League great Tommy Raudonikis dead after long battle with cancer
Tune into NRL 360's 'Tribute to Tommy' special episode tonight from 6.30pm AEST, featuring special guests Les Boyd, Johnny Lewis, Barry Wood, Mark Carroll, Geoff Toovey and Laurie Daley.
The rugby league world is in mourning after one of the game’s biggest legends, Tommy Raudonikis, died at the age of 70 from cancer.
Raudonikis played at halfback for both Wests and Newtown, suiting up for the Jets in the 1981 grand final.
He had testicular cancer after a quadruple heart surgery and was later diagnosed with throat cancer.
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‘CATTLEDOG SPIRIT WILL LIVE FOREVER’: League mourns ‘Tommy Riciulous’
The rugby league icon opened up to Fox League’s League Life in 2019, revealing just how close he came to defeat amid his journey with cancer.
“Six months, a year ago, I was gone. The cancer had spread and got around my carotid artery,” he told League Life at the time.
“I’ve had cancer of the testicles, four bypasses, cancer of the vocal cords, cancer of the throat. But this last one... they couldn’t have any more radiation or chemotherapy.
“And they couldn’t operate because one miss and I’m dead.”
He though was given an experimental drug which he called “special” and estimated had “cut the cancer by half.”
HIS PLAYING CAREER
Raudonikis was born to Ukrainian parents and grew up in Wagga Wagga and joined Western Suburbs after meeting fellow league great Arthur Summons while serving in the air force.
Raudonikis made his first grade debut for Magpies against the St George Dragons in 1969.
He played 238 games in his career with 201 at Western Suburbs and 37 at Newtown.
Raudonikis also represented Australia in 29 Tests and played 21 Interstate matches for NSW, two against touring international teams and one State of Origin.
He was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2008.
FACT FILE
Juniors: Cowra/RAAF Wagga
Teams: Western Suburbs Magpies, Newtown Jets
Position: Halfback
Premiership career: Played 238, 34 tries, 102 points
First grade debut: Wests vs St George at Lidcombe Oval, 19, July 1969
Australia: 29 Tests
NSW: 21 interstate matches, 2 matches vs touring international teams, 1 State of Origin
Captaincy: 9 games
THE STORY BEHIND THE CATTLEDOG CRY
He also coached the Blues and famously came up with the ‘Cattledog’ cry to fire up his Blues side in the series in 1997.
Mark Carroll told Fox League’s NRL 360 back in 2017 of the first time Raudonikis addressed the squad and introduced them to the war cry.
When they heard it, the Blues players were meant to start an all-in brawl and every player would take part.
“Back in 1997, Tommy had this call for ‘fight’,” Carroll told NRL 360.
“We got through the first game, second game and third game I thought ‘He’s going to call it’.
“Clinton O’Brien took the ball up and got a bit of an elbow and they took him off.
“The trainer ran on yelling ‘Cattledog, Cattledog’ and I said to Chief (Blues legend Paul Harragon), ‘I’ve got the Cattledog’.
“I’d visualised what to do, because back then there was only one camera, there wasn’t cameras everywhere.
“The poor bloke that came on was Craig Smith from St George Illawarra (born in New Zealand), he’s just come on and I just went whack.
“It’s the best punch I’ve ever landed, on his chin, and that was the ‘Cattledog’.”
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD REACTS
The rugby league world was quick to pay tribute to Raudonikis, whose excellence on the field was matched by his character off it.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys called Raudonikis “one of a kind.”
“Tommy was one of a kind. There will never be another Tommy Raudonikis,’’ Mr V’landys said.
“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.
“Few did more to promote our game than Tommy, whether it was at a luncheon on television or radio, Tommy was always there to talk up the game he loved. He made people laugh as one of the game’s great larrikins and epitomised the passion and tribalism that is unique to rugby league.”
The Wests Tigers acknowledged “one of the game’s most passionate and iconic players” in a statement on the club’s website.
The club’s chair Lee Hagipantelis paid tribute to his immense impact on the club.
“There are few icons in the history of rugby league that will stand as tall as Tommy Raudonikis,” Hagipantelis said.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe added: “His wisdom, insight and passion for our club and game was like no other, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time learning from and listening to him.
“He is without doubt the fiercest competitor I have ever met and is someone who will be deeply remembered and missed by everyone associated with Wests Tigers.”
The Tigers will recognise and celebrate Raudonikis at Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.
Both the Magpies and Jets also reacted to the news of former player Raudonikis’ death.
Western Suburbs Magpies tweeted: “VALE Tommy Raudonikis Magpie #655 @westsmagpies are saddened to learn of the passing of much loved Magpie Tommy Raudonikis As both player & coach, Tommy has been at the heart & Soul of the Magpies and their supporters for 50 years. Our thoughts are with Tommy’s family.”
Meanwhile, Newtown Jets also paid their respects, tweeting: “The Newtown Jets are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former grand final captain Tommy Raudonikis. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”