Rugby league legend Tommy Raudonikis has passed away this morning aged 70, following a battle with cancer.
Renowned as one of the game’s hard men, Raudonikis captained New South Wales in the first ever State of Origin match and represented Australia in dozens of Test matches.
One of the dominant halfbacks of the 1970s, he enjoyed a long club career with Western Suburbs, turning out more than 200 times in an 11-year stint at the Magpies between 1969-79. Afterwards, he moved to Newtown for three years, before finishing his playing career with Brothers in Brisbane in 1983.
In 1972, Raudonikis was awarded the Rothmans Medal, crowning him the best player in the NSWRL, and eight years later he took home the Dally M representative player of the year. He was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2008.
“There are few icons in the history of rugby league that will stand as tall as Tommy Raudonikis,” Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis said in a statement.
“Tommy wore the black and white with fervour and passion like no other and is revered for his contribution to our club, our state and our country.
“Tommy will always be remembered as a true legend and unequivocally crucial part of the fabric of Western Suburbs and, in turn, Wests Tigers, and his legacy in the game will certainly live on in the DNA of our club.”
Peter V’landys, the Australian Rugby League Commission’s chairman, also paid tribute, claiming “there will never be another Tommy Raudonikis.”
“Tommy was everything that makes rugby league the greatest game of all. He grew up in a migrant camp in Cowra and went on to become NSW’s first Origin captain.
“As a player there were none tougher. He was a brilliant halfback, what he lacked in stature he more than made up for in smarts and courage to become one of the best players of his era.
“He made people laugh as one of the game’s great larrikins and epitomised the passion and tribalism that is unique to rugby league.
“On behalf of the entire rugby league community, I send my deepest condolences to Tommy’s family and friends,” he said.
After his playing days, Raudonikis moved into coaching, taking the reins at Brothers, Norths and Ipswich in Queensland, as well as returning to Wests as coach from 1995 until their merger with Balmain.
But it was as NSW Blues coach that he truly furthered his place in rugby league folklore, bringing in the infamous “cattledog” cry in 1997 which preceded a flurry of fists on the field.
“I wanted a name for us to come to arms, to put a blue on,” Raudonikis said on The Footy Show in 2017.
“Would we call it ANZAC? Would we call it Gallipoli? Jimmy Dymock put his hand up and said ‘coach, let’s call it the Cattledog’.”
Raudonikis had a string of health issues before his death, including throat and testicular cancer diagnoses, and quadruple heart bypass surgery.
Big Daddy
Guest
He was big compared to Denis Ward and Perry Haddock.
Big Daddy
Guest
Jeff, it's a testament to the man who most of us have never met. Yourself , Paul Spartacus and myself have all mentioned we had the pleasure of meeting him but many haven't and he's one of the guys that stay in your memory. At that time I was a magpies fan so it was a double pleasure . He's one of those guys even though you don't know him you feel you've known him all your life. The game won't be the same without him.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Could have been, davico. Or even a Reschs silver bullet.
Davico
Roar Pro
KB!
Double Agent
Guest
Johnny Mayes was a little halfback.
Double Agent
Guest
I've never regarded Tommy Raudonikus as a little bloke. As far as I can remember he was regarded as a big strong halfback back in the day.
steveng
Roar Rookie
:laughing: thanks Spartacus, dont worry I’m right inside in that bunnie warren and I’m keeping a quite observational eye on things to come, as and when the Bunnies stampede for that 22nd is on, I will come out with all guns blazing :laughing: at this point in time it’s always wise to sit and observe GO ALL YOU BUNNIES :thumbup:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Tommy played in a tough era. But geez he was tough for then even. The little blokes were probably tougher than today, but he was more combative than any of them. Didn’t hurt he could play a bit too!
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
There is only one Tommy, forever an immortal. (even for Union types like myself I loved watched him play growing up), that final is etched in my memory and hence why I decided to follow League. In subsequent years I heard him speak several times. May he RIP, My Thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That somebody referred to him as not a phantom puncher - and ironically there was a funny story about him revealing himself to be the phantom biter in the 70s, where he played it up a great deal, even being photographed looking like the phantom of the opera.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Given it’s one of many hilarious stories about a character of the game, I’d say it is.
Tony
Roar Guru
Jimmmy, the second story is Tommy all over
Tony
Roar Guru
That's it Jeff. He made others feel important and never chased the limelight.
eels47
Roar Rookie
RIP Tommy. Met him not too long ago and he was a great bloke who told it like it was.
Jeff Cook
Roar Rookie
BD , me . I've Been fortunate enough to meet Tommy twice , and many years apart . Both times he greeted me as an old mate . Classy , I thought at the time . And I still do . RIP
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
TWAS, I've followed your comments ever since I joined The Roar in late 2019. I've always enjoyed your comments about both rugby codes, and I've learnt from your erudite comments too. And I hope this continues into the future. But I've read your entire link, and I wonder what you've tried to achieve. A good man and a great player many of my age group respect has gone down. And you have the temerity to draw attention to something that may or may not have happened despite the quote. I agree with the earlier comment from Spartacus. This time, you've picked the wrong time and place for such a crass comment. I would have expected much better from a Roar Guru.
Phil
Roar Rookie
You are right there. When I met him I approached him to ask about a bloke who was known to both of us, a former Wests player whom I had met through work. Duck Walsh was well retired and of senior age but when I mentioned him Tommy's eyes lit up and we had a great old chat. Tommy was 23 yo at the time but had a high regard for Jack (Duck).
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Desperately sorry to hear this news today. Raudonikis was a man who's passion for the game valued Rugby League more than I sometimes think it values itself these days. Vale Tommy. You won't be forgotten.
Tony
Roar Guru
Unless of course I was the Joseph Suaalii of the 70's
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Rugby League has lost a legend today, one of the great characters on and off the field. It will be cliche however Tommy was truly one of a kind. Thoughts go out to his family. RIP