Queensland’s Rugby League community gathered to honour the state’s first State of Origin coach, John ‘Cracker’ McDonald, during the Maroons Fan Day in Toowoomba.
More than 5,000 fans joined the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Maroons team, officials, and the McDonald family for a minute of silence and a heartfelt tribute at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
McDonald, who passed away last year, rose to prominence in the 1960s, playing for Valleys Toowoomba and Manly Warringah. He captained Manly in its 1970 grand final loss to South Sydney in the New South Wales competition.
A distinguished career saw him represent Australia in 13 Tests between 1966 and 1970, before becoming Queensland’s inaugural State of Origin coach in 1980.
Beyond coaching, McDonald served as QRL chairman for 20 years, from 1992 to 2012, and held the position of Australian Rugby League (ARL) chairman. Above all, he was remembered as a devoted family man.
His son, Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald said it was a beautiful tribute by the Queensland Rugby League and meant so much to their family.
“This is our first Origin series without Cracker, but he’s surely with us in spirit,” Jim McDonald said.
“For the Queensland Rugby League and the Maroons team to honour Dad today was very special and meant so much to our family.”