RIP Tommy Raudonikis

I am absolutely disgusted at people turning a great thing into an enormous ball of negativity. People are using the club retiring the 7 jersey for the round as a platform to attack Luke Brooks with vile hate. Some of the things I have read today, not necessarily here, have been really bad.
 
@dallas said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1331276) said:
A Fan on Facebook has suggested if your at the game on Sunday at the 7th minute of the game stand up and give a rousing round of applause for Tommy a wonderful suggestion



That’s a great idea but I think we should chant his name so everyone is fully aware of what is happening.

I'll be there and I'll be chanting his name at that 7 minute mark, and not just then!!
 
@willow said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1330700) said:
RIP Tommy - may the WT belt the tripe out of NQ in your honour this weekend.

Do Yuh reckon the NRL could pay Tommy the greatest honour and compliment by changing this coming weekends game from NQ to Manly... so we can belt the tripe outa them instead.
What could be better than a Fibros V Silvertails match.
Then to properly honour the Great Man, our boys will just have to win the next 6 games in a row after that, to make it
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 games in a row.
 
@kazoo-kid said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1331370) said:
I am absolutely disgusted at people turning a great thing into an enormous ball of negativity. People are using the club retiring the 7 jersey for the round as a platform to attack Luke Brooks with vile hate. Some of the things I have read today, not necessarily here, have been really bad.

I'm glad I've missed that....
 
@lauren said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1331268) said:
Sad to hear, RIP to an extraordinary man.

I mean no disrespect to any forumers..but to the life long Wests Magpies supporters on the forum, thanks for always keeping his(and other former players) memory alive. It's always been a pleasure to hear about your personal experiences and the special moments that solidified your love for the game. Your words unite us all.
Thankyou Tommy for such an incredible legacy!!
It's because of players like you that the Wests Tigers and it's supporter base get to celebrate a proud team and its history. And likewise to rugby league and its fans in general.
They don't make them like they used to.
[/QUOTE]

 
We’ll be there for you and everyone else who can’t attend. This is for everyone and especially our forum family.
 
@kazoo-kid said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1331370) said:
I am absolutely disgusted at people turning a great thing into an enormous ball of negativity. People are using the club retiring the 7 jersey for the round as a platform to attack Luke Brooks with vile hate. Some of the things I have read today, not necessarily here, have been really bad.

You're not wrong there. I have been appalled with some of the diatribe spewing out of some people's mouths. I reckon I know what Tommy would do to these keyboard warriors.
 
Suggestions they may re-name the Origin shield the Beetson Raudonikis shield...much like the Provan Summons trophy

Would be very fitting imo
 
@mike said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1331391) said:
We’ll be there for you and everyone else who can’t attend. This is for everyone and especially our forum family.

Good onya Mike, the rest of us will be there in spirit that's for sure.
 
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/a-man-who-couldn-t-lie-why-one-of-a-kind-tommy-defined-integrity-20210408-p57hjn.html


All the 7's
 
I agree to screaming out Tommy at the 7minute mark!! We should also have a moment where we scream out cattle dog! Whether there’s a bit of push and shove or we need a lift in the game! Let’s make this happen
 
@gallagher said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1331556) said:
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/a-man-who-couldn-t-lie-why-one-of-a-kind-tommy-defined-integrity-20210408-p57hjn.html


All the 7's

You could always trust that Masters would provide a fitting write up for him. A very good read.
 
https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-2021-south-sydney-rabbitohs-brisbane-broncos-tommy-raudonikis-tributes/f8c0b834-1983-4ef4-a6a3-5e9b7256bd16

Phil Gould has delivered an emotional tribute to late rugby league icon Tommy Raudonikis, holding back tears as he reflected on the legendary figure during the half-time break in the Rabbitohs' match against the Broncos.

Gould and Raudonikis were teammates at the Newtown Jets in the early 1980s, took turns coaching the NSW Blues in the late 1990s and early 2000s and were lifelong friends.

Gould spared almost three minutes during tonight's half-time break to honour a man who this week lost a battle with cancer at the age of 70.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Yesterday morning when the news first broke that the great Tom Raudonikis had passed away, you could just feel the rugby league world stop," Gould said on Nine's coverage.

"We all took a breath, exhaled. It was a moment of reflection and sadness.

"Rugby league had lost its most charismatic personality. This was a man who was larger than life, the likes of which we will never see again.

"You will hear many stories about Tom Raudonikis. They will sound exaggerated, embellished and sometimes totally unbelievable. But trust me: they're all true.

"Tom came into big-time rugby league in the 60s and 70s. It was a tough and violent era back then, but to say Tommy was very comfortable in that environment would be a massive understatement. He reveled in it. He was a fierce combatant; a raw, passionate, unapologetic competitor. He feared no one. He would never take a backward step.

"Tommy was an inspirational leader. You never wanted to let him down. You felt an obligation to prove yourself to him. His acknowledgement meant the world to you. He turned boys into men. He built comradery, unbreakable bonds and lifetime friendships. He liked to make people laugh, even at his own expense.

"Away from the competition on game day, Tommy was a kind and compassionate man. Tommy's greatest gift was the way he made people feel. Whether it was a fan who just on the street wanted to get a handshake, or the prime minister of Australia, Tommy gave them all 100 per cent attention. He made them all feel good. He never forgot anyone.

"Through all the success he had as a player and a coach, and the notoriety it brought him, he never forgot where he came from. He was always true to himself and his friends.

"As the saying goes, if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings nor lose the common touch - that was Tommy. He never lost the common touch. He was the man of the people, he was the people's champion.

"Many will be saddened by his passing. Each will remember in their own special way.

"The moments that we experienced with Tommy when he was going himself 100 per cent of himself - that's what Tommy did. That was his gift. He gave us all our own special memories of him."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The tributes on the opening night of round five began with a minute's silence ahead of South Sydney's clash with Brisbane.

Cameras captured Broncos legend and trainer Allan Langer, who was coached by Raudonikis at the Ipswich Jets in the mid to late 1980s, tearing up.

Endless tributes will roll out over the remainder of round five, in honour of a remarkable rugby league figure and human.
 
I must admit there's a few times these past coupla days... Reading the tributes... I've felt a little tear start 😢

![20210409_082612.jpg](/assets/uploads/files/1617920911374-20210409_082612.jpg)
 
This is one of the storys i have always had a chuckle over. Its so unbelievable that you just know its true.



18 BEERS, A FIRE AND A WHACK IN THE GUTS

While playing for the Newtown Jets, Raudonikis was doing some boxing training with iconic trainer Johnny Lewis. He also dabbled in the management side of things, representing an up and comer at the time, Jeff Malcolm.

Back in 1980, Malcolm had an exhibition fight in Wagga on the same day as Raudonikis’ game for the Jets back in 1980 so the pair organised for a mini van to take them from Henson Park straight to Bankstown Airport to board a four-seater chartered flight.

A few years ago, Paul Kent told the story of Raudonikis’ day of drinks, smokes, a fire and an almighty whack to the guts.

“Tommy walked straight through the dressing room, grabbed his bag, jumped straight into the Tarago and they’re on their way to Bankstown,” Kent told Triple M.

“He’s still got his boots, jumper, shorts on, mud all over him and as they’re flying through traffic cutting in and out, Tommy’s yelled out ‘stop the car, stop the car.’ The driver’s panicked and hit the breaks, Tommy’s jumped out of the car, ran into the bottle shop and came out with a carton of Tooheys.”

The duo finally arrive to the airport where another boxer — a very well-dressed one — Paul Ferrari was waiting. He had no idea who Raudonikis was.

“He’s looked at Tommy like the monster from the Green Lagoon has jumped out,” Kent said.

Unfortunately for the group, the pilot was a rookie and could only take them to Bathurst, where they’d have to board another flight... they begin their trip anyways.

“Tommy starts getting on the drinks. He likes to have a smoke when he has a beer so Tommy starts lighting up cigarettes on this little plane,” Kent said.

“The pilot starts to panic because he can smell smoke — he has no idea that Tommy’s behind him — so he starts checking all the instruments and he suddenly turns around to ask if anyone was smoking.

“Tommy hides his smoke down beside him and said ‘nah mate.’ But as Tommy was talking — this is back in the days when carpet went up the wall in planes — he set the carpet on fire and flames started to come off the carpet.”

Ferrari jumped up and put out the fire, but Raudonikis was more upset that he wasted a beer.

They arrived to Bathurst only to find out the new pilot isn’t licenced to take them to Wagga either, so they reboard with the rookie pilot — after convincing him — and off they went.

“As they’re flying, Tommy’s still drinking the cans and there’s no toilet on the plane. He solves that problem though,” Kent said.

“So he stands up and as he’s bouncing around in the aisle he’s got an empty can in front of him and he’s trying to sort himself out.

“There ends up being a little offshoot to the side all over Ferrari. He gets up wanting to kill Tommy because he just peed all over him, Malcolm had to separate them so this fight was mid-air on a four-seater.”

They finally arrive at Wagga but by the time they get to the exhibition fight, Malcolm’s opponent was sick of waiting around and had left.

So what do they do?

“Tommy — who is about 18 cans into his day after playing footy — says ‘I’ll spar him’,” Kent said.

Malcolm was hesitant and asked Lewis what he should do. Lewis just told him “you know what, he’s made this trip a misery, I’ve had a gutful of him, whack him in the guts.’

And so he did.

“Jeff Malcolm hit Tommy nice and low... and this big foam shot across the ring and Tommy’s hit the deck,” Kent said.
 
@wounded_magpie said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1330564) said:
Absolutely shocked.
My childhood hero gone.
Tommy - you will never be forgotten
RIP

I’ve been around since 1960 and followed west’s all my life. I’ve never in that time seen such an out pouring of emotion and love for a fellow Australian. It’s surreal I’ve never met Tommy yet I feel like I’ve lost a brother. RIP legend.
 
@diedpretty said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1331600) said:
This is one of the storys i have always had a chuckle over. Its so unbelievable that you just know its true.



18 BEERS, A FIRE AND A WHACK IN THE GUTS

While playing for the Newtown Jets, Raudonikis was doing some boxing training with iconic trainer Johnny Lewis. He also dabbled in the management side of things, representing an up and comer at the time, Jeff Malcolm.

Back in 1980, Malcolm had an exhibition fight in Wagga on the same day as Raudonikis’ game for the Jets back in 1980 so the pair organised for a mini van to take them from Henson Park straight to Bankstown Airport to board a four-seater chartered flight.

A few years ago, Paul Kent told the story of Raudonikis’ day of drinks, smokes, a fire and an almighty whack to the guts.

“Tommy walked straight through the dressing room, grabbed his bag, jumped straight into the Tarago and they’re on their way to Bankstown,” Kent told Triple M.

“He’s still got his boots, jumper, shorts on, mud all over him and as they’re flying through traffic cutting in and out, Tommy’s yelled out ‘stop the car, stop the car.’ The driver’s panicked and hit the breaks, Tommy’s jumped out of the car, ran into the bottle shop and came out with a carton of Tooheys.”

The duo finally arrive to the airport where another boxer — a very well-dressed one — Paul Ferrari was waiting. He had no idea who Raudonikis was.

“He’s looked at Tommy like the monster from the Green Lagoon has jumped out,” Kent said.

Unfortunately for the group, the pilot was a rookie and could only take them to Bathurst, where they’d have to board another flight... they begin their trip anyways.

“Tommy starts getting on the drinks. He likes to have a smoke when he has a beer so Tommy starts lighting up cigarettes on this little plane,” Kent said.

“The pilot starts to panic because he can smell smoke — he has no idea that Tommy’s behind him — so he starts checking all the instruments and he suddenly turns around to ask if anyone was smoking.

“Tommy hides his smoke down beside him and said ‘nah mate.’ But as Tommy was talking — this is back in the days when carpet went up the wall in planes — he set the carpet on fire and flames started to come off the carpet.”

Ferrari jumped up and put out the fire, but Raudonikis was more upset that he wasted a beer.

They arrived to Bathurst only to find out the new pilot isn’t licenced to take them to Wagga either, so they reboard with the rookie pilot — after convincing him — and off they went.

“As they’re flying, Tommy’s still drinking the cans and there’s no toilet on the plane. He solves that problem though,” Kent said.

“So he stands up and as he’s bouncing around in the aisle he’s got an empty can in front of him and he’s trying to sort himself out.

“There ends up being a little offshoot to the side all over Ferrari. He gets up wanting to kill Tommy because he just peed all over him, Malcolm had to separate them so this fight was mid-air on a four-seater.”

They finally arrive at Wagga but by the time they get to the exhibition fight, Malcolm’s opponent was sick of waiting around and had left.

So what do they do?

“Tommy — who is about 18 cans into his day after playing footy — says ‘I’ll spar him’,” Kent said.

Malcolm was hesitant and asked Lewis what he should do. Lewis just told him “you know what, he’s made this trip a misery, I’ve had a gutful of him, whack him in the guts.’

And so he did.

“Jeff Malcolm hit Tommy nice and low... and this big foam shot across the ring and Tommy’s hit the deck,” Kent said.

Haha what a pest, I love it.
 
@innsaneink said in [RIP Tommy Raudonikis](/post/1331546) said:
Suggestions they may re-name the Origin shield the Beetson Raudonikis shield...much like the Provan Summons trophy

Would be very fitting imo

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