Graham Herlihy (centre) as coach of Easts Tigers in 1999. The players are (from left) Dion Cope, Jeff Doyle, Brett McPherson, Phil Mooney
Tributes have been flowing from people in both rugby codes following the unexpected passing of Graham Herlihy, a former Brisbane league player and coach who later took his expertise to the rival union game.
Herlihy holds a special place in league history as coach of the now defunct South Queensland Crushers’ only premiership winning side during their three years in the ARL.
A former first grade league player with Past Brothers in Brisbane and Wests in Mackay, Herlihy turned to coaching on retirement, and joined the Crushers’ staff in 1994 from Nerang Roosters, first as a trainer then as Coaching and Development Manager and coach of the club’s Colts side in the Brisbane competition.
In 1996 he tasted grand final success as coach of the Crushers under-21 side which defeated minor premiers Parramatta 24-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium in a curtain raiser to the First Grade clash between Manly-Warringah and St George. Winger Scott Lawson, a son of famed radio broadcaster, Ross Lawson, scored two tries for the Crushers. One of the centres in the Crushers’ outfit was Brook Eadie, a son of former Test fullback, Graham Eadie.
Crushers’ Skipper Nathan Antonik led by example on his 21st birthday and was given strong support by co-forwards Paul Woodward, Phil Mooney and Mark Burton.
Herlihy said at the time the Crushers had the necessary structure and junior development to be a success, but the financial problems which arose from the Super League war threatened the club’s existence.
He said he was confident of victory going into the Grand Final particularly when it became apparent the match would be played in humid conditions following overnight rain.
“I knew Parramatta would tire badly,” he said. “We planned to play tight but in that second half we kept turning over too much ball. In the last six games the boys have shown a lot of heart. They have put a lot of work into their defence and it has paid dividends.”
Because finances were tough at the Crushers the under-21s decided to return to Brisbane by bus, turning the three-day trip into a bonding experience as well as their end-of-season trip. They stopped at country centres such as Taree, Wingham and Nambucca, towns where some of the players came through as juniors.
Following the demise of the Crushers Herlihy joined Easts’ Tigers and took the club to the Queensland Cup finals in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
A role as a defence coach in Japan beckoned in 2002 and he spent four years there at the start of his journey in rugby union. From there he took on coaching jobs at Easts, Sunnybank, Gold Coast Breakers, East Coast Aces and Griffith University Knights, as well as coaching First XVs at Downlands and the Southport School. Under Graham’s defensive framework TSS won GPS titles in 2006, 07, 10 and 17.
A school teacher by profession he was involved with rugby league programs early in his career at Cavendish Road and Balmoral High. In 1985 he was trainer for the Australian Schoolboys’ Rugby League team.
Graham’s older brother, John was a champion halfback for Brothers’ rugby league in the 1970s. Graham followed John into the Brothers’ ranks in 1977 and played first grade at five eighth in 1978 and ’79 under the coaching of former State forward, Reg Cannon. In several matches his halves partner was Terry Butler who went on to represent Queensland as a winger in State of Origin football.
News of Graham’s passing broke as Brothers’ Old Boys gathered at Padua College on August 15 for the unveiling of a Brisbane City Council endorsed sign detailing the history of the club at Corbett Park, Grange, which is now a town house development. Corbett Park was also the home base of the Crushers.
Graham Herlihy died on August 15, 2026, just two days after his 68th birthday. He is survived by his wife Loreen; son Mitchell and daughter Alysse. A celebration of Graham’s life was set down for the Parkwood Golf Club on September 3.
One of the hundreds of tributes posted on Facebook summed up the career of ‘Herls’ – “He was hard but fair. Competitive but compassionate’.
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