‘One of the greatest’: Tributes flow as inaugural Maroons Origin coach dies

Tributes flow as manly legend dies a painful death…

Tributes have flowed for the inaugural Queensland State of Origin coach John McDonald after he died at the age of 79 on Wednesday.

While McDonald’s name may not necessarily be instantly recognisable to younger fans, he left an enormous legacy on the game as a player, coach and administrator.

McDonald was also a professional runner who won the Gilgandra Gift and the 880 yards at the Bendigo Gift in 1966, nearly breaking the world record for the 440 yards.

McDonald, however, made his name in rugby league.

McDonald, a winger or centre, joined Manly in 1969 and played 62 games for the club, scoring 30 tries between 1969 and 1971, according to the NRL.

He captained the team in the 1970 Grand Final, which Manly lost to South Sydney 23-12.

McDonald also played 10 pre-Origin matches for Queensland and four for NSW, as well as 13 Tests for Australia between 1966 and 1970.

He then became a coach, eventually leading Queensland from 1978 to 1980, including the first State of Origin match.

Interstate matches were played under “state of residency” rules at the time, with NSW winning the first two games of the series.

The third game was played under “state of origin” rules, and Queensland won 20-10 despite a series of brawls.

Prior to the match, Queensland had not won a match since 1975, due to the fact that the majority of their best players had been purchased by NSW clubs.

Although he didn’t continue in the role in 1981, it established the format which still thrives today.

Between 1992 and 2012, McDonald was the chairman of the Queensland Rugby League and between 1998 and 1999, he was the first Queenslander elected chairman of the Australian Rugby League. He was also part of the NRL committee in 1998 after the Super League war.

Tributes have flowed in the wake of his death with the legendary figure remembered a great of the game but an even better man.

Australian coach and Maroons legend Mal Meninga said: “His achievements both on and off the field stands him among the greats of our game and his influence on the game is enormous and he will be surely missed.

“He was my first ever rep coach and we had a lot of fun and it’s very important that whatever you do is fun, you’ve got to enjoy it.

“His advice to me, as an ex-centre, when I was only about 20 years old at the time was to go out and enjoy yourself and make sure you don’t let this day down and that’s the message that continues today.”

Origin legend Wally Lewis remembered when McDonald told him he would play lock for the Maroons in the 1980 Origin series.

“I still remember his opening words — ‘I haven’t seen you play, but the selectors wouldn’t have picked you up unless you could so don’t blow it’,” Lewis said via the ABC.

“He laughed, I laughed, and he was a very low-profile guy, he didn’t like to put pressure on the players.”

QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said McDonald had impacted every level of rugby league.

“John was quite simply a remarkable individual who touched the lives of so many people around him,” Hatcher said.

“His achievements within the game are unrivalled. Not only did he play and coach at elite level, but he dedicated many years to rugby league administration, from the grassroots to the international game.

“The QRL expresses its deepest sympathy to his family, friends and all in the rugby league community, who are deeply saddened by his passing.”

NSWRL president Bob Millward added: “He was always a true blue Queenslander shall we say, even though he played half-a-dozen games for NSW City and NSW City Firsts.

“He was a very good footballer – even better man.”

Long-serving Maroons manager and former Queensland centre Chris Close posted on Facebook, writing: “Cracker’ McDonald was a great bloke, great rugby league player and the very first Queensland State of Origin coach. He will be very sadly missed by his beautiful family and all those that knew him. RIP John [Cracker] McDonald”.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said that McDonald was “one of the greatest leaders ever to grace the game of Rugby League.”

“Few individuals have had an impact on the game of Rugby League in Australia to the magnitude of John ‘Cracker’ McDonald,” V’landys said.

“He was also one of the games absolute gentlemen and he will be remembered for many decades to come for his immense contribution to grassroots and elite Rugby League.”