Rugby league icon Lionel Morgan remembered as a pioneer

The son of a rugby league icon, who broke down racial barriers and created a legacy which will last forever, has paid tribute to his dad as legends of the game also pay their respects.

Lionel Morgan when he was named in the Indigenous Team Of The Century.

The son of a rugby league icon, who broke down racial barriers and created a legacy which will last forever, has paid tribute to his dad as legends of the game also pay their respects.

Lionel Morgan, who made history after becoming the first indigenous player to represent Australia in any major code in 1960, died on September 16 aged 85 after battling poor health in recent years.

The star winger was also a Wynnum Manly Seagulls legend, having played 106 games for the club between 1958 to 1966, as well as going on to play 12 games for Queensland.

In 2008, Lionel was named on the wing in the Indigenous Team of the Century.

He leaves behind three sons in David, Earl and Chris – his other son Bradley died in 2011.

Lionel Morgan.

Morgan’s impact on the Seagulls is set in stone after being the first player featured as part of Wynnum Manly’s Walk of Fame, which was established earlier this year.

The player of the match for the club’s annual Stradbroke Island indigenous game against the Souths Logan Magpies also earns the Lionel Morgan Medal.

Lionel Morgan and Steve Renouf.

Earl Morgan along with Wynnum Manly have also led the push for Morgan to be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame – something that is yet to happen.

Earl said his father left a legacy and a path that so many others can now follow.

“I guess the thing about dad is, he achieved something he wasn’t meant to achieve,” he said.

Lionel Morgan and Billy McDermott. Lionel was the first indigenous man to play rugby league for Australia.

“He sacrificed so much to get there because he just wanted to be the best he could be.

“He had a goal and he put things aside to achieve that goal, he didn’t smoke or drink, he had a strong mindset to achieve the things he did, which had never been done before.”

But Earl said he would also go down as the “loveliest” dad a son could have.

“He was always there for us and supported us in all of our endeavours, no matter what it was,” he said.

Lionel Morgan promoting Wynnum Manly’s annual indigenous game at Stradbroke Island. Photograph; Renae Droop

“He will be immensely missed not only in our family but in the rugby league and wider community.”

Current Australian Kangaroos coach and rugby league immortal Mal Meninga heaped praise on Morgan for the path he paved for future generations.

Rugby League player Lionel Morgan third right second row, in the Australian test team to play France in 1960. He scored two tries on debut in Australian 56-6 victory over the Frenchmen in Brisbane.

“Another of our Queensland Rugby League pioneers has passed,” Meninga said.

“Lionel Morgan is warmly remembered as a great example and mentor to all rugby league people.

“He understood his standing in the community and gave great personal commitment to it.”

Seagulls chief executive Wayne Weekes said it was a sad time for the club.

“Lionel has a proud history at the Seagulls and his positive impact is still being felt here, not only through honours like being the first inductee on our Walk of Fame but his family is still involved with his son Earl being on the board of the football club,” he said.

“He has always been a big part of our club and will always be.

“Lionel is also a huge part of Queensland and Australian rugby league history, which is why we’ve pushed for the NRL to include him in the hall of fame, we think everything he has done for the game makes him a worthy inductee among the game’s greats.”

Earl said his dad deserved to be in the hall of fame, something he had pushed for since 2008.

“To not be in there is a bit of a slap in the face in my opinion, you just look at what he did in the hurdles he had to overcome to get there, he deserves to have his name in the hall of fame,” he said.

A funeral date is yet to be decided.