Mourners farewell former NRL coach Graham Murray

Mourners have gathered in Brisbane to farewell former rugby league player and coach Graham Murray, who died last week aged 58.

Murray's life support was switched off last Monday after he was admitted to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

It was the second time in less than six months Murray had been in hospital after spending a week in a coma following a heart attack in March.

Players from Murray's former club Wynnum Manly Seagulls formed a guard of honour at the funeral service

Murray emerged as a halfback for Parramatta in the late 1970s and was quickly recognised for his ability to read play and his deft passing at the line. He went on to play 88 first-grade games at Parramatta and later South Sydney.

As a coach, 'Muzza' took the Illawarra Steelers to their only competition win - the 1992 pre-season challenge - and also steered the club to their first finals series the same year, earning him Dally M coach of the year.

After a stint with Super League team the Hunter Mariners, Murray headed to the UK, taking Leeds to an English Super League final in 1998 and then a Challenge Cup victory in 1999 before returning to Sydney.

He made an immediate impact during the 2000 season, guiding the Roosters to their first grand final in 20 years.

In 2004, Murray led North Queensland to their first final series and then the Cowboys' first grand final in 2005.

Along the way, the quietly spoken former school teacher coached the Blues in Origin in 2006 and 2007 and the City Origin team.

He began 2013 looking to coach the Jillaroos World Cup team and Wynnum Manly in Brisbane but suffered a heart attack earlier this year.