The rugby league community has united in support of Jacek McLaurin, the Burleigh Bears outside back who sustained a devastating spinal injury during a Queensland Cup trial match. The incident occurred when McLaurin, who had come off the bench to face his former team the Tweed Seagulls, landed on his head following a tackle that went tragically wrong at the Piggabeen Sports Complex.
Emergency Response and Critical Condition
Medical professionals immediately attended to McLaurin at the ground before he was airlifted to a Brisbane hospital for emergency treatment. The match was subsequently abandoned as the gravity of the situation became apparent. McLaurin's brother, Hamish, provided a heartbreaking update on social media, revealing the severity of the injury.
'My dear brother has broken his back playing footy,' Hamish wrote in an emotional Instagram statement. 'He's in a critical condition in Brisbane hospital. He has had one surgery already and will have another one soon. He will be in an induced coma for a few days.'
Community Support and Club Response
The rugby league community has rallied around the injured player, with messages of support flooding in from across the sport. Burleigh Bears CEO Damien Driscoll expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support while praising the medical team's rapid response.
'In these times, the rugby league community is at its best,' Driscoll stated. 'You see the connections he has made over his time in the game, and a lot of people that don't know him get together in these situations and everyone works together.'
Driscoll added that McLaurin had quickly become a popular member of the squad since joining from the Entrance Tigers during the offseason, describing him as having an 'infectious personality' that endeared him to teammates.
Playing Career and Wider Impact
McLaurin is a well-known figure in rugby league circles beyond his club commitments. He has been a regular participant in the Nines Premier League, having won the tournament with the Southern Sharks in 2023. More recently, he founded his own team, the Dawgs, who claimed victory in the 2025 competition.
The Entrance Tigers, McLaurin's former club, issued a statement of support on Instagram: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with our brother and ex-clubman Yak. We are all behind you Yak.'
Similarly, the Mendi 9s community expressed solidarity on Facebook: 'On behalf of the entire Mendi 9s community, we extend our thoughts and best wishes to Jacek and the McLaurin family following his injury in yesterday's game.'
Official Review and Ongoing Support
The Queensland Rugby League has confirmed it will conduct a thorough review of the incident while providing support to all affected parties. In an official statement, the QRL acknowledged the professionalism displayed by medical personnel at the ground.
'The QRL will undertake a review of the incident and will continue to work with both clubs to ensure quality support and wellbeing services are offered to all members,' the statement read.
Driscoll emphasized the club's commitment to supporting players and staff through this difficult period: 'Everyone deals with situations differently, so the club and the QRL are here to support the players and staff.'
As McLaurin remains in an induced coma following emergency surgery, his brother Hamish captured the family's emotional state while expressing gratitude for the support: 'We are hopeful for some good news but the harsh reality with these injuries is that it never usually ends well. He's a very lovely boy and he's gonna need a hell of a lot of love to get through this.'
