Manly district junior who started out as a Hooker with the North Narabeen Surf Club.

In 1947 he moved to Manly and played on the wing in their first ever premiership match against Western Suburbs at Brookvale Oval, scoring a try in the teams hard fought 13–15 loss to Wests.

[3] Also in 1951, Bliss was selected on the wing for Australia for the first test against the Puig Aubert led France at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

After his retirement, Bliss was the speed guru to several Manly players, including Bob Fulton, Graham Eadie, Russell Gartner and fellow beach sprint champion Nick Yakich.

Bliss was also a success in the world of men's toiletries and women's perfumery, working for two of the biggest names in the business, Faberge and Christian Dior.