Mick Plant tribute: Tears flow for stalwart of rugby league

The Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay sporting community is mourning founding Noosa Pirates member, premiership winning captain-coach and beloved grandfather Mick Plant.

The Sunshine Coast sporting community has paid an emotional farewell to Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast rugby league team of the century member Mick Plant following his battle with kidney disease.

Mr Plant, who died on September 16, 2022, aged 75, was a founding member of the Noosa Pirates rugby league club in 1975 before leading the team as captain-coach to their first ever premiership in 1977.

His daughter Julie McLaws said he was happiest when surrounded by family.

“Dad grew up in Sydney’s eastern suburbs before moving to Eumundi in 1970 and purchased his home for $3000,” she said.

“He worked on the local railway and as a bouncer for pubs in Noosa and Cooroy.

“He had three kids, Renae, Aden and Julie and seven grandkids.”

Noosa Pirates founding member Mick Plant pictured with his family.

Plant played junior footy for the South Sydney Fernleighs and Paddington Colts football club before going on to play with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters from 1967 to 1970.

When living in Queensland he joined the Nambour Souths from 1971 to 1974 and made the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Queensland Country teams before he was inducted into both the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay teams of the century in 2008.

In 1975, Mr Plant helped found the Noosa Pirates and lead them to two grand finals as captain-coach, achieving success in 1977 before announcing his retirement alongside his good mate Kerry Knowles.

Old newspaper articles involving Mick Plant. Pictures: Contributed.

Mrs McLaws said in his spare time he loved training and racing greyhounds, drinking diet coke, doing crossword scratchies, but most of all he loved his family and time with friends.

“Dad was known as a larrikin and an all around top bloke,” she said.

“He was the life of the party and loved to tell the old stories.

“He loved his family and would do anything for them.

“He was the best dad, hard, firm but a big softie.”

A celebration for Mr Plant’s life would be held at the Noosa Pirates clubhouse in Tewantin on Tuesday, December 27.