True Blues Steve Mortimer and Tommy Raudonikis have been unveiled as the latest inductees to the NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame during the annual True Blues dinner on Monday 27 May.
In a glittering ceremony in front of almost 500 guests at The Star Event Centre, Mortimer and Raudonikis were revealed as the latest Hall of Famers after the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues team for Game One of the Holden State of Origin series was officially presented.
“It gives me great pleasure that Steve Mortimer and Tommy Raudonikis have been added to the NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame,” NSWRL Chairman, Dr George Peponis, OAM, said.
“I played against Tommy Raudonikis and he was one of the toughest ever halfbacks to lace on a boot.
“I also played alongside Steve Mortimer and have many happy memories of our time together.
“Both players epitomise the qualities, values and characteristics of NSW players and they are worthy inductees to the NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame.”
Mortimer, whose nickname of ‘Turvey’ hails from Turvey Park, Wagga, where he grew up playing Rugby League, is responsible for one of the most iconic images in NSW’s Origin history after captaining his state to their first series victory in 1985.
Raudonikis, who also played his junior football at Wagga and was given the nickname of ‘Tom Terrific’, had the distinction of playing halfback in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980.
Raudonikis was unable to attend the induction ceremony after battling ongoing health issues and the NSWRL's thoughts are with him. Former coach and respected journalist Roy Masters accepted the award on his behalf and revealed Raudonikis' condition has improved.
The NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame inductees includes the seven Immortals who have represented NSW and 11 other players who represented their state with distinction.
The qualification for the NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame is:
a) The player must have played 10 games or more for NSW; or, alternatively, the player must have captained NSW; AND
b) The player must have also played for Australia: AND
c) The player must also have been retired for at least five seasons.
Steve Mortimer
Born: July 15, 1956, Yagoona, NSW
Junior Football: Turvey Park, Wagga
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Position: Halfback
Premiership Career 1976-88: Played 272, 79 tries, 5 field goals, 270 points
First Grade Debut: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Balmain Tigers at Leichhardt Oval, 21/3/1976 (Rd 1)
Australia: 8 Tests
NSW: 7 interstate matches (1977-81), 1 match vs touring international teams(1979), 9 State of Origins (1982-85)
Captaincy: 3 games (1984-85), 3 wins
Other information: Top 100 Players of the Century 2007
Tommy Raudonikis
Born: April 13, 1950, Bathurst NSW
Junior football: Cowra/RAAF Wagga
Clubs: Western Suburbs Magpies, Newtown Jets
Position: Halfback
Premiership career: Played 239, 34 tries, 102 points (Wests 202 games, 30 tries, 90 points; Newtown 37 games, 4 tries, 12 points
First grade debut: Wests vs St George at Lidcombe Oval, 19/7/1969 (Rd 17)
Australia: 29 Tests (1972-80)
NSW: 21 interstate matches (1971-80), 2 matches vs touring international teams (1974-77), 1 State of Origin (1980)
Captaincy: 9 games (1972-80), 6 wins, 1 loss, 2 draws
Other information: Top 100 Players of the Century 2007
