Wests Tigers retire Tommy Raudonikis’ jersey; Jets target record crowd at Henson Park

As the Newtown Jets prepare a fitting Henson Park farewell party for the great Tommy Raudonikis, Wests Tigers have revealed their own special tribute.

Tommy Raudonikis and Ken Wilson celebrate a finals win at the SCG in 1981.

Wests Tigers will retire the number seven jersey across all four grades on Sunday in a tribute to footy legend Tommy Raudonikis.

In a wonderful tribute, the Tigers have also decided that the halfback from the club’s women’s, SG Ball, NSW Cup and NRL team will lead their team out onto Leichhardt Oval.

Emily Curtain (Tigers Harvey Norman women’s premiership), Cade Hill (SG Ball), Jock Madden (NSW Cup) and Luke Brooks (NRL) will run on to the field carrying a number seven jersey - the jumper that Raudounikis wore with pride for Western Suburbs - which they will then place across a seat positioned on the sideline.

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Wests Tigers will retire the No.7 jersey across four grades.

The Wests Tigers are leaving no stone unturned to honour Raudonikis, who passed away on Wednesday morning, including the decision to wear their Magpies home jersey for the clash against the Cowboys.

Tigers fans will be encouraged to stand and observe a minute of applause at the seventh minute mark of the match.

A covid-19 capacity crowd is expected at Leichhardt Oval with the Tigers players also wearing black armbands.

PODCAST: Buzz, Mick and Mobbsy pay tribute to the late, great Tommy Raudonikis, celebrate Jake Friend’s career, try to fix the Bulldogs and Buzz vows to critique Mick’s radio credentials ... and of course, towards the end of this episode, everyone’s favourite segment - thursday night food orders.

HENSON PARK FAREWELL TO REMEMBER

Few things in rugby league are bigger than the size of Tommy Raudonikis’ heart.

But typical of his former club and the game’s favourite battlers, the Newtown Jets, are about to give it a crack.

In a fitting tribute to their much-loved halfback, the Jets are preparing for their biggest crowd since the 1980s with the club planning ‘Thanks Tommy’’ Day at their home ground, Henson Park.

The Jets first competition game at Henson Park in nearly two years — against Newcastle on Saturday, April 17 — was always going to be big.

But within hours of learning of the death of Raudonikis on Wednesday morning, devoted and passionate Jets administration began focusing on how best to pay tribute to a man they claim whose loss is as devastating as the day the ‘Blue Bags’ were cut from the first grade competition in 1982.

Tommy Raudonikis taught the Newtown Jets how to win.

A minute’s silence will be observed in all matches in round five while the Wests Tigers will revert to their “Magpies” black and white playing strip at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday — a tribute to Raudonikis, who began his career with Western Suburbs.

Jets players will also wear black armbands against North Sydney on Sunday in the NSW Cup fixture before returning home in nine days for an afternoon of high emotion, memories and celebration.

“As a club, Tommy means everything to us and we will make sure every rugby league fan gets the chance to pay tribute to one of the greatest men this club has ever known,” Newtown director and benefactor Terry Rowney said.

“Henson Park’s capacity is 20,000 and what people don’t realise is, it’s 50 per cent bigger than Leichhardt Oval.

“We want to sellout Henson Park to ‘Thank Tommy’ for what he did for this club and our game. We (Newtown) didn’t know how to win when he arrived (in 1980) — he taught us how to never give up.

Tommy Raudonikis and Ken Wilson celebrate finals win with the Jets in 1981.

“How such a little man could have such a dramatic impact on so many people is what no one will ever understand.

“He helped people, he didn’t even know he understood he helped.

“It’s such a devastating day. I would say it’s as significant and as sad as the day we were cut from the comp. It’s a bit like your parents, you think they’ll always be there.”

Unable to play any matches last year at their famous field due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jets will host their first home game at Henson Park since August 31, 2019 against the Knights.

The Newtown Jets are hoping a record crowd will turn out for ‘Tommy Day’ at Henson Park on April 17. Picture: AAP Images/Jordan Shields

The Jets have a proud history at every home game of announcing the same crowd figure of 8972 — the official attendance of their last official game in the NSW Rugby League Premiership.

The club’s annual “Craft Beer, Food Footy Festival’’ attracted 13,000 fans in 2016 — their biggest crowd since the 1980s.

“Given the impact Tommy had on not only the Jets, but rugby league in general, I would like to think we’ll get a bigger than ever crowd that want to pay tribute to a rugby league legend,’’ Rowney said. “Tommy never did things by halves, so we won’t be either.”

Tickets are available on the Newtown Jets website.

https://newtownjets.iwannaticket.com.au/event/r6-newtown-jets-vs-newcastle-MjQ2NDE

Originally published as Wests Tigers retire Tommy Raudonikis’ jersey; Jets target record crowd at Henson Park