Former Roma Wattles player Max Cherry remembered as a community icon and sporting legend

A Queensland rugby league legend has been remembered as a loveable character both on and off the field, on the eve of his funeral this weekend.

The Roma Wattles side taken at the old "Rec" grounds possibly 1950-52. Max Cherry is in the front row third from the right kneeling. Picture: Alanah Ladbrook.

Former Roma local Max Cherry has been remembered as a community sporting legend after an impressive run playing for the Wattles in his younger years.

Max grew up in Roma and began his impressive career playing in the first grade against adults at just 14 years old.

He played for local football clubs in Roma, Wallumbilla and Dalby until he was about 44.

He continued to coach and referee in the area until he moved with his family to Redcliffe, before finally settling in Toowoomba during his final years.

Max’s nephew Lyle Cherry said his uncle was a likeable man who was well-respected in the community.

“He was a pretty popular sort of bloke. His football career could’ve been pretty great,” he said.

“In those days it would’ve been a very big thing (to play first grade at 14), it was very tough football in the old days.

“Out here in those days a lot of blokes came from Sydney and everywhere and went to all the different towns to play.

Max Cherry photographed second row from the back on the far right with his Roma Wattles Rugby League team in 1961. Picture: Facebook.

“St George had Brian Davies and Charleville had blokes that played Test football.”

Lyle said as a teenager he played many games both with and against his uncle.

“I’m a lot younger than Maxie, I played with him and against him in his later years,” he said.

“He was getting past his prime when I played against him. I was only pretty young when I played first grade with him.

“He was a well-loved guy on the field. Everybody had respect for him, even the opposition players.”

Lyle said Max’s best qualities were his ability to “always have a yarn and a good joke”.

“(My favourite thing) was just his character, the way he was himself,” he said.

“He was easy-going, likeable, always happy to have a chat. I don’t think there’d be anyone who held grudges against him.”

Max Cherry has strong ties to the NRL community with his grand-nephew Daly Cherry-Evans playing as current Captain for the Manly Sea Eagles and Queensland Maroons.

Family and friends and all who knew him or played with or against him are warmly invited to attend the Farewell Service for Max to be held at the St Patrick’s Cathedral, at noon on Saturday, April 22.

Originally published as Former Roma Wattles player Max Cherry remembered as a community icon and sporting legend