Anthony Breeze
THE rugby league world was sent into mourning on Wednesday morning when news came through that Tommy Raudonikis had lost his battle to cancer.
Tommy was tough, a larrikin and wasn't afraid to say what he thought on any rugby league matter that was in the headlines.
Raudonikis had a wonderful playing career including 239 games (202 Wests, 37 Newtown), representing his country on 29 occasions and his state NSW 21 times.
Tommy was awarded the Rothmans Medal as best player in the NSWRL competition in 1972 and was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2008 and NSWRL Hall of Fame in 2019.
He also had a great coaching career, guiding his beloved Magpies for 115 games and his state in two Origin series, winning in 1997.