Rugby league community gathers for funeral of legendary broadcaster David Morrow

The rugby league community has gathered to farewell legendary Australian sports broadcaster David ‘Thirsty’ Morrow - hear from Mark Levy.

Rugby league royalty has today farewelled legendary Australian sports broadcaster, David ‘Thirsty’ Morrow, who was described as having “the greatest all-round sports broadcasting career in Australian history.”

A giant of Australia’s radio and television, Morrow’s emotional funeral was held inside St Brigid’s Catholic Parish, Coogee, on Thursday morning.

Among the rugby league mourners were former premiership-winning coach Warren Ryan, who worked with Morrow on the ABC, Shane Flanagan, Laurie Daley, Andrew Johns, Paul Gallen, Paul Dunn, Ricky Walford, Mark Riddell, Darryl Brohman and Josh Morris.

Rugby union’s Gordon Bray and cricket’s Jim Maxwell and Geoff Lawson were other mourners.

A family man with a remarkable recall for sporting moments and history, Morrow, 71, died on July 16 after a long battle with brain cancer.

Vale David Morrow.

The funeral of David Morrow was held at St Brigid's Church in Coogee. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Mourners entered the church to AC/DC’s Long Way To The Top with Morrow’s wake held inside the SCG Members’ Pavilion.

“David, you leave the biggest of holes that can’t be filled, I miss you already, I wish this was different, my days at the footy will never be the same again, I love you and may you rest in peace,” friend and Channel 9 NRL commentator Mat Thompson said in a touching eulogy.

“How does one do justice to what is probably the greatest all-round sports broadcasting career in Australian history.”

Morrow loved a schooner of Reschs beer, hence his nickname of ‘Thirsty’. He was inaugural Patron of the Reschs Appreciation Society Facebook page, which has 16,000 members. Each member is given a badge number – Morrow’s was 873 in honour of his employer, 2GB 873.

Socially, he was often spotted at Coogee Legions, Easts Rugby club, Randwick Rugby Club or Barracks on Barracks. He also enjoyed a nice red wine.

Paul Gallen, Andrew Johns and Josh Morris arriving at the funeral. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Laurie Daley (top centre) was among the mourners at the funeral service for David Morrow. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Morrow started his broadcasting career 52 years ago and covered eight Olympic Games and six Commonwealth Games but rugby league and cricket were his two great sporting loves, especially the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Mourners were asked to wear a touch of red and white. Morrow’s coffin carried multiple treasured, personal effects including a Dragons jacket, five-ring Olympic flag and his ever-reliable binoculars.

Morrow is survived by wife Kristine and daughters Emily and Lucy.

“While dad may have been one of the greatest broadcasters this country will ever see, he was an even better father. I’d never seen true love like my mother caring for my father in the last six months,” said Lucy.

“Dad brought us up to be all the things I admired in him – to be hard-working, honest, have integrity, be graceful, value intelligence and academia but most of all to love each other.”

In lieu of flowers, mourners were asked to donate in Morrow’s memory to the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Family and friends gathered in Sydney’s east to farewell legendary NRL broadcaster David “Thirsty” Morrow.

One of Morrows’ greatest broadcasting moments was his famous call of Mal Meninga’s legendary try on the 1990 Kangaroo tour.

“He was so knowledgeable,” said close friend and fellow Eastern Suburbs-Waverley cricket club life member Bob Wilson. “’Thirsty’ had an unbelievable memory on every sport.

“You could be talking at lunch and he would recall a moment from a rugby union Test, Kangaroo tour or Olympics from 30 years ago. And he was always great entertainment, great company. He loved every sport. It’s so sad.”

Morrow stepped away from his commentary work in February this year after doctors revealed his cancer diagnosis. In early July, it was announced that Morrow would be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.

He started his career at Kempsey in 1971 and has been dubbed the most versatile sports broadcaster in Australia. He had a long association with the ABC before joining 2GB’s Continuous Call team in 2015.

Many mates claim Morrow treated first grade players with the same respect and manners as lower graders.