Kyle Turner's tragic death at 31 leaves NRL world shattered: 'Horrible news'
The 31-year-old was part of the Rabbitohs' 2014 premiership winning team.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.
The NRL world has been rocked after the news South Sydney premiership-winner Kyle Turner has died at 31. Turner, who played for the Rabbitohs between 2014 and 2019, won the premiership with South Sydney in 2014 amid his rookie season.
Turner made 91 first-grade appearances for the Rabbitohs and was a part of the side's drought-breaking 2014 grand final victory. He represented NSW Country in the last City vs Country fixture in 2017 and twice played for the Indigenous All Stars in 2015 and 2017.
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The club released a statement after the news to express their shock. Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly added Turner would always hold a special place in history at the club.
“Kyle was an amazing human being,” Solly said. “He epitomised the country boy Rugby League player. He was such a tough, uncompromising player on the field, yet a lovely, generous man off the field.
“We offer our full support to his family and friends at this very difficult time, and he will always be remembered at our Club as a man that delivered a premiership to the Rabbitohs, but also a man that connected deeply with his communities. We will hold him close to our hearts for the rest of this season and in the years to come. Vale Kyle Turner.”
Kyle Turner's first-grade career
Injury hampered Turner's time in first-grade. He notably suffered a serious neck injury in the 2015 All Stars match that forced him to undergo disc replacement surgery.
But Turner remained a fan favourite at Redfern, receiving the Burrow Supporters Group Appreciation Award at the club's awards night in 2016. In 2019 he fell out of favour under the Rabbitohs' new coach Wayne Bennett, who told him to look elsewhere for opportunities from 2020.
He returned to his hometown of Coonabarabran in northern NSW, where he played for locals the Coonabarabran Unicorns and became a schoolteacher. The Unicorns will wear black armbands this weekend in tribute to Turner.
The NRL community reacted to the tragic news on Saturday. His cause of death is unknown.
Bloody hell the Kyle Turner news is terrible. Was always one of the nicest and most welcoming guys at Souths, and someone you were genuinely happy to see win a premiership in 2014.
Thinking of all his family and friends, along with everyone at Souths and Coonabarabran.— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) August 19, 2023
Kyle Turner was one of my good mates from childhood. I wrote many yarns for the local paper, played countless games with him and shared a ton of great memories. My fondest being an embrace along the fence after the 2014 GF. Heartbreaking. A Unicorn forever pic.twitter.com/Yp2CV2DkNZ
— Harry Ramage (@harryramage) August 19, 2023
Rest in peace Kyle Turner so sad to hear he has passed away. He is a great player and a 2014 premiership winner I met him at Eastgardens in 2016, thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. 💚❤️💚❤️😢😢 pic.twitter.com/fmbel5Vo0R
— Deon Tsang❤️💚 (@deon_tsang12) August 19, 2023
Devastating news to hear about the passing of former Rabbitoh Kyle Turner. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Family and Friends through this difficult time. R.I.P Big Dog ❤️💚 #oncearabbitohalwaysarabbitoh @SSFCRABBITOHS @chapsandbrowny pic.twitter.com/JV2foUq5qK
— Grant Chaps Chappell (@Chapbra) August 19, 2023
Heartbreaking news about Kyle Turner. Devastating for his friends and family but also the club and supporters. Always a harrowing wake up call about perspective when it comes to rugby league. It truly is just a game at the end of the day. Far more important matters out there.
— V (@TicsVitsJacThic) August 19, 2023
@MartyKapow and I are so deeply sad for Kyle, his family and community
Our hearts are broken - what a genuine kind beautiful soul he was 💔❤️
Sending all who are affected by this tragic loss so much love x— Michelle Taupau (@MichelleTaupau) August 19, 2023
with AAP
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