Thread: Vale Tommy Raudonikis.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

A hard man on the field, a passionate man always. Constantly a thorn in the Queensland State of Origin side.

Tommy Raudonikis - Wikipedia

He actually wasn't the best footballer on the paddock, but he inspired belief in the teams he played for. Who can forget the " cattledog" ? Certainly not Joey Johns. He got knocked out, and never forgave Tommy, who was coaching then. NSW lost that game. There are many stories about Tommy, not many fit to publish. A real larrikin, but he had a good heart. He and Arthur Henry Beetson were the best of mates, and when Beetson coached a pub side at Redcliffe, Tommy often came down to lend support.[ whom am I trying to kid. get on the grog, more like it]Tommy hated Smoking Joe Kilroy, but that's a story that cant be told here. Smokin' Joe was often at the Brighton Juniors, and if the cockatoos rang in to say Tommy was on the way, Joe was ushered out the door, diplomatically, of course. Memories.

In 2013 Tommy's 15 year old grandson died while playing a game of Rugby League. He didn't really get over that. EDIT [ just had a look at the date. ( 9 April 2013. I wouldn't put it past Tommy to be trying to last until the 9th April.]

Raudonikis family devastated by grandson's football death - ABC News

There are excellent sentiments expressed by Tommy in that article Bob.

My daughters had/ have some full on sports , and I just think like Tommy, mind you I wouldn’t want either of them to be chaperoned by big Artie or Tommy even in heaven!

dave

Originally Posted by Hogarthde

There are excellent sentiments expressed by Tommy in that article Bob.

My daughters had/ have some full on sports , and I just think like Tommy, mind you I wouldn’t want either of them to be chaperoned by big Artie or Tommy even in heaven!

dave

Tommy was not a role model, in any sense of the word. Except on the footy field.