Rugby league Immortal Johnny Raper has died at the age of 82.
The St George legend had been battling dementia.
Dragons chairman and former captain Craig Young revealed the news to The Sydney Morning Herald and had towering plaudits for the icon.
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“We thought he was bulletproof,” Young said.
“He was a character on and off the field – and one of the reasons why the club became the worldwide brand that it has.”
The phenomenal lock played in eight consecutive grand final wins from 1959 and made 39 appearances for Australia, including eight as captain.
He also twice won NSWRL player of the year.
Raper’s death follows that of another St George great, former skipper Norm Provan in October.
“Today we have lost one of our all-time greats,” said ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.
“An Immortal, a Kangaroos captain and an eight-time premiership-winning player. Johnny was the best of the best.
“Johnny was a football genius. He had a gut instinct for rugby league like few we have seen. He wasn’t the biggest player on the field, but he was the smartest. Johnny’s feats with the Dragons will remain part of rugby league legend forever.
“On behalf of the game, I send my deepest condolences to Johnny’s family, friends and teammates.”
Balmain royalty Garry Jack is among the many individuals and NRL clubs to have honoured Raper following his death.
https://twitter.com/jimmyjack244/status/1491208276947914752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/cokeefe9/status/1491200324639416329https://twitter.com/Gatty54/status/1491209022745477122https://twitter.com/9_Moley/status/1491206392686182401https://twitter.com/nthqldcowboys/status/1491214351667462145
The club will pay tribute to the revered duo when the Dragons meet the Panthers at Kogarah Oval on March 18.
MORE TO COME.
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