Steve Mortimer and Tommy Raudonikis inducted into NSWRL Hall of fame
One was the first captain to lift the State of Origin shield for the Blues. The other was the toughest NSW halfback ever. Now Steve Mortimer and Tommy Raudonikis have been recognised for the contribution to the game.
One was the first — and possibly toughest — NSW halfback.
The other was the first captain to lift the State of Origin shield for the Blues.
Both Blues legends, Steve Mortimer and Tommy Raudonikis have been inducted into the NSWRL Hall of fame.
In a glittering ceremony in front of almost 500 guests at The Star Event Centre on Monday night, Mortimer and Raudonikis were showered with deserved recognition for their unwavering contribution of not only NSW — but the ongoing success of the State of Origin concept.
“It gives me great pleasure that Steve Mortimer and Tommy Raudonikis have been added to the NSWRL Hall of Fame,” NSWRL Chairman, Dr George Peponis, OAM, said.
“I played against Tommy Raudonikis and he was one of the toughest ever halfbacks to lace on a boot.
“I also played alongside Steve Mortimer and have many happy memories of our time together.
“Both players epitomise the qualities, values and characteristics of NSW players and they are worthy inductees to the NSWRL Hall of Fame.”
Mortimer, whose nickname of ‘Turvey’ hails from Turvey Park, Wagga, where he grew up playing Rugby League, is responsible for one of the most iconic images in NSW’s Origin history after captaining his state to their first series victory in 1985 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The image is now the main floor to ceiling photo which is draped at the entrance of the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park.
Raudonikis, who also played his junior football at Wagga and was given the nickname of ‘Tom Terrific’, had the distinction of playing halfback in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980.
In total, he played 24 matches for NSW.
He also coached the Blues to a 2-1 series win over Queensland in 1997 where, he challenged his players to fight fire with fire against Queensland, with the now famous “Cattledog” call to arms.
The 69-year-old was unable to attend the induction ceremony after battling ongoing health issues.
The NSWRL Hall of Fame inductees includes the seven Immortals who have represented NSW and 11 other players who represented their state with distinction.
STEVE MORTIMER
Born: July 15, 1956, Yagoona, NSW
Junior Football: Turvey Park, Wagga
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Position: Halfback
Premiership Career 1976-88: Played 272, 79 tries, 5 field goals, 270 points
First Grade Debut: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Balmain Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, 21/3/1976 (Rd 1)
Australia: 8 Tests
NSW: 7 interstate matches (1977-81), 1 match vs touring international teams (1979), 9 State of Origins (1982-85)
Captaincy: 3 games (1984-85), 3 wins
Other information: Top 100 Players of the Century 2007
TOMMY RAUDONIKIS
Born: April 13, 1950, Bathurst NSW
Junior football: Cowra/RAAF Wagga
Clubs: Western Suburbs Magpies, Newtown Jets
Position: Halfback
Premiership career: Played 239, 34 tries, 102 points (Wests 202 games, 30 tries, 90 points; Newtown 37 games, 4 tries, 12 points
First grade debut: Wests vs St George at Lidcombe Oval, 19/7/1969 (Rd 17)
Australia: 29 Tests (1972-80)
NSW: 21 interstate matches (1971-80), 2 matches vs touring international teams (1974-77), 1 State of Origin (1980)
Captaincy: 9 games (1972-80), 6 wins, 1 loss, 2 draws
Other information: Top 100 Players of the Century 2007
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