Vale Carl Webb: A true warrior

Queensland Rugby League today pays tribute to inspirational former Queensland Maroons player Carl Webb, who sadly passed away last night.

A Dalby Diehards junior, Carl progressed from community rugby league into the Queensland Cup on his way to earning the reputation as one of rugby league’s most feared forwards in the elite game.

He went on to play a combined today of 187 NRL games for the Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels in a decorated career that also included 12 State of Origin matches for Queensland and one Test for Australia.

QRL chief executive officer Ben Ikin extended his condolences to Carl’s family and friends, as he reflected his former teammate’s outstanding career.

“Everyone who watched Carl’s journey over the past few years was inspired by his bravery,” Ikin said.

“I found it truly remarkable that a guy who made a living out of being so powerful and explosive could handle with such grace the debilitating effects of MND.

“And while we marvel at Carl’s courage dealing with MND, let’s not forget that his exploits in the Maroons jersey are the stuff of legend.

“The things he did for Queensland, some of them well outside the bounds of polite society, will be on State of Origin highlights reels forever.

“Rugby league lost true warrior this week and our condolences go out to Carl’s family at this very difficult time.”

At the peak of his powers, Carl was regarded as one of the game’s toughest players, often described as a “wrecking ball” by teammates.

His Maroons teammates and fans still laud his State of Origin debut in 2001, when the then 20-year-old crashed through several New South Wales players to score a stunning try that lifted his team to an upset win at Suncorp Stadium.

More than two decades on, the brave former Maroons hardman was still inspiring old teammates, his family, and all of those close to him as he fought Motor Neurone Disease over a period of four years.

In true Carl style, he showed enormous courage and resilience by creating the Carl Webb Foundation to provide a better future for his four children and other sufferers of MND.

You can donate to the Carl Webb Foundation, or read more about its service, here.