'It was very emotional': Morrow inducted into Hall of Fame

Iconic rugby league commentator David Morrow shed a tear after being told he would be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a special ceremony on August 21.

A meeting of the Hall of Fame committee on Wednesday agreed to induct 11 male players, six female player, two coaches, two referees and four contributors, of which Morrow will be one.

The 14th Immortal, and the first since 2018, will also be inducted.

Morrow, who is affectionately nicknamed “Thirsty”, retired after more than 50 years of calling rugby league and other sports on television and radio after being diagnosed late last year with brain cancer.

While the identities of the other inductees will be kept under wraps until the ceremony, former 2GB colleague and long-time radio rival Ray Hadley was given permission to tell Morrow of the honour.

With Mark Levy, another member of the 2GB Continuous Call, visiting Morrow in hospital, Hadley phoned him and they relayed the news of the unanimous vote to induct the 71-year-old into the Hall of Fame.

“It was a very emotional time. I tried to hold it together as best as I could,” Hadley said on 2GB.

“’Thirsty’ was sleeping and then woke. I explained while he was awake to him and Chris [Morrow’s wife] what had happened that day and he had been elevated to the NRL Hall of Fame.

“We had a conversation as best we could, and I heard later from Mark that tears were shed by David and by Chris.”

Morrow, who was awarded an OAM for services to sport, sports broadcasting and the community in 2005, was a radio and television commentator for the ABC through four decades.

He joined the 2GB commentary team in 2015.

He was also the commentator on Channel Ten’s coverage of the 1990 Ashes tour when Mal Meninga backed up a break by Ricky Stuart to snatch a famous Australian victory in the second Test and level the series.

“At the end of the voting, I declared an interest that I’ve known David since 1981-82,” Hadley said.

“We’ve been to various Olympics together and been in opposing broadcast boxes for nearly three decades. More recently he joined the Continuous Call Team.

“The feeling in the room was one of sorrow, but joy that David was to be acknowledged. He is a really good bloke.

“I am just so proud to have been there to advocate on his behalf. No one offered any resistance to my plea, starting with Peter V’landys, the boss of the NRL, the CEO Andrew Abdo and Graham Annesley."

V’landys said Morrow’s contribution to the game would be remembered forever through his induction into the Hall of Fame.

“I’m so pleased that the group were unanimous around the induction of David Morrow,” V’landys said.

“David is a legendary contributor to the game over many decades and has provided colourful and insightful coverage of the game in his own unique style.

“He has a health battle on his hands and the Committee were steadfast in their view that ‘Thirsty’ should be afforded this recognition as soon as possible.”