BermiTiger
Active member
RIP Tommy! The loss of a game legend.
RIP Tommy Raudonikis
- Thread starter Wounded_magpie
- Start date
Vale Tommy Raudonikis
Author
Wests Tigers
Timestamp
Wed 7 Apr 2021, 10:00 AM
Wests Tigers are deeply saddened by the passing of rugby league icon Tommy Raudonikis.
One of the game’s most passionate and iconic players, Raudonikis played over 240 games for Western Suburbs Magpies throughout the late 1960’s and 1970’s before contributing further to club as a coach throughout the 1990’s.
His playing and coaching career also extended heavily into the representative arena, having played 60 games for Australia and 24 games for New South Wales, where he also featured as coach for six games between 1997 and 1998.
Named as part of Western Suburbs and Wests Tigers’ respective Teams of the Century, Raudonikis was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1982.
He was inducted as an inaugural Member of the Magpies Hall of Fame and NRL Hall of Fame in 2008.
Raudonikis passed away aged 70 on Wednesday morning.
Wests Tigers Chair Lee Hagipantelis paid credit to Raudonikis’ 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.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe reflected on his time spent alongside Raudonikis.
“Tommy is certainly an inspirational part of our club’s history and someone with whom I greatly appreciated spending time with,” Pascoe said.
“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 Western Suburbs and Wests Tigers.”
Wests Tigers will recognise and celebrate Tommy Raudonikis’ impact to the club this Sunday when they take on the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval.
The thoughts of all the club are with Tommy’s friends and family during this time.
Author
Wests Tigers
Timestamp
Wed 7 Apr 2021, 10:00 AM
Wests Tigers are deeply saddened by the passing of rugby league icon Tommy Raudonikis.
One of the game’s most passionate and iconic players, Raudonikis played over 240 games for Western Suburbs Magpies throughout the late 1960’s and 1970’s before contributing further to club as a coach throughout the 1990’s.
His playing and coaching career also extended heavily into the representative arena, having played 60 games for Australia and 24 games for New South Wales, where he also featured as coach for six games between 1997 and 1998.
Named as part of Western Suburbs and Wests Tigers’ respective Teams of the Century, Raudonikis was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1982.
He was inducted as an inaugural Member of the Magpies Hall of Fame and NRL Hall of Fame in 2008.
Raudonikis passed away aged 70 on Wednesday morning.
Wests Tigers Chair Lee Hagipantelis paid credit to Raudonikis’ 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.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe reflected on his time spent alongside Raudonikis.
“Tommy is certainly an inspirational part of our club’s history and someone with whom I greatly appreciated spending time with,” Pascoe said.
“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 Western Suburbs and Wests Tigers.”
Wests Tigers will recognise and celebrate Tommy Raudonikis’ impact to the club this Sunday when they take on the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval.
The thoughts of all the club are with Tommy’s friends and family during this time.
Tiger_heart
Well-known member
Gone to Rugby League Heaven...RIP..
TillLindemann
Well-known member
Not just a footy legend, but a cultural legend, a symbol of a rough larrikin spirit that is sadly on the verge of extinction.
Vince Farrar
New member
@tilllindemann said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1330755) said:
Google Tom’s rendition of harden up. It cracks me up every time I watch it . God bless him.
G
Guest
Guest
@fibrodreaming said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1330736) said:
Exactly. All the cattle dog stuff distracts from the fact that he WAS a champion footballer. At his peak there's been none better. I'd pick him over any half of the last 50 years.
Tommy played in his words " as if the opposition had done something to his family" and would do anything to win.
The game may have moved on but gee I wish his attitude could somehow be injected into our team.
Elderslie_Tiger
Well-known member
Fox a playing a tribute to Tommy looks like it's going all afternoon legendary stuff we'll worty a look
momo_amp_medo
Well-known member
I’ve been travelling north so don’t have time to respond.
I’m bloody gutted!
This guy was in my mind what “underdog makes good”story was all about and the reason I have been supporter of the west’s magpies and now west’s tigers for well over 50 years.
Tommy to me was a great little player and big hearted leader (by example) with dogged determination to lead and win.....!
Never did he leave the field without giving his all. Set the example for his forwards and drove the herd like a drovers dog.
He was battler to his last breath and particularly during the last 30 odd years ...... against testicular cancer, multiple bypass operations and other post playing injuries.
I’ll miss him but never forget him. My heart is broken!
My condolences to family and friends.
  
I’m bloody gutted!
This guy was in my mind what “underdog makes good”story was all about and the reason I have been supporter of the west’s magpies and now west’s tigers for well over 50 years.
Tommy to me was a great little player and big hearted leader (by example) with dogged determination to lead and win.....!
Never did he leave the field without giving his all. Set the example for his forwards and drove the herd like a drovers dog.
He was battler to his last breath and particularly during the last 30 odd years ...... against testicular cancer, multiple bypass operations and other post playing injuries.
I’ll miss him but never forget him. My heart is broken!
My condolences to family and friends.
  
Fox 502 and kayo 8pm AEST
momo_amp_medo
Well-known member
@russell said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1330783) said:
He did .... sigh!
Tiger_Fanatic3
Well-known member
It is highly encouraged that Tigers players and coaching staff all wear black armbands on Sunday to mourn the loss of a great Rugby League Legend.
Elderslie_Tiger
Well-known member
@tiger_fanatic3 said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1330824) said:
They should also wear the predominant black and white strip to show respect for a legend of our game .I heard Tommy say in an interview with Yvonne Sampson "I have no regrets and I'd do it all again"
R.I.P. TOMMY
happy_tiger
Well-known member
Now I know why Dad has left a message ......
A few know that I was in the Ipswich system under Tommy in 86
So many fun memories from those days
Sorry ..this little black duck is a blubbering mess .....
A few know that I was in the Ipswich system under Tommy in 86
So many fun memories from those days
Sorry ..this little black duck is a blubbering mess .....
cqtiger
Well-known member
I wish this team had half the fight in them that Tommy had. He never gave up.
My saddest memory was Tommy playing for Newtown, it just didn’t seem right, he was a magpie through and through.
RIP old mate.
My saddest memory was Tommy playing for Newtown, it just didn’t seem right, he was a magpie through and through.
RIP old mate.
TillLindemann
Well-known member
Brett Hodgson always said what a big influence Tommy had been on him.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Poor Tommy. Definitely lived a lot longer than he should have. Legend.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
@tilllindemann said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1330857) said:
Not surprised. Tommy is the one who brought him into first grade. It’s been long forgotten, but Hodgo played a few games at halfback at the Magpies, and did a decent job in a terrible side.
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