The things that made Lance Thompson unforgettable
LARRIKIN, legend, hard-worker, a consummate rugby league man — Lance Thompson was all of this things and more. David Riccio pens an emotional tribute to the life of “Big Red”.
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LANCE Thompson slid a tray of fresh oysters across the table.
Then came a bowl of salt and pepper squid, followed by a dish of fries, battered prawns and two more trays of oysters kilpatrick.
The redhead with the raspy voice then stood-up, smirked and asked the same question he’d already asked six times during the previous hour.
TRIBUTE: League world says goodbye to Thompson
“It’s my turn to shout, isn’t it — what are ya’s having?”
Thompson, one of rugby league’s great characters and toughest men, was full of life and laughter last Thursday at the Woolooware Golf Club, where the bistro he manages was thriving.
His tragic passing - the exact cause is still unknown - at his Caringbah unit on Thursday night, is now impossible to comprehend.
As news of Thompson’s devastating and heartbreaking passing spread, his coaches, teammates, rivals, friends, family and even sport’s hacks, were reminded of ‘Big Red’s’ huge heart and generosity.
I’d popped in for a beer after work.
‘The Big Marn’ Darryl Brohman was also at the golf club with who Thompson called “a couple of other Sutherland Shire desperates.”
‘Thommo’ was standing at the end of our table, telling the type of stories, that leaves you edging your bar stool closer.
He told the one about that day back in 2005, when legendary swimming trainer Dick Caine handed in his St George life membership to CEO Peter Doust.
“He (Caine) didn’t like the way the Dragons treated me when my contract was terminated there — so he hired two girls in bikinis to hold signs on the Princes Highway that said ‘Oust Doust’,’’ Thommo grinned.
Next was the story, of how on a pre-season bike ride up the winding hills of the National Park in 2006 while at the Sharks, he threw his bike in the bushes.
“The trainer gave me a lift up the hill in the van,’’ he grinned again.
“I got to the top, told Ricky to stick his bike riding up his … I’m a footballer, so I’m quitting.
“The next day, I went and saw Ricky. I apologised, went to the gym and jumped on an exercise bike.’’
Impossible to comprehend, Thompson leaves behind his 17-year-old daughter and five-year-old twins, a son and daughter.
Little, if anything at all, can fill the unimaginable void of their numbing and painful loss.
Yet undoubtedly, Thompson’s impact on their lives will remain with them forever — just as the rugby league community are realising today.
Like Thompson’s stories, his influence stretched far and wide.
From the UK to New Zealand, the tributes flowed.
Sonny Bill Williams, Greg Bird, Ashton Sims, Shaun Timmins, Martin Lang, Willie Mason, Bryson Goodwin, Todd Greenberg, Phil Gould and Joel Caine, all spoke about ‘Thommo — a true friend.’
Close mate and former teammate Adam Peek spoke to The Telegraph from his truck, where on his way to work on the wharves, he’d shed tears as memories of their teenage years together came flooding back.
Former coach Ricky Stuart said simply: “One of the toughest players I ever had the pleasure of coaching. I loved everything about Lance.
“His knee was completely stuffed in the last few games of his career, but he played on because he didn’t want to let anyone down.
“A great man.’’
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan cancelled his weekly press conference, too upset to front the media.
“We spoke regularly and I struggle for the words to explain how incredibly tough and generous a person Lance was,’’ Flanagan said.
The Kingsgrove High local junior, who made his NRL debut at 18 and retired from repeated knee injuries in 2008 after 239 NRL matches for the Dragons and Cronulla, never played for Australia, NSW or won a premiership.
But he changed more lives than some of those who have.
“I looked up to him and he just loved getting the young blokes and taking them under their wing,’’ former Dragons teammates Mark Riddell said.
“He protected me for my four years, because he was such a hard man. The world is a poorer place without him.’’
Former Cronulla teammate Paul Gallen said: “I’m just completely crushed. I can’t overstate how important Lance was to helping guide me through my career.
“In 2010, when I had a chance to go to Manly, he was the one that sat me down and told me to remain a one-club man at Cronulla.
“Don’t waste what you’ve built here, he told me.
“He was always so generous with his time and care for the younger players and what they should do beyond football.’’
In one of his last interviews, Fox Sports commentator and host of “The Fan’, Andrew Voss, recently sat down with Thompson.
Voss asked Thompson what his greatest achievement might be?
“I was always one person who would go out and give my all,’’ a humble Thompson said.
“I loved the fans, I loved my teammates, I could say that I was always respected, which is something that I’m always proud of.’’
Rest in Peace, Thommo.
It’s our shout.
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