Former Queensland forward, Trevor Niebling was killed in a canoeing accident in Canada.
Niebling, 30, was believed to have struck his head when flung from the canoe while shooting rapids.
He had spent four of the previous seven years in Canada, teaching in British Columbia and spending his holidays canoeing the region’s vast stream and lake system, and living off the land.
Niebling represented Queensland 13 times after making his State debut in 1963 and played his last game in 1969 in a trip home from Canada. He played most of his football with Wynnum-Manly, his last season 1971.
Niebling’s nephew, Bryan went on to play for the Maroons in the 1980s.
Also in June 1973, former Brisbane glamour forward, Richie Twist was cleared to make a comeback to the game after initially being told to retire following a series of head knocks.
An excitement machine with Wests, Twist was teaching at Biloela when a doctor gave him the green light to return to football in a match against Moura.
And the QRL confirmed that English referee, Mick Naughton would control the two inter-state games in Brisbane in July.
Naughton, 37, was based in Widnes in Cheshire and refereed the 1973 Challenge Cup final at Wembley between Bradford and Featherstone.
Steve Ricketts 