Blues legend Tommy Raudonikis declares he will never give in as cancer battle continues

AFTER all but beating his second bout of cancer, the irrepressible Tommy Raudonikis has declared he will never give in to the dreadful disease.

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After all but beating his second bout of cancer, the irrepressible Tommy Raudonikis has declared he will never give in to the dreadful disease.

“You’ve just to keep going, mate. I don’t complain,” Raudonikis said.

Raudonikis, 68, has used the tenacity and courage that served him so well during his 14-year NRL career with Wests and Newtown to get him through seven weeks of chemotherapy.

Although successful, Raudonikis said there was “still a bit of cancer there”.

Raudonikis, who helped create the famous Cattle Dog the Blues used in Origin, will continue to monitor the neck cancer which floored him this year.

“Tommy has beaten the cancer but we keep an eye on it every three months,” said his partner, Trish Brown.

Raudonikis has battled cancer for several years.

“There are after-affects there from the chemo and radiation. They were heavy doses.”

Raudonikis had previously contracted testicular cancer, which followed open-heart surgery.

“He won’t lie down,” former Western Suburbs teammate Ray Brown said.

Another former Magpies teammate, Les Boyd, added: “He is a tough little bastard.”

Raudonikis, his voice harsh and raspy from radiation, continues to be positive and hopeful.

“We’re on top,” Raudonikis said. “Things are pretty good.

“There are still hurdles to jump over as we go along.

“It’s just a bit of, how do you put it, it’s a slow process.

“There’s still a bit of cancer there. What they’re saying is that it should go away with all the chemicals in my body.

“I do feel better. I try to do a little bit every day. It’s just a matter of taking my time.

“I try to go for a swim every day. I can’t swim very f---ing far, but.

“You have to keep moving, very much so.

The former Blues captain and coach is one of rugby league’s great characters.

“Life is very good, actually. No problem.

“Times have been tough but my family has been good, everything has been good. People have been terrific.

“The rugby league community have been terrific, absolutely great.”

Raudonikis is remaining vigilant in his cancer fight.

“I’m finished (with the chemotherapy), I’ve finished all my treatments,” he said.

“I just go back to my doctors and physio and get everything done.”

Raudonikis owns a special place in rugby league’s heart.

“You saw Tommy play, he’s never going to give up,” Brown said.

“He was the toughest player I have seen in my life, pound for pound.

“He’s up for it. He has beaten cancer before, that’s the type of bloke he is.

Raudonikis has just completed seven weeks of chemotherapy. Photo by Lachie Millard.

“You know as well as I do that he will never throw the towel in. He never threw it in when on a football field and won’t do it now.”

Boyd was also adamant Raudonikis would continue to win the fight.

“When it came back I said to him: ‘Tommy, if anyone is tough enough to beat this, it’s you’,” Boyd said.

“He is a fighter, a tough boy. He has proven time and again that he has overcome adversity as far as cancer is concerned.

“You know what Tommy is like, he’s a winner. I’ve always said.

“He wasn’t the most skilful player I ever played with but he was the most determined and passionate.”

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