Legacy lives on: Referee Wyatt Raymond’s NRL debut honours mentor Sam O’Brien’s memory

The NRL’s newest referee will honour the late mentor who predicted he would go all the way in rugby league, before his tragic passing at 25, during his debut on Friday.

Rookie NRL referee Wyatt Raymond and (inset) his mentor Sam O'Brien, who died in 2017. Pictures: NRL Imagery and News Regional Media

Wyatt Raymond’s father was moved to tears by the news of his son’s debut as an NRL referee but also by the knowledge that the man who inspired his journey would not be there to witness it.

Former Townsville referees mentor Sam O’Brien always believed Raymond would one day make it to rugby league’s brightest stage.

On Friday night O’Brien’s prediction will come true when the North Queensland product takes up the whistle for the first time to officiate the Storm against the Bulldogs.

Raymond’s closest supporters will fly to Melbourne to be there for the 27-year-old’s big day but O’Brien, who backed Raymond to become Townsville’s second ever NRL referee while he was still a teenager, died by suicide in 2017 at the age of 25.

When Raymond called his parents with news of his long-awaited debut his father Paul celebrated with his son, before making a call of his own - to the parents of the young man whose unwavering support of his boy ignited the spark that has led him to AAMI Park.

Wyatt Raymond will make his NRL debut in the middle in Round 6, 2024. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Sam was a junior co-ordinator and a massive influence of Wyatt, and Wyatt on him,” Paul Raymond recalled through tears on the eve of his son’s debut.

“He took his life several years ago. It brings it home.

The late Sam O'Brien was Townsville junior referee’s coordinator when Raymond was rising through the ranks. Picture: Justin Brierty

“I reached out to his mum and dad when we got the news and said that hopefully Sam would be looking down on him.

“He had always said, even back then, he would get to the NRL. Sam reckoned Wyatt had it in him and he has.”

O’Brien never got to see his protégé develop into one of rugby league’s rising star officials.

Raymond served a three year apprenticeship as a full-time touch judge before earning his shot in the middle but had already experienced some of the game’s biggest occasions.

He was appointed to a sideline of the Rugby League World Cup men’s semi-final and women’s grand final in 2022.

He was one of seven selected to officiate the NRL’s Las Vegas debut in February.

The North Queenslander told this masthead in February that he had hoped to touch judge a State of Origin match and a finals series as he patiently waited for his shot in the middle.

That chance has arrived sooner than he could have imagined.

“We’re absolutely stoked for him. It’s been a long time coming,” his proud dad said.

“We’ve seen him work so hard. Being chairman of the referees for a couple of years I’ve watched him grow through the junior and senior ranks.

Referee Chris Kendall (C) and touch judges Wyatt Raymond (L) and Warren Turley (R) prior to the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final between Australia and Lebanon. Picture: Getty Images for RLWC

“It’s pretty legendary. I had leaking eyeballs a couple of times yesterday.

“To be one of eight people in Australia refereeing NRL this weekend is pretty incredible.”

Former Townsville referee’s boss Tom Dungavell was the the first to urge Raymond to pick up the whistle in 2012.

“To have Wyatt out there in the middle is a massive achievement for him, and the Association and the town couldn’t be more proud of him,” Dungavell said.

Wyatt Raymond, then 21, signals a try in 2016.

“To have that opportunity available for him is phenomenal. It shows it doesn’t matter where you grow up, if you work hard and do the right thing the rewards are there and that’s what he deserves.

“I believe he’s pretty excited but I think once that first tackle is completed he won’t be thinking about it being his debut.”

Dungavell said Raymond had trained five days a week, in the gym and in fitness training, for as long as he could remember.

“For North Queensland to have Gavin Morris (146 games, 2009-2015) come through, and now Wyatt as well, is just phenomenal given how far away we are from Sydney,” Dungavell said.

“Everyone knows Townsville is rugby league heartland but this shows it’s not just for the players but the referees as well.”

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, call: Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au; or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

Originally published as Legacy lives on: Referee Wyatt Raymond’s NRL debut honours mentor Sam O’Brien’s memory