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

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McDonald was additionally an expert runner and almost the world document for the a quarter mile in addition to successful the Gilgandra Gift and the half of one mile on the Bendigo Gift in 1966.

But it was in rugby league the place McDonald made his mark.

A winger or centre, McDonald joined Manly in 1969 and performed 62 video games for Manly with 30 tries between 1969 and 1971 in line with the NRL.

He captained the staff within the 1970 Grand Final — Manly misplaced 23-12 to South Sydney.

McDonald additionally performed 10 matches for Queensland and 4 for NSW within the pre-Origin period in addition to 13 Tests for Australia between 1966 and 1970.

He then moved into teaching, finally main Queensland between 1978 and 1980, which included the primary State of Origin match.

At the time, interstate matches have been performed underneath “state of residency” guidelines, with NSW successful the primary two matches of the sequence.

The third was performed underneath “state of origin” guidelines with Queensland successful the match 20-10 amid a sequence of brawls.

Before the match, as many of the finest gamers have been purchased up by NSW golf equipment, the Queensland had not gained a match since 1975.

Although he didn’t proceed within the function in 1981, it established the format which nonetheless thrives as we speak.

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

Tributes have flowed within the wake of his dying with the legendary determine remembered a terrific of the sport however an excellent higher man.

Australian coach and Maroons legend Mal Meninga mentioned: “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 informed him he would play lock for the Maroons within the 1980 Origin sequence.

“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 mentioned through 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 mentioned McDonald had impacted each stage of rugby league.

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

“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 supervisor 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 mentioned 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 mentioned.

“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.”