League Immortal and Dragons legend John Raper battling dementia

GRAEME Langlands lost his battle with dementia less than a week ago and now it has been revealed that fellow league Immortal John Raper is fighting the same illness.

Legend John Raper waves to fans at revamped Kogarah Oval.

RUGBY league ‘Immortal’ John Raper is reportedly suffering dementia.

The 78-year-old St George legend has been receiving care for the condition in a Sydney nursing home for the past three months, according to Fairfax Media.

Regarded as the greatest lock forward to have played the game, Raper was an inaugural ‘Immortal’ inductee in 1981, alongside Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton and Reg Gasnier.

He spent 10 years at the Dragons from 1959, winning eight-straight first-grade premierships and playing 39 times for Australia.

Fellow ‘Immortal’ Graeme Langlands died last week after several years battling Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.

Legend John Raper waves to fans at revamped at Kogarah Oval.

Originally published as League Immortal and Dragons legend John Raper battling dementia