Blues hero Tommy Raudonikis will not get state funeral, sparking Western Sydney fury

He’s a State of Origin legend but he won’t be getting a state funeral. HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think Tommy Raudonikis should receive an official NSW farewell?

Political and business leaders across Western Sydney are calling for rugby league legend and “man of the people” Tommy Raudonikis to be given a state funeral.

The former NSW, Western Suburbs and Newtown Jets star died on Wednesday aged 70 following his a long battle with cancer.

His death has prompted calls for a state funeral akin to fashion icon Carla Zampatti, who died just four days earlier after falling at a waterfront opera performance.

League legend Tommy Raudonikis in action for Wests against the Roosters.

And enjoying a cigarette while coaching his beloved NSW Blues in 1997.

But a spokesman for the Department of Premier and Cabinet said they were “unable to recommend” a state funeral despite Raudonikis’ “many achievements and contribution to NSW as a member of the rugby league community”.

It is understood the department took Zampatti’s Order of Australia medal and long record as a leader in the fashion field into account when considering her state funeral.

Wests Ashfield CEO Simon Cook said: “Look at the fallout of this week — the tributes show he was a man of the people, and the people want to be able to play a part (in farewelling him).

In the Inner West, where Raudonikis built his legend as a gutsy halfback and coach of the Western Suburbs and Newtown Jets clubs, Mayor Darcy Byrne said “working class heroes deserve honour and respect too”.

Raudonikis with partner Trish Brown in 2018. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I think it shows a real tin ear from the government not to allow for a proper, public celebration of the life of Tommy Raudonikis,” he said.

Chris Brown, of political think-tank the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, said: “Tommy worked his guts out for NSW and it’s about time we returned the favour. As a kid growing up in Western Sydney in the 70s, there wasn’t a tougher or better role model to teach you how hard you had to fight to make it in this town.”

Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks walks out the number seven jersey as a tribute to the late Tommy Raudonikis before the NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

More support came from Parramatta Eels hard man Ray Price, who played alongside Raudonikis in NSW and Australian teams throughout the 1970s and 80s.

“I think that is disgusting,” he said of the door slamming shut on a state funeral.

“He had more heart, and would never give up, than half of these bloody politicians.”

The Wests Tigers NRL club retired the number seven jersey across four grades on Sunday in tribute to the firebrand half.