Advertisement

'Very sad': Rugby league rocked by tragic death of premiership hero

Harry Cameron, pictured here in action for Eastern Suburbs against Manly in 1973.
Harry Cameron in action for Eastern Suburbs against Manly in 1973. (Photo by Pearce/Fairfax Media via Getty Images).

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.

'GOT TO BE JOKING': Queensland savaged over side for Origin II

NSW TEAM: Blues bring in Dale Finucane and Angus Crichton

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 β€˜Bunny’ Reilly died in May this year.

Mark Harris, pictured here pushing off Ray Branighan as Harry Cameron watches on.
Mark Harris pushes off Ray Branighan as Harry Cameron watches on. (Photo by Richard John Pinfold/Fairfax Media via Getty Images).

"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."

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.