Former NSW State of Origin coach Graham Murray has died at the age of 58.
Murray had been in the intensive care unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane after suffering a suspected heart attack.
It was the second time in less than six months Murray has been in hospital after spending a week in a coma following a heart attack in March.
The North Queensland Cowboys said on Twitter that their former coach had died and that their thoughts were with him.
“We can confirm Graham Murray has had his life support turned off,” the club tweeted.
“However Graham is still with us and our thoughts and prayers are with him.”
That illness forced Murray to step down from his role as head coach of Queensland Cup team Wynnum-Manly.
As well as his time at the Cowboys and the Sydney Roosters, Murray coached the Blues in the 2006 and 2007 Origin campaigns and had stints at the helm of the Leeds Rhinos in England, Super League outfit Hunter Mariners and the Illawarra Steelers in the NSW Rugby League.
Maroon Blood
Guest
I distinctly remember the Illawarra/St George Semi with the Steelers having four tries disallowed in that game. Dragons then went on to be the worst team I can remember to make a GF.........could be a topic for another discussion! Muzza had the only team in the comp capable of challenging the Broncs in the GF, shame they didn't get there. A very sad loss indeed.
Bluebag
Guest
I remember him as a gutsy and smart little half who went on to be an excellent coach at every club he served. He was also a lovely bloke and will be sorely missed by all league lovers.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I remember as s kid going to the then Cumberland Oval to see Parramatta play Manly -Sterlo was injured or away that day so Muzza played in his place and Parra won quite well Vale Muzza people everywhere will remember you with fondness always :-(
jamesb
Guest
"he was sacked, 12 months after coaching the Roosters to their first grand final appearance in 25 years in year 2000." I'll correct myself, the roosters made their first GF apprearance in 20 years. They made the GF in 1980.
aaron
Guest
Muz rest in peace when god made you he broke the mould what a true gentleman one of a kind
up in the north
Guest
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Vale Graham Murray.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If there was one player ,one coach, I considered a true gentleman in rugby league it was Muz.The code is much poorer for his loss and my thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time of sadness. RIP Muz.
oikee
Guest
Rest in Peace Muzza.
Charles NSW
Guest
A sad day for Rugby League!
jamesb
Guest
Coming from the Steelers side of the merger, I will always have a soft spot for Muz. He took the Steelers to their first finals series back in '92. Steelers were just one game away from making the GF, but were knocked out ironically by St.George Dragons with a scoreline 4-0. Had the Steelers beat the Dragons, IMO they had a chance against Brisbane, as the Steelers were only one of few clubs that enjoyed success against the Broncs in 92. Unfairly sacked by the Steelers during the Super League war, and was even more harshly treated by the Roosters in 2001, when he was sacked, 12 months after coaching the Roosters to their first grand final appearance in 25 years in year 2000. Took the Cowboys to their first finals in 2004 and their first GF in 2005. Muz lost two GF's, but everywhere he went he made a positive impact. A coach that deserved a premiership, without the ego. By the sounds of it, off the field, he was a champion bloke as well. Condolences to his family and friends.
Mals
Guest
RIP Graham. A true rugby league man.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Oh dear. Condolences to his family and friends.