EX-NRL star found dead by daughter
The NRL is in mourning following the death of former St George Illawarra and Cronulla player Lance Thompson.
The 40-year-old was found dead at an apartment on The Kingsway, Cronulla, about 9pm on Thursday, reportedly by his teenage daughter.
His death is not being treated as suspicious and there was no evidence of self harm, police say.
Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter Beattie has led tributes for Thompson, saying his death was a loss to the sport.
‘‘A very sad day for rugby league with the passing of NRL star Lance Thompson,’’ Beattie tweeted.
‘‘A much-loved member of the rugby league community. Condolences to his family.’’
Thompson will be remembered at the Dragons’ final game at Kogarah for the season against Canterbury tomorrow.
The City Origin representative played alongside current coach Paul Mcgregor at the merged club from 1999 to 2001.
‘‘Lance was a colourful, earnest rugby league character and a loyal friend of many at the Dragons,’’ Dragons chief executive Peter Doust said. ‘‘We are all are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of his passing and our thoughts are with his family.’’
His loss has been felt heavily at the Sharks, who had remained close to the back-rower in recent years.
Coach Shane Flanagan was an assistant coach at the club for Thompson’s final two years in the NRL, while Paul Gallen was captain and Jayson Bukuya was a youngster in the squad.
Manly coach Trent Barrett, Newcastle coach Nathan Brown and NRL referee Henry Perenara are among others to have played alongside him.
Perenara is listed to officiate the Dragons’ game against the Bulldogs tomorrow.
Other former team-mates also took to social media to pay tribute.
‘‘Total loss for words. Lance was one of the toughest forwards I’ve played with and looked after all of us young guys coming through the [Dragons],’’ Ashton Sims posted on Twitter.
Thompson played 239 first grade games with the Dragons (201 matches) and Sharks (38).
He made his first grade debut as a 17-year-old with St George in round 13 in 1995 against Cronulla before he switched to the Sharks for the 2006 season.
The veteran back-rower was forced into early retirement in 2008 as his body broke down after 14 years in the NRL.
At the time, Thompson was battling a knee injury and cited his long-term health and inability to keep up with his young daughter as reasons to call it quits at age 30.
A report into Thompson’s death will be prepared for the coroner.