Les Heidke

Who is Les Heidke?

Les Heidke was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1930s and 40s. An Australian international and Queensland interstate representative forward, he played club football in Queensland with Ipswich's Tivoli, West End and Rialto clubs, as well as for Wide Bay. Heidke retired with the most games for Queensland against New South Wales in history.

Les Heidke's father was 1908 Kangaroo William Heidke and his uncle was Harold Heidke, who also played for Australia.

In 1928 Heidke first represented Queensland in the annual three-match series against New South Wales. In 1932 Heidke became Kangaroo No. 172 when he first played for Australia against Great Britain in the 1932 Ashes series. Heidke was ruled out of the 1933-34 Kangaroo tour with a poisoned leg, caused by a bite from a red-back spider.

Between 1932 and 1946, Heidke represented Ipswich in the Bulimba Cup a record 53 times, scoring 20 tries.

Heidke's 11-year-old son died on 7 July 1946.

In 2008, rugby league in Australia's centenary year, Heidke was named on the bench of the Bundaberg Rugby League's team of the century.