The rugby league community is rallying around Jacek McLaurin after the Burleigh Bears outside back was rushed to hospital with a spinal injury following a tackle that went wrong.
McLaurin had come off the bench during a Queensland Cup trial match against his former team, the Tweed Seagulls, when he landed on his head during the tackle.
Queensland Rugby League are conducting a review of the incident.
McLaurin was immediately attended to by medical professionals at the Piggabeen Sports Complex before he was airlifted to Brisbane for emergency treatment. The match was subsequently called off.
Jacek’s brother, Hamish, delivered an update on his brother’s condition on Sunday, writing on social media that the Burleigh Bears player would be placed in an induced coma.
‘Just want to give people an update on the situation,’ Hamish wrote in a statement on Instagram. ‘My dear brother @jacekmclaurin has broken his back playing footy.
The rugby league community is rallying around Jacek McLaurin after the Burleigh Bears outside back was rushed to hospital with a spinal injury following a tackle that went wrong
‘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.
‘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.
‘We will be with him the whole way.
‘We appreciate everyone’s care and support.
‘Sending all love to Yak. We got you bro.’
McLaurin had only recently signed for the Bears from the Entrance Tigers during the offseason.
The outside back is also regularly seen playing in the Nines Premier League, having won the tournament with the Southern Sharks in 2023.
His brother, Hamish, took to Instagram to provide an update on his brother, writing that Jacek ‘would be placed in an induced coma’
McLaurin had only recently signed for the Burleigh Bears from the Entrance Tigers
Burleigh CEO Damien Driscoll said McLaurin (pictured) had quickly become a popular member of the squad due to his ‘infectious personality’
He would go on to found his own team, the Dawgs, who beat the Salty Pigs to win the competition in 2025.
Bears chief executive Damien Driscoll thanked the rugby league community for its support of McLaurin.
‘In these times, the rugby league community is at its best,’ he said.
‘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.
‘This is his first season at the club, but he’s certainly made an impression on the players. He’s an infectious personality, so he’s popular among the playing group.’
Driscoll also praised the medical team who attended McLaurin following the incident.
‘We have an outstanding medical team and they were first on the scene, quite quickly, and did a tremendous job in a difficult situation,’ Driscoll said.
‘It’s quite raw, obviously, as it only happened a couple of days ago. As a playing group and staff, we got together and did a debrief, and we’ll reconvene on Monday night to make sure everyone is okay and they get the support that they need.
McLaurin is also a familiar face on the nines circuit, having won the Nines Premier League twice with the Southern Sharks and his own team, the Dawgs
‘Everyone deals with situations differently, so the club and the QRL are here to support the players and staff.’
The Entrance Tigers took to Instagram to issue their support to their former player.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with our brother and ex-clubman Yak @jacekmclaurin after hearing about his devastating injury over the weekend,’ the Tigers wrote.
‘We are all behind you Yak.’
McLaurin had also played for the Titans of Coal in the Townsville Mendi 9s competition last year.
Mendi 9s wrote 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.
‘We stand beside Yak as he works through this challenging period and send our full support for a strong and steady recovery.’
Queensland Rugby League has since issued a statement, adding that they would be providing their support to both those involved with the Burleigh Bears and the Tweed Seagulls.
The Entrance Tigers issued their support to their former player McLaurin, writing on Instagram: ‘We are all behind you Yak’
‘Queensland Rugby League is aware of a suspected spinal injury sustained by a player during yesterday’s Hostplus Cup trial match between the Burleigh Bears and Tweed Seagulls,’ the QRL statement read.
‘An on‑site doctor immediately treated a Burleigh player when play was paused during the second half of the match at Piggabeen.
‘The game did not continue as the doctor and additional qualified club personnel attended to the player until an ambulance arrived at the ground.
‘He was flown to hospital, where he is currently receiving the highest standard of care and support from medical professionals.
‘The QRL acknowledges the level of professionalism and care displayed by all who were 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.’
