Craig Menkins diagnosed with brain cancer, Mackay clubs rally to support

A foundation player for the NQ Cowboys and a man who led Wests to break a 30+ year grand final drought will fight his greatest battle – but he won’t be alone.

The Queensland rugby league community is rallying to support one of its giants after a shock terminal cancer diagnosis.

Craig Menkins, a man regarded as having given so much to his beloved sport and communities, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer and is determined to fight it with everything he has.

But the stature of the man and in recognition of everything he has done for Moranbah and Mackay rugby league after his own illustrious playing career means he will not go it alone.

An online fundraiser has garnered more than $11,000 in a matter of days, with the push now to spread the word and help support Mr Menkins’ four children and partner as he goes through treatment.

Friend Brendan Carter described his mate as a “rugby league identity in town” who was a “good person to go with it”.

Craig Menkins (left) with West Tigers' signing Sam Clune, who is expected to bring high level experience to the club

“He’s had a long and distinguished playing career – he played for Newcastle in the lower grades, and western Sydney, then got contracted to the Cowboys,” Mr Carter said.

“He did spend a year or two in Mackay on the way up to the Cowboys and played for Brothers locally but also the Mackay teams that won the Foley Shield and state league.”

After it was initially thought to be encephalitis, Mr Menkins in recent weeks underwent further scans which detected a growth on his brain.

A foundation player for the NQ Cowboys in 1995, Mr Menkins also played in the Super League in 1997.

He later turned his hand to coaching, first in Moranbah for about a decade while working in the mines before moving his family to Mackay.

Craig Menkins

He put his hand up for local government, running for a seat on the Mackay Regional Council as a member of the Greg Williamson Alliance in 2020.

He took up the whistle for Wests A grade, leading the club to an impressive five grand finals, winning two.

His prowess helped the club break a 36-year drought for the silverwear.

Western Suburbs Leagues Club general manager Kingsley Theiber has known Mr Menkins for about 20 years since their time at Brothers.

“He has been instrumental in local league circles, not only as a player,” Mr Theiber said.

“He was instrumental to getting us to a win a grand final in 36 years.”

Craig Menkins pictured in 1996 as a member of the North Queensland Cowboys club.

Mr Menkins was a key figure in keeping rugby league running during Covid throughout Central and northern Queensland, capping off his work with a win over Townsville Brothers.

“He is a pure clubman,” Mr Theiber said.

“He wants to see the club move forward and the juniors develop.”

His experience at the elite level translated into his own coaching skills, Mr Theiber said.

Wests has now drawn on its considerable network to support Mr Menkins and his family to do whatever it can.

With the online fundraiser garnering impressive support, Mr Carter and Mr Theiber said more events were planned in coming months including a sportsman dinner.

The details are yet to be ironed out but one thing both man vowed was Mr Menkins would not go through his greatest battle alone.

Support the online fundraiser here.