Indigenous rugby league player Lionel Morgan has died, aged 85.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and an image of an Indigenous person who has died.
Morgan was the first Indigenous player to represent Australia in rugby league and scored two tries on debut against France in 1960 before playing two more Tests against the nation.
He was also the first Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in any major code.
The winger, who died on Saturday night in Brisbane, played 12 interstate matches for Queensland against NSW between 1960 and 1963, scoring 11 tries.
A player and coach with Wynnum-Manly in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, Morgan was named in the Australian Indigenous rugby league team of the century in 2008.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said Morgan stood “proudly alongside the likes of Arthur Beetson, Johnathan Thurston and Steve Renouf”.
“Lionel Morgan was a trailblazer,” he said.
“The Australian Rugby League Commission and everyone across the game will be very saddened by Lionel’s passing, but his legacy will remain forever.
“He was and always will be an inspiration to many of our players.”
A minute’s silence was observed before Sunday’s Queensland Cup grand final for Morgan, and for the Maroons’ first State of Origin coach John McDonald, who died last Wednesday.
Morgan had been diagnosed with dementia, according to a May interview with son Earl Morgan.
Born in the New South Wales’ border town of Tweed Heads, Morgan played his entire career in Queensland and was named the state’s best back after the 1962 season.
Battling racism both on and off the field, Morgan wore the green and gold five years before Indigenous people were even allowed to vote in Queensland.
“Dad wasn’t allowed to get a passport to go to England so it had to be arranged for him,” son Earl said.
“Indigenous men and women and were still classified as flora and fauna in those days and here we are 63 years later talking about a voice to parliament and truth treaty.
“Dad’s message to young Indigenous kids was clear — no one will give you anything but if you give hard work then someone will take you on board and give you an opportunity and that’s what he did.
ABC/ AAP