By Christian Nicolussi
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has led tributes to legendary commentator David Morrow, who has died aged 71.
Just hours out from the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night, the NRL confirmed Morrow had lost his battle with brain cancer.
“David has been one of the great voices of the game – recognised around the country for his wit, his insight and his knowledge,” V’landys said.
“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.”
There will be a special video tribute before kick-off at Suncorp Stadium, while there will also be a minute’s silence for Morrow.
Just last week it was confirmed Morrow would be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame for his services to the game.
NRL Hall of Fame inductee David Morrow.
Morrow’s good friend and fellow broadcaster Ray Hadley told this masthead on Wednesday: “It’s just great he was still able to understand last Wednesday about the elevation to the NRL Hall of Fame. It meant the world to him. It was very emotional disclosing it to him.
“He was a New South Welshman through and through, but his calls of Origin were always balanced and unbiased.”
Morrow’s career spanned 52 years, including 44 years covering rugby league, eight Olympic Games and six Commonwealth Games.
Morrow, a St George Illawarra supporter, was a radio and television commentator for the ABC from 1980 to 2014, calling Saturday football to a national audience on ABC television until 1996. He joined 2GB’s Continuous Call rugby league commentary team in 2015.
Commentator Mark Levy posted on Instagram: “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 five decades.”
ABC broadcaster Quentin Hull said: “Doesn’t seem real that you are no longer with us. We’ve lost a brilliant human.”
Hadley said on 2GB earlier on Wednesday: “It will be with a sad heart that we will arrive in Brisbane this afternoon and confront State of Origin without a mate with us.
“But we’ll be dedicating the game tonight to his memory, which will live long because of the outstanding work he’s done over half a century. David Morrow’s gone but will never be forgotten.”
Morrow retired in February after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Hadley repeated his belief that Morrow was among the most versatile commentators that Australian broadcasting has ever had.
“I’ve worked with a lot of people over a long period of time in broadcasting,” Hadley said. “I think as I said in the Sydney Morning Herald last Saturday, there’s no more versatile sports commentator than David Morrow.
“Had he been able to go to the Olympics with me next Tuesday, there are 33 sports we participate in, he would have called just about every one of them.
“He was at home calling, of course, the rugby, [he was] an outstanding cricket commentator ... but he could do track and field, he could do swimming, he could do all of the things other people couldn’t do.”
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