St George Illawarra greats John Raper and Billy Smith growing old together in Sutherland Shire aged-care centre

WHAT’S the Buzz: Two of St George’s greatest, Johnny Raper and Billy Smith, are adored by nursing home staff at aged care centre in the Sutherland Shire.

Johnny 'Chook' Raper with his old teammate Billy Smith. (Kristi Miller)

IT’s now the home of rugby league royalty.

An aged-care centre in the Sutherland Shire houses two of the greatest St George Dragons of all.

You walk through the security gate and to the left is a small self-contained unit that is now the home of the great halfback Billy Smith.

You catch the lift to the first floor, walk down the corridor and see the name on the door … the great Johnny Raper. His room is more like a footy museum than a nursing home.

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Johnny 'Chook' Raper with his old teammate Billy Smith. (Kristi Miller)

Raper and Smith with Graeme Langlands in 1968.

The walls are covered in beautiful old photos, framed jerseys, his old police badge from when he was a senior constable and family memories.

Chook’s loving wife, Caryl, is there tidying his hair for The Sunday Telegraph photo shoot.

It’s been a love affair over six decades.

The rugby league Immortal was playing second grade at Newtown at the time they met back in 1959. She just adores him.

Raper and Smith celebrate after defeating Great Britain on the 1967 Kangaroos Tour.

Billy Smith in action for the Red V. (Action shots.)

This is where the two champions who won four premierships together at St George have been living for the past few months.

Raper is 78. He has severe dementia and is restricted to a wheelchair. It’s a humbling image.

We old-timers remember his indestructible playing days. The greatness and the glory.

Chook is not well enough to be interviewed but Caryl assures us the great man is under wonderful care from nursing staff who love him.

Johnny Raper with his loving wife Carol. (Kristi Miller)

Visitors and other patients all know of Chook’s fame and still want his autograph.

Caryl spends most of her days here. Sons, Aaron and Stuart and all the grandkids are regular visitors.

“Everyone loves him,” Caryl said. “He’s getting great care from the really lovely staff.”

Smith is doing better. He’s 75 and is allowed out each Friday for a few beers at his favourite watering hole, the Caringbah Inn.

He attended the funeral of Changa Langlands on Monday and kicked on back at St George Leagues afterwards at the wake.

Two of our finest league legends. (Kristi Miller)

“It was just like the old days,” Smith said. “We were all behaving like hooligans.”

Smith is the same old larrikin who has lost none of his renowned sense of humour.

When I ask Raper for his age, Smith chimes in: “You’re looking well over 100.”

It’s like the old banter from their playing days. Great players and great characters.

Originally published as St George Illawarra greats John Raper and Billy Smith growing old together in Sutherland Shire aged-care centre