John McDonald AM
“Cracker” a man for all rugby league occasions
Born Toowoomba 1944
Queensland Sports Hall of Fame 2016
TOOWOOMBA-born JOHN “CRACKER” McDONALD was fittingly described as a “man for for all occasions” during a contribution to Australian rugby league spanning six decades as a player, coach and administrator.
McDonald, who inherited his father’s nickname, was a dynamic centre three-quarter and winger. He was renowned for his blistering pace, and emerged from Toowoomba’s Valleys Rugby League Club to play 13 Test matches for Australia.
Following his retirement as a player - which included a three-year stint with Manly-Warringah in the NSWRL competition - McDonald went on to coach the Toowoomba, Queensland Country and Queensland during the 1970s.
His most famous coaching moment arrived in 1980 when he was in charge of the first Queensland State of Origin team. The Maroons created history with a 20-10 victory over New South Wales at Lang Park.
After coaching McDonald graduated to administration, becoming Chairman of the Toowoomba RL and SW Queensland RL.
McDonald was later an influential chairman of the Queensland Rugby League for 20 years from 1992. He also became chairman of the Australian RL and International RL.
In 1998, McDonald was named Queensland Sports Administrator of the Year after playing a critical role in negotiating the end of the Super League war that had torn the game apart.
McDonald other sporting and athletics achievements includes his 440-yards world record set during his professional running career.
More John McDonald career highlights:-
John McDonald was educated at Toowoomba’s East State School and Toowoomba Grammar School.
He went on to gain Australian Test selection from the Downs in 1966 before moving to Sydney to play for Manly from 1969 to 1971.
There McDonald captained Manly in a grand final and represented his adopted State NSW four times.
McDonald was a member of the 1967-68 Kangaroos that toured Great Britain and France, and was vice-captain of the national team in New Zealand.
McDonald played a total of 13 Tests for Australia.
In 2008, McDonald was named in the Toowoomba & South West Team of the Century in the centres with Tom Gorman.
McDonald’s 440-yard world record remains to this day. All records went to metric distances shortly after his record run.
John McDonald was inducted into the Queensland Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.