The National Rugby League (NRL) has paid tribute to former leading referee Jack Danzey, who passed away yesterday aged 81.
All NRL Match Officials will wear black arm bands during Round 17 matches following the passing of Danzey.
Danzey had a career both as a player for Newtown, Balmain and Cronulla-Sutherland as well as a match official.
He refereed 170 first-grade games, including semi-finals, and also officiated in two NSW-Queensland matches as well as the 1978 Amco Cup Final.
NRL Head of Football Elite Competitions Graham Annesley said Danzey was a man of great character and decency who was an enormously respected figure in the game.
“He was one of the leading referees through the 1970s and early 1980s,” Mr Annesley said. “He refereed as he lived his life, with honour, integrity and passion.
“The fact that he played the game at the highest level and then went on to be such a significant contributor as an official is testament to that love for the game.
“On behalf of the game, I’d like to extend our deepest condolences to Jack’s family.”
