Legendary former broadcaster David Morrow’s greatest moment relived, as friends and colleagues mourn his passing

Hall of Fame broadcaster David Morrow whose career spanned eight Olympic Games, six Commonwealth Games and countless rugby league games has died aged 71. And there is one piece of commentary that will forever live on.

Mal Meninga's 1990 Ashes try.

THIS was Thirsty’s greatest moment, a memorable call of an historic moment forever etched into rugby league folklore.

David Morrow’s defining broadcast of Mal Meninga’s legendary try on the 1990 Kangaroo tour has been acclaimed and celebrated for the past 35 years.

And Morrow would be asked to relive and duplicate the call by using an empty schooner glass as a microphone when having a beer with a player immortalised in the try, Australian halfback Ricky Stuart.

With Australia and Great Britain locked 10-all inside the final few minutes at Manchester’s Old Trafford, Morrow rose to new heights in excitement and patriotism as Stuart dummied through the defence before sending a steamrolling Meninga over for a match-winning, length-of-the-field try.

Meninga’s try and Morrow’s call on Channel Ten were of equal exhilaration. With the series having been levelled, Australia clinched the decider 14-0 at Leeds a fortnight later.

The commentary that night from Morrow, nicknamed ‘Thirsty’ through his love of a beer, gave Aussie fans who stayed up through the night to watch goosebumps.

Who will ever forget it?

Rugby league is in mourning. Days after being inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.

We lose one of our greatest commentators in the game’s history - David Morrow.

In tribute - here is one of the greatest calls in the sport’s history for one of the greatest test tries EVER. pic.twitter.com/CbbDDo3W7w

— The League Scene (@LeagueScenePod) July 17, 2024

“There’s almost no time left in the match, we’re well into injury-time, 40 seconds in fact, it comes away to Stuart, Stuart throws the dummy, Ricky Stuart is out on his own, he’s up to the halfway, he’s waiting for (Andrew) Ettingshausen, back it goes to Meninga, Meninga scores, oh what a try, what a try, what a run from Stuart, Meninga scores one of the most famous tries in Test match football.”

An emotional Stuart said on Wednesday: “Every time I’d run into ‘Thirsty’ I would buy him a beer and also bring an empty schooner, which he would use as a microphone. He would replay the exact commentary of Mal’s try and it would bring the pub to a standstill.

“Then they would all cheer him. It is the most beautiful memory I have of ‘Thirsty’. He was a tremendous guy. I only texted him last weekend. He sent back a thumbs-up. He brought so many smiles to the faces of so many.”

Morrow, the esteemed Australian sport broadcaster, died on Wednesday aged 71 after a long battle with brain cancer.

Legendary sports broadcaster David Morrow (rear left) pictured with Darryl Brohman, Mark Riddell and Mark Levy. Picture: Mark Levy/X

He stepped away from his commentary work in February this year after doctors revealed his cancer diagnosis. Just last week, it was announced Morrow would be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame. He was told of his accolade while in hospital.

Morrow, who started his career at Kempsey in 1971, was often called the most versatile sports broadcaster in Australia. He had a long association with the ABC before joining 2GB’s Continuous Call team in 2015.

“I’ve worked with a lot of people over a long time in broadcasting. There’s no more versatile person than David Morrow. He will be sadly missed by everyone,” said colleague Ray Hadley.

“It will be with a sad heart that we confront State of Origin without our mate,” Hadley said. “We will be dedicating the game tonight in his memory.

Morrow started his broadcasting career 52 years ago. He covered eight Olympic Games and six Commonwealth Games but rugby league was his great love, along with the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The voice of Sydney racing, on-track caller Darren Flindell, posted: “Such a sad day for sport and broadcasting losing a magnificent man and caller. I would sneakily listen to David’s calls on ABC TV at Harold Park trots as a 15-year-old under the guise of doing homework in my room.

Such a sad day for sport and broadcasting losing a magnificent man and caller. I would sneakily listen to David’s calls on ABC TV at Harold Park trots as a 15yo under the guise of doing homework in my room. I’ve had the pleasure of quenching a thirst with him in recent years and… https://t.co/qTvrOgGqGQ

— Darren Flindell (@hkdarren) July 17, 2024

“I’ve had the pleasure of quenching a thirst with him in recent years and (am) grateful to have the memories of chatting with one of the great minds in the profession.”

Morrow was awarded an OAM in 2005 for services to the community, sport and sports broadcasting.

He is a media Hall of Fame inductee at the Sydney Cricket Ground alongside some of the biggest names in the Australian sporting media.

A mate, a mentor, a super bloke.

I am absolutely devastated to lose someone who has become like a father figure to me.

Davey, thank you for everything you’ve taught me and thank you for the excitement you’ve given listeners over the last 5 decades.

RIP David ‘Thirsty’ Morrow. pic.twitter.com/5G3CaiAFt6

— Mark Levy (@marklevy2gb) July 17, 2024

He became a legendary media figure throughout his vibrant commentary, primarily in rugby league, racing and cricket. He covered the NRL for 44 years and began his radio and television career at the ABC in 1980.

2GB colleague Darryl Brohman posted: “What a sad day for Australia, possibly our greatest ever sports broadcaster has passed away.”

What a sad day for Australia…..Possibly our greatest ever Sports Broadcaster has passed away! The great David Morrow. An honour to work with him and have him as my mate. RIP Davo. To Kris Emily and Lucy my condolences.

— Darryl Brohman OAM (@therealbigmarn) July 17, 2024

Sydney’s race caller during the 1990s, Morrow was awarded an OAM in 2005 for services to the community, sport and sports broadcasting and was inducted into the Sydney Cricket Ground Media Hall of Honour in 2023.

His career has spanned 52 years, including 44 years of covering rugby league. He covered his first Olympics in 1984 and initial Commonwealth Games two years later.

Channel 9 NRL commentator Mathew Thompson posted: “The world has lost a loving, caring, loyal and brilliant man. An irreplaceable hole. A man close to my heart.

“I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore. You’ll never be forgotten mate. Heaven has just welcomed one heck of a broadcaster.”

David Morrow OAM. The world has lost a loving, caring, loyal and brilliant man. An irreplaceable hole. A man close to my heart. I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore. You’ll never be forgotten mate. Heaven has just welcomed one heck of a broadcaster. 💔 #RIP

— Mathew Thompson (@MathewJThompson) July 17, 2024

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys added: “David has been one of the great voices of the game - recognised around the country for his wit, insight and knowledge. I had the pleasure of knowing David throughout my career in sport and he was a champion in every sense of the word. I have been honoured and privileged to know him as a friend.

Watch the emotional moment the Sports Minister @stevekamper told David Morrow he had been inducted into the @scg Media Hall of Fame!

Well deserved for one of Australia's greatest broadcasters - a true legend who we're proud to call our own. pic.twitter.com/Y6PVHeoS55

— The Continuous Call Team (@ContinuousCall) July 10, 2023

“In his final days, David knew how cherished he was in the rugby league community, having been informed of his induction into the Hall of Fame.

“While it is terrible that we have lost David, it is comforting to know that he and his family were aware what the game felt about his achievements.”

“David’s life and contribution will be celebrated on August 21 at the Hall of Fame dinner. On behalf of the Commission, I extend our sincerest condolences to David’s family, and all those who worked with him and knew him.”

Morrow is survived by wife Kristine and daughters Emily and Lucy.

Originally published as Legendary former broadcaster David Morrow’s greatest moment relived, as friends and colleagues mourn his passing