'Very sad': Rugby league rocked by tragic death of premiership hero
The rugby league community is mourning the tragic death of Roosters premiership player Harry Cameron.
A member of the legendary Eastern Suburbs team of the 1970s, Cameron died on Sunday after a battle with dementia.
He was 73.
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Cameron played 55 matches for Easts between 1971 and 1974, playing in the club's first grand final in twelve years against Manly in 1972.
The Queenslander then helped Eastern Suburbs win the premiership in 1974, coming off the bench in a 19-4 grand final win over Canterbury.
He played alongside some of the legends of the game in Arthur Beetson, John Brass, Ron Coote and Kevin Junee.
Rugby league in mourning over Harry Cameron's death
"The Sydney Roosters are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Premiership-winning player Harry Cameron," the club said in a statement.
"The Sydney Roosters extend their heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Harry Cameron at this time."
The hard-running centre also played five games for Queensland before the State of Origin concept existed.
The news comes as another devastating blow for the Roosters club, with Cameron the third member of the legendary 1970s team to die in the past 18 months.
Mark Harris died in January of 2020, while Barry βBunnyβ Reilly died in May this year.
"Very sad," tweeted former Wallabies player Peter FitzSimons.
"Yet another old League player gone - also from dementia, aged just 73.
"This really is turning into an epidemic of this insidious disease among old league players."
Very sad - be interesting to see what a brain analysis would show. How are your old Union team mates going Peter? Union back in your era was rough as guts... Also, thoughts on Warren Smith's piece on DHP's decision to keep playing Rugby despite multiple concussions?
β Xander R - TVT (@xander_tvt) June 21, 2021
You have to wonder about the impact of concussions in the 70s. Players were said to be "groggy". Head high tackles were frequent. They would usually draw a penalty. It wasn't till the 80s they started regularly sending players off for them.
β Scott Elaurant (@ElaurantScott) June 21, 2021
Very sad to see the loss of life and also think about their impaired quality of life
β ππ§Anj of Garigal (@garigalAnj) June 21, 2021
Vale Harry Cameron. https://t.co/964RDwcefc https://t.co/0K223ZFZ4H
β retro_footy_cards (@ScanlensFooty) June 21, 2021
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