Col McCartney played for Queensland against New South Wales in the 1958 interstate series in Brisbane, coming off the bench in both games at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds.
(Pictured - Col McCartney (right) in the 1958 Easts’ side. Also in the photo are Easts’ captain, Joe Baker and president Arthur Sparks).
The Easts Tigers five-eighth came into the squad following the withdrawal of centre Ron Boden for the first of the two games in Brisbane, and retained his spot for the return match. NSW won both games by narrow margins.
McCartney played in a Brisbane Grand Final for Easts in 1953 when he was just 18.
He was promoted from Under 20s to first grade to play on the wing against Souths in the major semi-final and scored the winning try to catapult Easts into the decider.
Souths defeated Valleys 35-14 in the preliminary final and a record crowd saw the Magpies win their fourth premiership since World War II, beating the Tigers 21-4 in a brutal Grand Final at the Gabba.
McCartney was on the bench at kick-off but came into the match as five-eighth when Keith Brown was injured.
It was at five-eighth where McCartney made his mark in a 10-year first grade career with the Tigers which encompassed close to 200 games, a number as captain.
He never lost his spot in the starting 13 and scored 60 tries. Col was named five-eighth in 1983 in Easts' Team of 50 Years.
McCartney played many games for Brisbane in the inter-city Bulimba Cup competition against Ipswich and Toowoomba as well as representing South Queensland in state trials.
Col and the family were involved in sailing most of their lives and his father, Fred won a 18-footers Australian championship.
Fred was a staunch Easts' man and at various times was president of the Easts Juniors and Seniors.
Col passed away on June 20, aged 91 and a celebration of his life was held at the Brisbane 16 Foot Skiff Royal Squadron at Bulimba on August 2.
