Nick Yakich

Nick Yakich (18 January 1940 – 28 May 2019) was an Australian rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership competition. His position of choice was on the .

Early life

Nick Yakich, the son of a Croatian immigrant who stowed away on a ship bound for Perth in the 1920s, moved to Mossman (Qld) in the late 1940s. From there he moved to Sydney where he attended Marist Brothers North Shore (Mosman) with future rugby league star winger Ken Irvine. He then attended Newcastle Teachers College with his brother Fred (also a future Sea Eagle).

Beach Sprinting

Yakich was a sprinting protege' of former Manly, NSW and Australian winger Johnny Bliss, who had also won a record 12 Australian Beach Sprint championships. Yakich would go on to win 5 Australian championships with the North Narrabeen Surf Club before his knee injury suffered in 1966 forced his retirement.

Career playing statistics

Point scoring summary Games Tries Goals F/G Points 74 52 - - 208

Matches played Team Matches Years Manly Sea Eagles 74 1960–1966 New South Wales 3 1965