Family and friends bid farewell to Graeme Langlands at rugby league Immortal’s funeral

WE thought we knew the real Graeme Langlands on a rugby league field. But it was the stories told by family and closest friends that explained the true character of “Chang”.

Graeme Langlands is carried to his rest. Picture: Brett Costello

WE thought we knew the real Graeme Langlands. Some of us, we were lucky enough to witness his God-given talent on a rugby league field.

But as hundreds gathered at Woronora Crematorium to farewell of one of the game’s Eight Immortals, it was personal stories told by family and closest friends that helped explain the complexities and true character of this legend they simply called “Chang”.

When former St George teammate Steve Edge got up to speak Edge started off by explaining why an old footballer was wearing a suit and tie in 30-plus temperatures.

Graeme Langlands is carried to his rest. Picture: Brett Costello

“Because I knew that would give Chang the shits,” Edge joked.

“I’m now about to tell you how good Chang really was that will really give him the shits.

“I must say, one thing that Chang was exceptionally good at was getting the shits.

“As a matter of fact I think he was world champion.”

It brought roars of laughter.

Then there were tears.

His great mate Ray Carney told us about a wonderfully gifted athlete who struggled with stardom.

His daughter Monique spoke beautifully, also painting a picture of a man often misunderstood.

Chang, even his closest allies will admit, was an acquired taste.

“Cranky, impatient,” Monique said.

“Irritable … but genuine and courageous, with a hand shake that was never broken.”

Carol Raper, wife of Johnny Raper during the funeral. Picture: Brett Costello

Langlands passed away last week in a Sutherland Shire nursing home at age 76 after a long battle with dementia.

They say old men don’t like turning up at the funerals of other old men but there they were in their droves.

Great names that many of today’s generation might struggle to recognise.

George Piggins, Bob McCarthy, Harry Wells, Barry Rushworth, Bruce Pollard, Keith Barnes, the Wynn brothers Graeme and Peter, Rod “Rocket” Reddy, Steve “Turvey” Mortimer.

Everywhere you looked.

The current St George Illawarra team gathered alongside coach Paul McGregor.

Mortimer recalled watching Langlands in 1975 from his home town in Wagga.

“That was the year before colour TV,” Mortimer said.

“The next year I was down there playing against him.

“I’ll never forget.

“After they beat us one day, I wasn’t in tears but Chang came up to me and said, ‘don’t worry about that, mate. You’ll be having some good times ahead’.”

St George Dragons players pay their respects. Picture: Brett Costello

And he got that right because Langlands knew too well from experience all the fun that could be had during and after the game.

Carol Raper, the wife of fellow Immortal Johnny who couldn’t be in attendance because of his own health battles, spoke on behalf of her husband.

The stories of these two swinging from the chandeliers are legendary.

“When he first came to St George he was a very shy young man,” Mrs Raper said.

“Johnny took him under his wing.

“I don’t know if that was a very good idea.”

But together they gave themselves and their fans so many memories.

Johnny Lewis, the legendary boxing trainer, was as close to Chang over the past two decades as anyone.

Lewis told the gathering how most mornings they would get together for coffee and Langlands could always find a reason to complain.

Mostly because his coffee wasn’t hot enough.

“We’d only last about two months in the one cafe and then we’d have to move on to the next,” Lewis said.

But Lewis choked up as he explained how he loved those catch ups and wished that Chang was around for one tomorrow morning.

“I couldn’t believe one so great could be so humble,” Lewis added.

Bob McCarthy says goodbye. Picture: Brett Costello

Born in 1941, we learned how Langlands perfected his famous sidestep that struck opponents like a lightning bolt off either foot while weaving around telegraph poles growing up in Wollongong.

From there he went on to play 228 games for the Dragons during the 1960s and ‘70s winning four premierships, and remarkably still holds the club’s pointscoring record.

Langlands played 36 games for NSW, 45 for Australia, the last Kangaroo to captain-coach his country.

“I love Billy Slater,” Lewis whispered in private.

“But as a fullback Billy was a distant second to Chang.”

Langlands passed away unaware of an ugly cloud hanging over his legacy following the police investigation into allegations of indecent dealing with a girl under 16 dating back to the early 1980s on the Gold Coast.

But those who loved him spoke with warmth and pride.

George Piggins was another to say farewell. Picture: Brett Costello

As a father, Monique said, it was difficult for Langlands to sometimes express his real self in public.

“It was only ever on show when his environment was familiar, safe and secure,” Monique said.

“And only then were we privileged to witness his true self and wicked sense of humour.

“He never understood that his humbleness set him aside from others … but he was truly respected and admired for it.

“So I end my moment with something so simple.

“Your mind has wandered, your body has tired.

“Your love has been given, your life has been shared.

“You have and are still loved by many.

“Your fight has been worthy.

“The whistle may have blown but your soul and spirit is forever with us.

“Rest easy now, Daddy.

“”You deserve the peace.”

Originally published as Family and friends bid farewell to Graeme Langlands at rugby league Immortal’s funeral