But the 79 year old was overcome by emotion when he arrived at a Nelson Bay old boy's reunion day last month.

To coincide with his birthday, the Northern Blues and Port councillor Frank Ward organised a surprise reunion of players and associates from McKiernan's 16-year playing career, which took place at clubs in Kempsey, Maitland and Tenterfield before he moved to Nelson Bay and became club president.

"It was a wonderful birthday present, I couldn't believe some of the people that were there," he said.

"They asked me to say a few words but that was a bit difficult, it got very emotional."

A distinguished hooker, representative honours began for the now-Shoal Bay resident as an 18 year old when he turned out for North Coast against a touring Great Britain side.

He went on to play France twice a decade apart, New Zealand and an American All Stars team.

"Playing France twice, 10 years apart, would have to be one of the most memorable things about my career."

McKiernan said his passion for rugby league remains strong today as he watches the NRL stars every weekend, but remembers a more harrowing version of the game.

In his day he claims players who were prepared to literally use their head "were generally the ones that won the ball."

He also remembers vividly receiving the news that a knee injury had ended his career.

"I still remember sitting in a hospital bed and the doctor telling me that if I play again and get hurt I might not walk again...I felt like I wanted to cry."

At the reunion Cr Ward presented McKiernan with a framed board featuring blazer badges from McKiernan's career milestones.

McKiernan's three sons Robert, Chris and John also represented Nelson Bay.