Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are saddened to hear of the passing today of John McDonald, AM, aged 79.
McDonald played his junior rugby league with Valleys Toowoomba.
A professional runner, McDonald went 'close to the world professional record for 440 yards'. He won a Gilgandra Gift and also won the 880 yards at the Bendigo Gift in 1966.
After joining Manly in 1969, McDonald made his first grade debut against Wests in round one that year.
A towering winger/centre, McDonald went on to play 62 games for the Sea Eagles, scoring 30 tries. He also kicked three goals and a field goal for 98 points from 1969 to 1971.
Nick-named 'Cracker', McDonald captained Manly in the 23-12 loss to South Sydney in the 1970 NSWRL Grand Final. He was Club Captain that year.
On the representative front, McDonald represented Qld 10 times from 1965-1968 and NSW four times from 1969-70.
He played 13 Tests for Australia (1966-1970) and 15 tour matches for 28 appearances for his country.
After coaching Toowoomba from 1973-78, McDonald coached Queensland from 1978-80, including the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980.
McDonald was a long-serving president of the Toowoomba Rugby League and also held posts as QRL Chairman and ARL Chairman.
He was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame in 2016.
Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) Chairman Peter V’landys AM paid tribute to John McDonald.
“John McDonald was one of the greatest leaders ever to grace the game of Rugby League. He represented Queensland as a player and made 13 Test appearances in the green and gold before coaching the Arthur Beetson led Queensland Maroons in the inaugural State of Origin match at Lang Park in 1980,” Mr V’landys said.
“As a player he captained the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and in fact led Manly in one of the most famous grand finals of all time, the 1970 clash against the Rabbitohs in which John Sattler played with a broken jaw.
“Few individuals have had an impact on the game of Rugby League in Australia to the magnitude of John ‘Cracker’ McDonald. 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.
“The Australian Rugby League Commission and everyone at the NRL and across the game are saddened by John’s passing and we send our thoughts and deepest sympathy to his family and friends.”
Source: David Middleton, League Information Services.
