Former league referee Barry 'Grasshopper' Gomersal dies

[Ziggy the God]

Iconic rugby league referee BARRY GOMERSALL has died in the north Queensland town of Sarina at the age of 61.

GOMERSALL refereed nine Origin matches and officiated in six rugby league Tests and the 1985 World Cup.

Known as The Grasshopper, GOMERSALL has succumbed this morning to an aggressive tumour around his thorax, accelerated by a recent livestock accident.

AAP RTV pjo/mo

 

[The Colonel]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21197751-5007200,00.html

 

[Timmah]

Just saw this, sad to hear. RIP Grasshopper.

 

[ocko]

not much of a fan of him, but very sad nonetheless.

condolences to the family and friends.

 

[The Colonel]

Sad news, condolences to the Gomersall family.....

 

[B.A. Baracus]

That's really sad. I read in Rugby League Week or Big League last year he was gravely ill.

RIP you cheating cane toad b#stard (With all due respect - before anyone yells at me for being a turd here!!! He would wear that name proudly as a badge of honour I know! )

 

[Ziggy the God]

Maybe it was because I was a kid back then, but IMHO, League was truely great in that era due to characters such as 'The Grasshopper'.

VALE

 

[steeden.]

RIP Grasshopper. you'll be missed.

 

[madunit]

Barry Gomersall has lost his long running battle with cancer today.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21197751-5007200,00.html

 

[Raider_69]

RIP Grasshoppper
a great and iconic charactor of the game we love.

 

[nqboy]

Fondly remembered, sadly missed.

 

[choc_soldier]

May have been hated by many south of the border, but definitely a great character all the same.

RIP.

 

[Phil McGrawhan]

As much a part of early origin folklore as the big name players.

R.I.P Barry.

 

[Bomber]

RIP Grasshopper

 

[langpark]

very sad news, poor bloke, rest in peace.

 

[QldPanther]

I agree with all what they have to say. He in a way moulded the rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland to create the State Of Origin as we see it today. He was reported to have battled well after some medical treatment in Perth so this has come as a bit of a shock. Condolenses to the Gomersall family.

 

[Canard]

Interesting to note that NSW's referee of the same era Kevin Roberts had a 5 NSW wins to 1 Qld win record, but never copped any sh*t in the media like Barry did. (Whose record was 7 QLD wins to 2 NSW wins.)

You never hear a whisper about Roberts these days.

RIP Barry.

 

[Charlie124]

The Grasshopper is just blowing time-on in a big game in the sky right now.

True QLD legend.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

sad loss for RL, RIP Grasshopper.

 

[OVP]

RIP Mr Gommersall. ALL of NSW accused you of being a CHEAT. But im glad you WERE that in the end, so it extended your life to such a great extent.

I know you suffered greatly, but ALL Rugby League fan will ALWAYS thank you for being the one who made Origin in its early days, just so great.

Thanks mate, now go get some rest ok