Shane McNally always gave a 100 percent effort to the game of rugby league, whether as a player, coach or administrator.
As a player he represented Queensland and won a Brisbane first grade premiership with Easts.
As a coach, he earned praise for his efforts in the BRL and Queensland Cup, as well as England's Super League.
In administration, he worked tirelessly to further the cause of senior and junior football in Queensland.
Shane McNally has died, aged 69, while holidaying with family in Canada, his passing coming just weeks before he was due to celebrate the 40th anniversary of two his greatest moments in football.
On September 18, 1983, McNally played prop for Easts in their 14-6 win over Redcliffe in the Brisbane grand final in front of a crowd of 25,000 at Lang Park.
The senior member of an outstanding young pack, he kicked three goals and was staunch in mid-field.
Three weeks later, he was on the plane to England with the Queensland side, coached by Arthur Beetson, and captained by another future 'Immortal' Wally Lewis.
It was the first time a Queensland side had made a Northern Hemisphere tour, with the Maroons defeating Wigan and Leeds, after suffering a first-up loss to Hull Kingston Rovers.
McNally kicked 11 goals in those two victories and played in the unfamiliar position of hooker.
The tour spot was belated recognition for McNally, who had represented Queensland Country, from the Gatton club, in 1978.
Country, coached by QRL stalwart, John 'Cracker' McDonald, defeated City 19-10 at Lang Park.
McNally began his senior career with Brisbane Norths at Bishop Park, but then switched to Wests Panthers.
He was the star of Wests' win over Wynnum Manly in the 1976 reserve grade grand final at Lang Park, with Don Oxenham the coach.
Wests also won the first grade title that day, with Test winger Wayne Stewart the goal kicker.
A 'toe-poker', McNally could land goals from all over the park, and his accuracy was legendary.
In a State League match in Toowoomba in 1982, he landed seven goals from seven shots in difficult conditions, just a week after kicking eight from eight against Central Queensland.
McNally was part of the Easts' side which won the inaugural State League in 1982, under the coaching of former Test hooker John Lang.
Easts' 1983 premiership side, also coached by Lang, contributed seven players to Queensland's touring side to England - McNally, Cavill Heugh, Trevor Paterson, Gavin Jones, Larry Brigginshaw, Steve Stacey and Wayne Lindenberg.
When McNally retired as a player at the end of the 1984 season – after 107 top grade games for Easts – he took up coaching, and in 1987 was in charge of Easts first grade in the last season of the BRL's 'golden era', before the birth of the Brisbane Broncos.
He had coached Easts' reserves in 1986, with officials rewarding his "thorough and professional approach" by appointing him to the top post.
In England, McNally coached Wakefield Trinity from 2002 to 2005, taking the famous West Yorkshire club to the finals in 2004.
He coached Wynnum Manly in the Queensland Cup in 63 games from 2007 to 2009, making the finals in 2008. He also coached BRL representative sides.
McNally’s experience as a player and coach meant he always had a considerable amount to offer in his various QRL roles in development and administration.
As the manager of Rugby League Brisbane, he helped guide countless improvements to the game, not only in Brisbane but the wider South East region.
He was a major contributor to the junior and senior league amalgamation model for Rugby League Brisbane, and also played a significant role in making improvements to the RLB A grade and South East senior women’s competitions.
