NRL world remembers commentary legend David Morrow as brutal Ashley Klein detail comes to light
Morrow is being remembered as 'the benchmark for broadcasters' after his death at 71.
David Morrow has been remembered as providing "the soundtrack of a generation" and being the "benchmark for broadcasters" at a humorous and moving farewell in Sydney on Thursday. Morrow, nicked "Thirsty" due to his love of a beer, died on July 17 following a battle with brain cancer. He was 71.
Mourners, who included Shane Flanagan, Andrew Johns, Paul Gallen, Warren Ryan, Darryl Brohman and Josh Morris, were greeted by AC/DC's Long Way to the Top as they filed into St Brigid's Church, Coogee. They were told to "do your seatbelts up" by priest, Father Peter Clifford, as the eulogies began.
With Morrow's coffin covered with items from his many sporting loves - an Olympic flag, Australian Turf Club slash, Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club and 2GB caps, St George Dragons bomber jacket and scarf, Arsenal FC scarf, his Order of Australian Medal and binoculars – the congregation heard from daughter Lucy, 2GB colleague Mark Levy and Channel Nine commentator Mathew Thompson. "When it comes to sport, I don’t think I've met anything more knowledgeable than David Morrow," Levy said.
"He couldn't remember what his bridal waltz was but could remember Kepler Wessels scored a century on debut for Australia on the same day." Levy also recalled Morrow's disdain for certain sporting figures. "David had a list of people and things he wasn't really a fan of," Levy continued.
"And top of the list was the "bloody" red jumpers the Dragons used to wear. He told (Dragons coach) Shane Flanagan 'you're not going to win football games in them'. He called the Bunker the 'corridor of uncertainty' and thought referee Ashley Klein should have retired 10 years ago.
"Champion jockey Damien Oliver – not a fan (of his). Wicket-keeper Matthew Wade – (Morrow said) 'can’t catch'." Levy concluded: "David was a New South Wales country boy who moved to the big smoke to realise his dream as a sports commentator. He ended up travelling the world and provided the soundtrack of a generation."
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David Morrow described as 'the benchmark for broadcasting'
Thompson, who formed a special bond with Morrow through their mutual love of cricket, called his friend "the benchmark for broadcasting". He said: "You leave the biggest of holes. Days at the footy won’t be the same again."
Morrow spent 50 years calling a range of sports and major events, including rugby league, cricket and the Olympics. He spent most of his career at the ABC, moving to 2GB in 2015 and enjoying great popularity and success as a member of the Continuous Call Team.
He received an OAM for services to sport, sports broadcasting and the community in 2005. Morrow announced his retirement earlier this year after news of his illness went public.
