Ian Thinee

Your Say

• Kristy Masella
  19 Mar 2019 3:51pm

  IAN THINEE
  AKA “Mr Perpetual Motion”, or “The Energiser Bunny”
  Described by League Action Live on Radio 4IP:
  “Non-stop dashing lock, always a danger in attack”
  
  Born in Rockhampton in 1950 and raised on the banks of Morse Creek’s shanty town, Ian Thinee was a true representation of the high calibre players that emerged out of country Queensland to dominate an unforgettable era in Rugby League in the 1970s and 1980s. His game was synonymous with being a work horse, as tough a as they come, a tackling machine. Thinee wasn’t one of the biggest players of this era, but his heart was second to none.
  During Thinee’s era, players worked normal day jobs during the week, and the first 10 minutes of every game was unofficially known as the ‘softening up’ period with loose arms, and some of the most notorious fist fights in Rugby League history. Thinee worked as a boilermaker and held his own on the field, going toe to toe with some of the world’s greatest. He described the hardest game he ever played as being against England in 1975.
  Thinee started his highly successful Rugby League career as a skinny-legged teenager at Fitzroy’s who described him as “arguably the best player to develop at the Club”. He went on to play over 164 first grade games and was described by Brisbane Rugby League as being “integral to the success of the Dolphins”. Thinee has been immortalised in Rugby League history by being named in numerous Teams of the Century including being named as one of the Former Origin Greats at Suncorp Stadium in 2007. Thinee was named Player of the Year by Brisbane Rugby League in 1971 and The Courier Mail player of the year in 1973.
  Thinee retired from Brisbane Rugby League in 1981 after playing many years of representative football and playing in the Grand final. He returned home to his junior club to Captain/Coach Fitzroy’s A Grade team and take out a Premiership. His commitment to Rugby League goes beyond the field with Thinee taking on a leadership role as a Delegate to Rockhampton Rugby League, Committeeman and President. He was honoured as a Life Time Member.
  
  
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  STATISTICS
  Brisbane Rugby League
  • Dolphin # 139
  • 164 First Grade Games
  • First grade player of the year 1971, 1974
  • Old Boys player of the year 1971
  • Brisbane Rugby League player of the year 1971
  • Brisbane vs England Match 1975
  • Brisbane Representative 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977
  • Played in four first grade grand finals for the Dolphins 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981
  • Tries 23 for Redcliffe
  • Named in the Dolphins Team of the Decade in 1967-1976
  • Named in the Dolphins Team of the Century
  
  Queensland Rugby League
  • Courier Mail player of the year 1973
  • Queensland Representative 1975
  • North Queensland Representative 1976
  • Named One of the QLD Indigenous Origin Greats in 2007 at Suncorp Stadium
  
  Rockhampton/Central Queensland Region Rugby League
  • CQ Capras First Captain
  • Fitzroy’s Indigenous Team of the Century 2017
  • Fitzroy’s Team of the Century 2017
  • Awarded Life Membership in 1990 following 10 Years of service
  • Premiership Winning A Grade Captain
  • A Grade Coach
  • Delegate to the Rockhampton Rugby League, Committeeman and President
  • Named one of the Capricorn Region Central Division Team of the Century (1908-2008)

• Anonymous
  21 Sep 2022 10:01pm

  Rugby league royalty.

• Ray
  6 Jun 2024 3:09am

  Seemed nearly every time the Redcliffe Dolphins played a club match at Lang Park in the 70s Ian Thinee won the 4IP man of the match award, tackled his heart out in every game. Could have played for Australia and probably would have if not for the fact that the Australian lock at the time was the great Ron Coote. Ian Thinee was involved in one of Maroon's greatest Wins at Lang Park in 1975 beating the Blues 14-8 a rare feat in those PRE Origin days up against star studded NSW sides.

• Paula.besford
  2 Apr 2025 9:03am

  Yes. He won a car for man of the match. I saw it!

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