Almanac Rugby League: Vale Tom Raudonikis

 

Rugby league heaven took a turn for the outrageous yesterday with the arrival of Tommy Raudonikis, the gutsy, rough and tough, never-take-a-backward-step, champion halfback for the Western Suburbs Magpies, the Newtown Jets, New South Wales and Australia. Tommy passed away at the age of 70 after a long battle with cancer.

 

Few characters transcend the game but Raudonikis, with his irresistible energy, penchant for the unorthodox and larger-than-life personality, became one of those rare individuals known, respected and loved simply by his nickname, ‘Tom Terrific’. The raw statistics show 239 NSWRL  games, 21 appearances for NSW (including captaining his side for the inaugural State of Origin clash in 1980), and 29 Tests for Australia, a Rothmans Medal, a Dally M, Hall of Fame…

 

Although he wasn’t the most naturally gifted player, Tommy more than compensated with his sheer competitive, combative, courageous approach to the game and his canny sense of what was going on. In boxing terms, he was probably the best pound-for-pound player of his era. He was certainly the gutsiest, a diminutive giant who took on all comers. Tommy had a celebrated career as a coach in his post-playing days with club stints at Brisbane Norths and the Ipswich Jets, where he nurtured a young ‘Alfie’ Langer, as well as a stint as NSW coach in the late 1990s.

 

Rival captains in that first State of Origin match, Tommy and Artie Beetson teamed up later to take on the rugby league speaking circuit. They toured throughout NSW and Queensland, ‘performing’ at venues large and small, on and off the beaten track, with their hilarious (and politically very incorrect) routine. They packed them in wherever they went and the crowds loved them.

 

For me, as a Queenslander, Tommy was anathema for many years, a nemesis on the field, a Cockroach who was easy to detest before they were officially cockroaches! But time mellows us all, thankfully, and you couldn’t help but grow to appreciate and respect the bloke for what he was and what he achieved both on and off the field. You could even argue that, having lived most of his later life in Queensland and having contributed so much to the game up here, Tommy became a honorary Canetoad. But I don’t think Tommy would like that idea because he always said that he hated Queenslanders!

 

Vale Tommy, RIP.

 

To see Tommy’s career statistics click here.

 

To read the NRL’s tribute to Tommy click here.

 

Photos credits: nrl.com, Glen Dwyer, whitsundaytimes.com.au, stuff.co.nz

 

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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About Ian Hauser

A relaxed, Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A loyal Queenslander, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, and has been known to appreciate a glass or three of wine. One of Footy Almanac's online editors who enjoys the occasional editing opportunity to assist aspiring writers.

Comments

  1. Matt O'HANLON says

    Well said Ian- he was a great bloke and I was fortunate enough to play with him when he captain/coached Brisbane Brothers. Over the years we kept in touch through a range of events across the state including selling my school toilet paper! His real skill outside of his tremendous never say die attitude was that no matter who he spoke to he always made that person know he was genuinely interested in them. He was also Australia’s ambassador for the politically incorrect not to grab publicity or insult but because that was the society he was a product of. I am sure he’d be catching up with Artie as we speak!

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