Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Max Krilich is a Narrabeen local and a one-club rugby league legend, playing his whole career at Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Max was recently awarded the Order of Australia medal for services to rugby league at the Queen's Birthday 2018 honours list.

Max joined the Sea Eagles at the age of 19, following his schooling and amateur career. Moving on to the firsts team, Max played as hooker before gaining the Manly captaincy in 1976. Success came in 1978, with Manly playing six matches in 24 days to make it through to the grand final, where they defeated Cronulla.

Mike Kelly (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Cronulla! Yes, they did!

Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There goes my ministerial career! Max played 215 first-grade games, scoring 31 tries before retiring in 1983. Alongside his Manly accolades, Max also represented Australia. He played the first two tests in the 1978 New Zealand tour and captained Australia to victory against New Zealand later, in 1982.

Following his playing career, Max moved into coaching, becoming the coach of Manly's under-23 side from 1984 to 1988. From 1989 to 1991 he coached Manly's reserve-grade side, before retiring from the professional game.

Max thoroughly deserves all the recognition, and his success as a rugby league player, coach and mentor make him a worthy recipient of the Order of Australia medal.