NRL great Lance Thompson dead
news.com.au
an hour ago
FORMER St George Illawarra and Cronulla player Lance Thompson has died.
Multiple media outlets say the 40-year-old was found by his 17-year-old daughter at a unit on The Kingsway, Cronulla, about 9pm on Thursday.
Police say the death was not suspicious and may have been due to a “medical incident” rather than self harm. A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Latest word is that Lance Thompson's death may have been a 'medical incident'... not The Black Dog. Police still investigating. Either way, a tragedy.
— The Mole (@9_Moley)
August 23, 2018
Lance Thompson update: Police saying no evidence of self harm more likely his shock death is a medical episode. Very sad.
@tendailyau @TenNewsSydney
— Steve Hart (@SteveHartTen)
August 23, 2018
Tributes have begun pouring in on social media for the former second rower, who played 239 games across 14 seasons in the NRL.
Subscribe to news.com.au’s From The Newsroom podcast through iTunes
Thompson made his first grade debut for the Dragons as a 17-year-old in 1995 and played with the club through its merger and grand final defeat against Melbourne Storm in 1999.
He moved to Cronulla in 2006, playing 38 games for the Sharks before retiring in 2008.
In shock and very sad to hear lance Thompson passing away. Lucky to play against him in my debut and meet him in the shire. Champion bloke who will be missed
— Joseph Paulo (@sefapaulo)
August 23, 2018
Shattered to hear about Lance Thompson. A great bloke who helped me learn alot! Gone way to soon. RIP Thommo
— Bryson Goodwin (@Bryson_Goodwin)
August 23, 2018
A very sad day for Rugby League with the passing of NRL star Lance Thompson; a much-loved member of the rugby league community. Condolences to his family
#nrl @NRL_Dragons
— Peter Beattie (@SmartState1)
August 23, 2018
Very sad to hear the passing of Lance Thompson overnight, one of my childhood favourites and a local hero who I looked up to and was lucky enough to get to know over the years, champion bloke and player. Rest In Peace Mate!
pic.twitter.com/0K5yWQK3g7
— Keith Galloway (@kgalloway85)
August 23, 2018
Former NRL player turned media personality Darryl Brohman was one of many to express his shock on social media, saying he had a beer with Thompson just last week.
Commentator Andrew Voss said he was “absolutely numb” at the news. Voss had Thompson on his TV show
The Fan this year where the pair reflected on the former Dragon and Shark’s playing days and also on his journey in life after football.
Terribly sad news of Lance Thompson’s passing. Had a beer with him last Thursday. My god! RIP Thommo. Thoughts with his family and friends
— Darryl Brohman (@therealbigmarn)
August 23, 2018
I am absolutely numb at the news of Lance Thompson passing away.If you watched Lance on The Fan this year,you would appreciate what a genuine & hard working man he was. Shattered for his family.He proved you dont need to have won GF's or played for your country to be a champion.
— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy)
August 23, 2018
I sincerely hope Lance knew how many rugby league fans admired and respected him for what he achieved on and off the field in his career. So sad that this love could not sustain him. My heart breaks for his family. Rest in Peace.
#LanceThompson pic.twitter.com/aQP9bWamJZ
— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy)
August 23, 2018
Thompson wasn’t afraid of doing the dirty work.
Thompson was one of the most respected players in the game and was unlucky to never pull on a sky blue or Australian jersey. The hard-nosed back rower was known for doing the tough stuff on the field — taking care of the little things that might not make the highlights reel but were just as important to helping the team.
The uncompromising tackling machine represented the City Origin side five times and in his first clash for Cronulla against his former side in 2006, scored two tries.
In 2007 he suffered a season-ending knee injury and not long after was diagnosed with type one diabetes. In 2008 his troublesome knee forced him into retirement.
“Retiring will give me a chance to deal with both my knee and my injuries,” Thompson said in April that year. “It will also help me deal with my diabetes.”
After announcing his retirement, then-Sharks coach Ricky Stuart paid tribute to one of the toughest men to play the game.
“I have played with and against plenty of tough players, but none have been tougher than Lance Thompson,” Stuart said in 2008.
Thompson waved goodbye to a legion of adoring fans when he quit rugby league.
If you or someone you know is in need of crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...d/news-story/9e293fc01f7b7656e14c60737a49278f
