In a glittering ceremony in front of almost 500 guests at The Star Event Centre, Mortimer and Raudonikis were revealed as the latest Hall of Famers after the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues team for Game One of the Holden State of Origin series was officially presented.
“It gives me great pleasure that Steve Mortimer and Tommy Raudonikis have been added to the NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame,” NSWRL Chairman, Dr George Peponis, OAM, said.
“I played against Tommy Raudonikis and he was one of the toughest ever halfbacks to lace on a boot.
“I also played alongside Steve Mortimer and have many happy memories of our time together.
“Both players epitomise the qualities, values and characteristics of NSW players and they are worthy inductees to the NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame.”
Mortimer, whose nickname of ‘Turvey’ hails from Turvey Park, Wagga, where he grew up playing Rugby League, is responsible for one of the most iconic images in NSW’s Origin history after captaining his state to their first series victory in 1985.
Raudonikis, who also played his junior football at Wagga and was given the nickname of ‘Tom Terrific’, had the distinction of playing halfback in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980.
Raudonikis was unable to attend the induction ceremony after battling ongoing health issues and the NSWRL’s thoughts are with him.
Blues legends now in Star Hall of Fame
☐ Legendary Steve Mortimer in his heyday.
TWO of the Blues best, Steve Mortimer and Tommy Raudonikis have been unveiled as the latest inductees to the NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame during the annual True Blues dinner on Monday.