War hero offers emotional advice to Dragons players ahead of Anzac Day clash
AFGHANISTAN War veteran Damien Thomlinson has put aside fierce loyalty for the Sydney Roosters to give a stirring speech to St George Illawarra players on the eve of the Anzac Day clash.
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AFGHANISTAN War veteran Damien Thomlinson has put aside fierce loyalty for the Sydney Roosters to give a stirring motivational speech to St George Illawarra players on the eve of the Anzac Day clash.
Thomlinson, who lost both his legs in battle, gave a similarly inspiring talk to Roosters players before their Anzac Day clash in 2014.
This time, though, he did it for Ian Turner, a fanatical Dragons supporter who once saved Thomlinson’s life. Turner has since passed away.
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“I’m here in honour of Ian Turner,” Thomlinson told Dragons players at WIN Stadium ahead of this afternoon’s Anzac Day game against the Roosters.
“He was a really good friend of mine and a diehard Dragons fan.
“I wanted the team to know that when they pull that uniform on for Anzac Day, the difference they have made to his family’s lives after we lost him. It’s immeasurable.”
While on night patrol in Afghanistan in 2009 with the 2nd Commando Regiment,
Thomlinson’s unit drove over an improvised Taliban bomb and he suffered horrendous injuries which resulted in his legs being amputated.
His medical team said it was a miracle Thomlinson wasn’t killed and there were often times they didn’t think he would survive.
Thomlinson now stands on legs of carbon fibre and is an aspiring Paralympian.
“Keep fighting, keep pushing forward,” Thomlinson told the players.
“It’s toughness, not fitness, that means you’re not giving up.”
Thomlinson was inspired by the military history of his grandfather and joined the Australian Defence Force.
At 24, he achieved his dream of joining the Commandos, an elite group which is often behind enemy lines enduring the most physically demanding and mentally challenging operations.
“Toughness, not fitness, was something I had to grasp while I was slowly recovering,” Thomlinson said.
“Toughness, not fitness, basically means you’re not giving up.
“Everyone is great when the ball is bouncing your way. When it’s not, that’s when the duress comes in. That’s when you start to struggle.
“That’s also when you find out how good a value you are to a team — when you can keep your hands up to your chest, keep fighting and keep pushing forward.
“That’s when the toughness comes through — when times are going against you.
“You get that drive ... finding that drive, reaching deep down inside yourself and pushing forward.
“Sport is very similar in a lot of ways to what we used to do. Ninety-nine per cent is done above your shoulders.”
Dragons coach Paul McGregor said playing on Anzac Day was a “privilege”.
”Outside semi-final football, this is one of the most talked-about games of the year,” McGregor said.
“The players look to honour those that have fallen and those that are serving.
“There is a little bit more purpose around your preparation in acknowledgment of Anzac Day.”
Dragons winger Jason Nightingale will play his 11th Anzac Day game before an expected crowd of more than 40,000.
“It’s always been a big occasion and this season will be no different,” Nightingale said.
“From the moment you walk out of the sheds, the emotion of the day overcomes you and that’s certainly reflected on the field in terms of toughness, physicality and the will to win on such a special day.”
The Dragons have won 10 of the 16 Anzac Day games against the Sydney Roosters, who won a thrilling golden-point match 13-12 last season.