Tributes have poured in for Stan Pilecki, who passed away in his Brisbane home on Wednesday.
Pilecki has been remembered as one of the most colourful characters the game has seen, with stories from throughout his career flooding social media in the wake of his death.
One such story was highlighted by former Wallaby and prominent media figure Peter FitzSimons.
Fitzimons recalled the moment Pilecki scored his first try for Queensland in 1984 - having made his debut nine years earlier - only to declare "Anyone can have a bad decade."
A famous photo of Pilecki smoking a cigar with a cigarette in his other hand, arm draped over Tony Shaw in celebration, also appeared on Wednesday afternoon.
Stan knew how to celebrate a win.
— Jason Buffier (@KurriNorm) December 20, 2017
Vale. pic.twitter.com/8igqumYhIt
Hundreds of Queensland rugby fans have also paid tribute to Pilecki, each in their own unique way.
Rugby in the 70s and 80s was raw and rugged and Wallaby #594, Stan Pilecki, was an irrepressible part of its fabric. A sad loss. #RIP
— Gordon Lomas (@gordon_lomas) December 20, 2017
Only a few weeks ago I helped Stan Pilecki find a home for a brood mare.. today big Stan died. Real giant of a man with a really kind heart. Loved a cigarette and a bet
— Benjamin Perkins (@Blazing_Ben) December 20, 2017
Vale Stan Pilecki. He was a dead set legend. Used to see him every weekend at the kennel, when I played there. No better supporter. Thoughts to the family and Wests.
— John Alexander (@Wheatman01) December 20, 2017
Of all the tributes, former Wallaby Drew Mitchell summed up the proud Queenslander best in just a handful of words.
Stan Pilecki is, and always will be QUEENSLAND
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) December 20, 2017
From club to state to country, THANK YOU..
#594
