NRL mourns the sudden loss of grand final winning player

South Sydney Rabbitohs player Tom Burgess has shared an emotional tribute after the sudden death of his former teammate Kyle Turner.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.

The national rugby league and the South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the loss of a grand final winning player after his sudden death this week.

Kyle Turner has died at age 31 in his home town of Coonabarabran after a stellar NRL career.

The country rugby league player shot to sporting stardom when he played for the Rabbitohs in their 2014 grand final win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Kyle Turner of the Rabbitohs has died this week. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

It was his maiden year in the top grade after playing for years in NRL youth teams, and he went on to play 25 games.

His former teammate Tom Burgess took to social media to pay tribute to the late Rabbitohs player in a touching post.

“Absolutely tragic,” he wrote on Instagram over a photo of himself and Turner in a team huddle.

“(He) will always be a truly loved Rabbitoh and in all our hearts.”

The prop said he was “lost for words” when he found out about the 31-year-old’s death and said the whole rugby league community would support his family and friends through this tough time.

Tom Burgess has shared a touching tribute to his former teammate. Picture: Instagram

Turner was a beloved member of the NRL community.

“RIP Big Dog,” he wrote followed by three kisses.

The Kamilaroi man played his final rugby league game for the Coonabarabran Unicorns in the reserve grade last month.

His longtime local club shared a touching tribute to the late NRL player who had “offered so much” to the club.

“Kyle has a massive legacy in the football community,” the club president said on Saturday.

“A lot of juniors admired him, looked up to him, wanted to be like him.

He was such a role model for, not only them, but us at the club and all of our players.”

Former South Sydney premiership player Kyle Turner in action for the Coonabarabran Unicorns in July. Picture: Facebook

The Unicorns announced they would retire the number 11 jumper he wore while playing for the country team.

“Kyle will be sorely missed and we think of his family today,” the club president said through tears.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs also shared a social media post mourning the loss of the former winner of the Under 20s Player of the Year Award.

“He will be remembered as a gentle giant with an infectious smile and a crowd favourite amongst the Rabbitohs faithful,” the post read.

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this post contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.

The Rabbitohs are mourning the passing of premiership-winning player Kyle Turner.

Tribute: https://t.co/IWzAbdkg1jpic.twitter.com/v3VHnnRKIq

— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) August 19, 2023

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly shared the club’s deepest condolences and reflected on the impact Turner had on the team, both on and off the field.

“Kyle was an amazing human being,” he said.

“He epitomised the country boy Rugby League player. He was such a tough, uncompromising player on the field, yet a lovely, generous man off the field.”

The Rabbitohs will wear black armbands during their game against the Newcastle Knights and Turner’s number 15 jersey will be retired and honoured.

“We will hold him close to our hearts for the rest of this season and in the years to come,” Mr Solly said.

“Vale Kyle Turner.”

He was part of the premiership winning team in 2014. Picture: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

Tributes are flowing for the former NRL star online, with many fans expressing their shock and sadness over the “heartbreaking” news.

“Rest in peace Kyle Turner. So sad to hear he has passed away,” one woman wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“He is a great player and a 2014 premiership winner. I met him at Eastgardens in 2016, thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

NRL fans agree Turner was “taken too soon”, with one social media user remarking that “only the good die young”.

RIP Kyle Turner. 2014 🐰 Premiership winner. what a shock, pic.twitter.com/cEfkNDvzET

— Anthony Basha (@AnthonyBasha) August 19, 2023

Another person said the news of the rugby league star’s death was “terrible”.

“(He) was always one of the nicest and most welcoming guys at Souths, and someone you were genuinely happy to see win a premiership in 2014,” the person said on social media.

“Thinking of all his family and friends, along with everyone at Souths and Coonabarabran.”

Fans remembered Turner in glowing terms, calling him a “genuine bloke”, “a beautiful person” and “a humble guy”.

Turner has been remembered as a gifted player and a wonderful person. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“He was just a genuine bloke you were happy to see doing well,” one emotional fan wrote.

“Horrible, horrible news. RIP legend.”

During his stellar sporting career, Turner represented his rural roots in the NSW Country and also played for the Indigenous All Stars.

He sustained a serious neck injury in a 2015 All Stars match and wore a neck brace from that moment on.

Absolutely gutted and heartbroken to hear the news that Rabbitohs premiership player Kyle Turner has passed away at just 31. Can't imagine what his family is going through right now, my thoughts and best wishes are with them. Gone way too soon. RIP Kyle 💔🙏❤️💚 #Rabbitohs

— Tyler Villagra ❤️🤍 (RIP BLACK MAMBA 26/1/20🙏💔) (@TylerVillagra24) August 19, 2023

The backrower recovered and continued to be a regular player until 2019, when he was cut loose from the Rabbitohs after playing a total of 91 games for the side.

Turner retired at age 27 and moved back to his home town in rural NSW, where he became a teacher and continued to play for the local rugby league team.

He also continued to make appearances for the Rabbitohs Souths Cares program.

Originally published as NRL mourns the sudden loss of grand final winning player