Watch Anthony Mundine’s emotional tribute to friend Lance Thompson

AN emotional Anthony Mundine has spoken of the genuineness of Lance Thompson following the shock death of his former class and teammate.

AN emotional Anthony Mundine has spoken of the genuineness of Lance Thompson following the shock death of his former class and teammate.

The relationship between Mundine and Thompson stretches back 25 years when the pair first crossed paths as fresh-faced teens at Kingsgrove High School.

LEGEND: Tributes flow for Thompson

They would join together to win the Buckley Shield for the school in 1993 before going on to play in two grand finals for St George.

Thompson even dipped his toe in boxing, fighting twice as part of Mundine’s undercard.

Mundine was rocked by the news of Thompson’s death at 40.

Thompson and Mundine played together for years.

“I was gobsmacked,” Mundine said.” I didn’t want to believe it. I was in denial. When I first heard the news I had to ask three or four times if it was legit.

“I’m still trying to come to terms with it now. I’m coming to terms with it for his family.

“I’m devastated. I can’t imagine how his family and kids will feel.”

Thompson was a childhood star, a St George junior for Hurstville United, he made his top grade debut at just 17 while still at school. He played 238 games for the Dragons before playing 38 for Cronulla from 2006-2008.

“He was a character,” Mundine said. “We used to gee each other up and have a laugh. I got him on this sitcom called Martin. Martin Lawrence plays this character called Jerome — a bit of a hustler. He would rock up to training and talk like Jerome. Right up until a couple of weeks ago we used the Jerome voice.

Mundine and Thompson were mates for over 25 years.

“On the field he was a competitor. He did all the hard, dog stuff that no-one wanted to do. The defence, the scrambling, coming for the hit-ups. He was someone you wanted on your team and very competitive. He was a winner.”

The pair had a frank conversation when Thompson wanted to follow Mundine into boxing. Thompson had two wins from his three fights which happened as part of his pre-season training.

“I told him it wasn’t easy and it was hard work,” Mundine said. “He wanted to do it.

“We’d check up each other once a month or two months if it was going too long. He called me two weeks ago asked how I’ve been going. Hopefully we catch up soon.

Thompson was a Dragons legend. Picture by Gareth Morgan.

“I’m kicking myself now. I should’ve reached out to him. Sometimes you get caught up and you get busy but when things hit you like this you think how busy were you?”

Mundine will be at Kogarah Oval on Sunday when the Dragons pay tribute to one of their favourite sons.

“There will be a lot of emotion for me,” Mundine said. “I was somebody that was in the lion’s den with him. I played with him. Beyond that I knew he would have my back if I ever needed it.”

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