A Sea of Fans Gathered for the Unveiling of Tommy Raudonikis OAM Plaque in Honour of Rugby League Icon

A sea of fans donned in black and white gathered at Lidcombe Oval for the official unveiling of the Tommy Raudonikis OAM Plaque, in honour of the late Australian rugby league icon. Council in conjunction with the Western Suburbs Magpies Rugby League Football Club unveiled the plaque which pays tribute to the life and sporting career of footballer and coach, Tommy Raudonikis.

Mayor Lisa Lake said the plaque serves as a lasting tribute to Tommy Raudonikis’ exceptional contributions to the sport as a player, coach, and larger than life personality.

“Tommy was part of our community’s fabric. His debut season with the Western Suburbs Magpies was at none other than our very own Lidcombe Oval in 1969,” said Mayor Lake.

“Tommy will forever hold a special place in the hearts of our community and will be remembered for his toughness, tenacity, leadership, and unwavering commitment which continues to inspire many today. This plaque is a symbol of our deep appreciation and respect for his commitment to sport and to the community.”

The plaque complements the Tommy Raudonikis OAM Grandstand which opened in 2src22, in memory of his dedication and commitment to football and contribution to the Lidcombe community.

Tommy Raudonikis, who passed away on 7 April 2src21, left an incredible mark on the rugby league community. He began his debut season with the Western Suburbs Magpies in 1969, was club captain from 1971, and played over 2srcsrc games between 1969 and 1979. Lidcombe Oval will always be associated with the Western Suburbs Magpies. It became the Club’s home ground when the Magpies played in the NSWRL competition between 1967 and 1986.

When coaching the NSW Origin Team in 1997, Tommy instilled his ‘never say die spirit’ and implemented the ‘Cattle Dog’ call, which was a secret code word that instructed his team on the field to play with great intensity. Tommy Raudonikis is a member