Devastating reason Canberra Raiders drummer Simon Tayoun won’t be at the Bulldogs rematch

Raiders drummer Simon Tayoun had his NRL side’s clash against the Bulldogs marked in the calendar since last year’s saga in Belmore, but an unexpected health scare after Vegas means he’ll miss the rematch.

Canberra Raiders’ drummer Simon Tayoun was told he was lucky to be alive after successfully undergoing quintuple bypass surgery after the club’s win in Las Vegas.

The Raiders fan opened up on the minor pain he felt before he left for the United States to help lead the Viking Clap against the Warriors.

He didn’t think much of it at the time, only to hear some unwanted news upon his return.

“Then when they sent me to the hospital they found one main artery around the heart was blocked 98 per cent, and they found another three 80 per cent blocked,” Tayoun said.

“I didn’t feel barely anything, wasn’t sore, wasn’t sick, nothing.

“But I’m lucky nothing happened to me overseas in Vegas and it happened here. The doctors said they didn’t know how I was still standing and I was lucky I didn’t die.”

After returning from Vegas, Simon Tayoun found out he required an emergency quintuple bypass surgery. Picture: Supplied.

Tayoun had already bought tickets for all of his team’s away games this season.

But he could only sit and watch their round 3 clash against Manly from the hospital bed as he prepared for the open heart operation.

Despite his fears, Tayoun was treated by a rugby-league obsessed surgeon. His reputation as the Raiders’ drummer had gone before him.

“He followed South Sydney and knew who I was before the operation,” he said.

“He said not to worry and that when he was done with me and fully recovered I wouldn’t bang just one drum, I’d bang two.”

The drummer said he isn’t quite at that point yet as he continues recovering at home.

Tayoun hasn't attended a game since round 2 but was cheering his side from the hospital bed and now at home. Picture: Supplied

It’s been a different and at times frustrating view from his home compared to his usual spot near the sidelines, and he remains unsure when he’ll be back and fit.

A diehard member since 1987, Tayoun has missed few games – home or away – over the decades and is particularly disappointed to miss his side’s top-of-the-table clash against Canterbury given the drama which unfolded in Belmore last season.

Tayoun, whose wife and son are Bulldogs supporters, found himself surrounded and jeered by opposition fans on the streets of Belmore last year following his side’s loss as some tried to lift him from behind.

But there’s no love lost.

Peter V'landys banging Tayoun’s drum in Las Vegas. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“A lot of Bulldogs supporters have been so good to me,” he said.

“I have a lot of messages of support from them so I would’ve loved to be there this weekend to see them, I’m going to miss it.

“I can’t wait to go again to Belmore honestly. I hope they (Canberra) play in Belmore next year so I can go.”

Tayoun, a Bankstown local, even celebrated his 60th birthday last week at Canterbury Leagues club with friends and family in a quiet dinner while on the road to recovery.

The Raiders have supported their famous supporter throughout his ordeal.

After a successful open heart operation, iconic Raiders drummer Tayoun celebrated his 60th birthday while recovering. Picture: Supplied

“We know how passionate he is about the Raiders and it’d be really hurting him at the moment not being able to come to the games,” a Raiders spokesperson said.

“But we also have told him his health comes first and when he’s ready to come back to the games we’ll definitely be welcoming him with open arms.

“The players and staff will all be happy to see him back and a lot of the kids who enjoy going up to him and getting photos.”

The avid traveller even said he had one of his best reasons yet to cheer as he watched the Perth Bears announcement – another city to add to his season.

“I’m looking forward to another trip. Even Papua New Guinea I can’t wait. I won’t miss it, I’m telling you,” he said.

“And now with my condition, in a couple months I’ll feel much better and looking forward to getting back to things.”

Originally published as Devastating reason Canberra Raiders drummer Simon Tayoun won’t be at the Bulldogs rematch