John McDonald was a rugby league player, coach, and executive from Australia. He was a professional rugby league footballer from Australia who went by the name Cracker. He was born on April 24, 1944, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
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He played club football in Toowoomba, making ten appearances for Queensland, and was chosen for the Australian test squad. In 1969, McDonald relocated to the south and joined the Manly-Warringah team to compete in the New South Wales Rugby Football League’s premiership. He traveled New Zealand as the Australian vice-captain after representing his chosen country.
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In the club’s 1970 NSWRFL season grand final loss to Souths, he later led Manly from the flank as captain. After three seasons with the Sea Eagles, McDonald headed back to Queensland to captain-coach Toowoomba. He was later chosen as the club’s president upon his retirement.
John McDonald (rugby) children: Meet his 6 children
McDonald was a caring father who brought up six kids with his wife Joan. Geoff McDonald, his son, is currently the mayor of the Toowoomba region. On September 13, 2023, McDonald passed away at the age of 79.
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