David Morrow funeral: Football greats gather to bid farewell to legendary sportscaster

Football stars and media figures have gathered in Sydney’s eastern suburbs to bid farewell to legendary sports broadcaster David “Thirsty” Morrow.

Morrow, whose radio career spanned more than half a century, died of brain cancer aged 71 last week and was given a farewell in style on Thursday at St Brigid’s Catholic Church in Coogee.

Former NRL players Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley and Paul Gallen were among those attending the service along with Daryl Brohman, Mark Levy, Peter Psaltis and other Nine colleagues.

A St George Illawarra Dragons bomber jacket was placed over Morrow’s coffin as it was carried down the aisle to the soundtrack of AC/DC’s It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll).

As the service began, Morrow’s loved ones placed a number of items on the casket, including an Olympic flag and a 2GB cap.

Morrow’s nickname, ‘Thirsty’, came from his love of a cold Reschs, and his passion for Dragons was reflected in the red and white garments mourners were required to wear.

His youngest daughter, Lucy Morrow, reflected on her father’s “clever sporting acumen” and “deep consideration for others” in a moving eulogy.

“While Dad may have been one of the greatest people this country has ever seen, he was an even greater father,” he said.

Morrow was diagnosed with cancer in December and underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, forcing him to resign from his position on the 2GB call-in team.

In lieu of flowers, mourners were asked to make a donation to the Mark Hughes Foundation, which raises funds for brain cancer research and supports those suffering from the disease.

Morrow’s broadcasting career began in Kempsey on the mid-north coast of New South Wales in 1972. He would go on to cover the Olympics and six Commonwealth Games, as well as spending 44 years calling for rugby league.

Morrow was a radio and television commentator for ABC from 1980 to 2014, and broadcast Saturday night football games to a national audience on ABC television until 1996.

His daughter Lucy shared one of the last pieces of advice her father gave her.

“One night I was leaving the hospital, and as I said goodbye, he said, ‘Be good,'” Morrow told the congregation.

—Yes, yes, Dad, I’m always good —she replied.

“And if you can’t be good, be careful,” Morrow replied.

As Mrs. Morrow walked down the hallway, she heard her father’s “roaring” voice telling her, “And if you can’t be careful, call me.”

—Well, Dad, since I can’t give you a ring and I’m not very good at being nice, I guess I’d better learn to be careful, Lucy said.

Ms Morrow described being her father’s daughter as the “greatest honour” of her life.

“I love you dad and I miss you already,” he said.

Morrow’s teammate on the Continuous Call team, Mark Levy, has announced that a Nine Olympic radio studio in Pyrmont will be named after him.

Levy worked alongside Morrow for nearly a decade after the veteran joined the Continuous Call team in 2015.

He said that while Morrow came to the team as a “polished, experienced and respected broadcaster,” his colleagues quickly realized he was “just as laid-back” as the rest of them.

Levy said that after growing up in regional New South Wales, Morrow “ended up travelling the world” and providing a “soundtrack for the generation”.

“I wish he was still here to help us with Olympic coverage for the next two weeks because, as we know, David loved the Olympics,” she said.

“But if I know David, he’ll have a front-row seat somewhere in that main stadium. Even if he’s not with us to cover the games, David will be with us in spirit.”

‘I will certainly think of him when I broadcast our new Olympic studio.

Levy reflected on his friend’s “incredible ability” to remember sports records spanning decades and multiple sports.

“I’m talking about the most random moments, the margins, the dates, where each one came from, if they were from the mountains, and when it comes to sport, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with as much knowledge as David,” he said.

Levy said he had been inundated with emails from listeners saying they were “blessed to have had the privilege of hearing” Morrow.

Morrow was awarded an OAM for services to sport, sports broadcasting and the community in 2005 and was inducted into the Sydney Cricket Ground Media Hall of Honour last year.

Before his death, Morrow was informed of his induction into the NRL Hall of Fame for his service to the game.

Following his death, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys described Morrow as one of the “greatest voices in the game”, recognised across the country for his “wit, insight and knowledge”.

“I had the pleasure of knowing David throughout my racing career and he was a champion in every sense of the word. I was honored and privileged to know him as a friend,” he said in a statement confirming Morrow’s death last week.

‘In his final days, David learned how much he was loved in the rugby league community after being informed of his induction into the Hall of Fame.’

V’landys said it was comforting to know that both Morrow and his family were aware of how the game felt “in regards to his accomplishments.”

Morrow is survived by his wife Christine and daughters Emily and Lucy.