Rugby league commentator David Morrow has died at the age of 71. He passed away after a battle with brain cancer just days after being named as an inductee into the NRL‘s Hall of Fame.
Morrow spent 50 years commentating, with much of his career being spent with television channel ABC, calling rugby league to a national audience in Australia. He spent the latter years of his career working with Australian radio station 2GB.
He was widely regarded as one of the voices of rugby league and one of the best commentators of his time in the country. As such, his death is being mourned by the rugby league community Down Under, with 2GB colleague Ray Hadley breaking the news.
“It will be with a sad heart that we will arrive in Brisbane this afternoon and confront State of Origin without a mate with us,” Hadley said on 2GB.
“But we’ll be dedicating the game tonight to his memory, which will live long because of the outstanding work he’s done over half a century. David Morrow’s gone but he will never be forgotten.”
David Morrow tributes
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said: “David has been one of the great voices of the game – recognised around the country for his wit, his insight and his knowledge.
“I had the pleasure of knowing David throughout my career in sport and he was a champion in every sense of the word. I have been honoured and privileged to know him as a friend.
“In his final days, David knew how cherished he was in the rugby league community, having been informed of his induction into the Hall of Fame.
“While it is terrible that we have lost David, it is comforting to know that he and his family were aware of what the game felt about his achievements.
“On behalf of the Commission, I extend our sincerest condolences to David’s family, and all those who worked with him and knew him.”
Morrow had been due to attend a Hall of Fame ceremony next month at the Sydney Cricket Ground to be formally inducted.
