Bob Fulton funeral: NRL stars, radio legends farewell rugby league Immortal
Rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton has been farewelled at an emotional State Funeral attended by NRL stars, radio personalities and sporting leaders.
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To so many, rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton is the greatest player they’ve ever seen.
His records, premierships, individual awards and revolutionary impact on the game, both as a player and then coach, may never be surpassed. But in the final two weeks of his life, all Fulton wanted to be remembered as, was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
With cancer crippling his body, the Manly, Eastern Suburbs, NSW and Australian representative, could hardly walk, leaving wife Ann to wheel him back and forth.
On one particular day, not so long ago, Fulton went missing. For a moment, Ann couldn’t find the love of her life for the past 52-years.
After repeatedly calling his name, Ann eventually found her ‘Bozo’ sitting on a rowing machine inside their home gym. Shaking her head, Ann asked, “Robert, what are
you doing?”
Fulton replied: “I’m embarrassed of you pushing me around, I want to be strong for you.’’
This is the side of Fulton – the devoted husband, father and grandfather – that footy fans were told to include in the final chapter of the scrapbook to one of Australian sport’s greatest athletes.
Past and present NRL stars, TV and radio personalities and sporting leaders farewelled Fulton at a State Funeral in Sydney on Friday. Emotional fans wearing Manly jerseys, caps and scarves saluted Fulton’s coffin as it was carried into St Mary’s Cathedral.
One of rugby league’s original four Immortals, Fulton died on May 23, at the age of 74, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
WATCH THE FUNERAL:
Broadcasters –— and close mates –— Ray Hadley, Peter Peters and Alan Jones, rugby league legends Andrew Johns, Bob McCarthy, Steve Mortimer, Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Max Krilich, Cliff Lyons, Steve Menzies, Ian Schubert, Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey were among the gathering.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, and former Manly chief executive Ken Arthurson also attended the service.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro paid his respects, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian unable to attend.
On a Friday morning in the middle of a turbulent NRL season and just five days out from the biggest game of the year, State of Origin, Fulton proved his influence and power on the game one last time, by pulling together every cross-section of rugby league’s fabric from the past 50 years.
In the front row, the shattered Fulton family, including Ann, sons Scott and Brett, daughter Kristie and his eight grandchildren, comforted each other as they began life without
their ‘universe’.
Handwritten letters from Kristie and Fulton’s grandchildren, that told of treasured moments spent fishing, surfing and riding motorbikes together, were laid on his casket along with a Manly cap and a flag featuring the footy legend.
“You were always by my side, from a little girl to now, I could always count on you to be there, encourage me and love me for me,” Kristie wrote.
“A Rugby League Immortal is defined as being the ‘greatest ever’. Dad, you’re an Immortal not just in the sporting world, but in the eyes of your family, your friends and those you supported and inspired for over 50 years.
“Your legacy will proudly live on in all of us and the game of rugby league for generations to come.”
A mate of Fulton’s since they were eight years old, Peters stood with Hadley — who shared the airwaves with Fulton on 2GB’s Continuous Call Team for more than 30-years — to deliver a funny and stirring eulogy about their “brother” who broke records that may never be surpassed.
“It didn’t take long on the radio together for me to realise why he had the nickname “Bozo” – he took the you-know-what out of everyone,’’ Hadley said.
Peters added: “He was a Ten Pound Pom who arrived from England with his family at the age of three. And even back then, you knew he was special.’’
Flags at half mast on The Bridge for State Funeral for Bob Fulton AM at St Mary's Cathedral. Pictures @7NewsSydney helicopter pic.twitter.com/F57nVGdW64
— Jason Morrison (@JasonMorrisonAU) June 4, 2021
Fulton rose to fame in the 1970s at the Manly Sea Eagles, winning premierships in 1972, 1973 and 1976. He made his international debut for Australia in 1968 and played 35 Tests — seven as captain.
He is remembered as a rugby league immortal who inspired fans and players not only through his talent, but through his fitness regime, which fast-tracked the game into the professional era.
Before Brad Fittler’s NSW Origin team and the entire Manly playing squad — from junior under-16s to NRL — formed a joint guard of honour for Fulton’s coffin, Brett told one of the last stories of his father.
It had nothing to do with a particular game, records or trophies — but still, how he wanted to be remembered.
“Mum, Kristie and Ethan were sitting with Dad the day before he died,’’ Brett said. “He woke to a nurse standing beside his bedside and she said: ‘What do you do for a job?’
“And Dad said: ‘My job is to look after my family’.’’
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