Tommy

There have been few more tenacious players in the game of rugby league than Tom Raudonikis. An inspirational captain who often took on players twice his size, his whole-hearted attitude on the playing field earned him the name ' Tom Terrific' in the 1970s. Tommy played 201 games for the Magpies during the decade, as well as winning the Rothman's Medal for Best and Fairest Player of the 1972 season. Raudonikis went on to play 29 Tests, including 9 World Cup appearance, during his international career, but his efforts for the New South Wales Blues and at club level were equally inspirational. Extremely competitive, both on and off the field, Raudonikis regularly delivered the goods when called upon to produce that something extra . In 1995, Raudonikis returned to Sydney as coach of the Magpies after a long career in Brisbane. In only his second year as coach of the club, Tommy led Wests back into the play-offs in the 20-team ARL competition. The following year he coached the NSW Blues to State of Origin success. Controversial, both on and off the field, there was only one Tommy Raudonikis.