Two Sporting Legends Pass Away | Thebigtip

In less then 24 hours we have lost two of rugby league’s greatest men in Keith Holman and Dick Thornett. Two truly great men decades before their time.

Holman passed away at Sutherland Hospital on Tuesday evening, aged 86.

The legendary half-back played for the Western Suburbs Magpies on 200 occasions and appeared in grand final losses to the St George Dragons in 1958 and 1961. He would later referee the 1971 decider between St George and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Holman is the only man to play in and referee a grand final.

The Ballarat product also represented Australia on 35 occasions between 1950 and 1958 before coaching his beloved Magpies to an Amco Cup victory in 1977. He would then be awarded an MBE later in the year.

Holman was also named half-back in both the Magpies and Wests Tigers “Teams of the Century”.

Wests Tigers chairman Mike Bailey had nothing but admiration for the legend.

“Keith was an inspiration to me, the Magpies Club and the Rugby League Community as a whole.

“I got to know Keith when I was growing up. I lived around the corner from him in Sefton and he was one of nature’s true gentlemen. He’d always offer to give me a lift to school and was just a great all-round guy.

“It was a privilege knowing him. He was a real Rugby League hero who will be sadly missed by everyone.”

Holman’s passing was then followed on Wednesday by the sad news that another Australian sports icon had died.

Dick Thornett died Wednesday morning, aged 71.

Thornett is only one of a few special people to represent their country in three different sports. The Parramatta Eels and Eastern Suburbs Roosters legend played water polo at the 1960 Rome Olympics before switching to rugby union with brother John.

He would then join Parramatta with other brother Ken in 1963 where he would go on to represent New South Wales on 13 occasions and Australia 11 times.

His passing comes only a week before the Thornett’s were to be guests of honour at a tribute dinner at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Dick was also named to the NSW Police Force Team of the Century back in 2008 as well as being honoured with induction into the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame back in 1999.

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr paid tribute to the sporting icon.

"Dick was a masterful sportsman and this was clearly evident in his ability to adapt and excel at any sport that he chose to embrace," Carr said.

"From a sporting family unlike any other, Dick was lucky enough to have played with both of his brothers at the elite level in two different sports and this is something that he was very proud of."