Ron Raper

Due to the passing of my motherinlaw yesterday. I am unable to attend. The see are my thoughts when hearing of Ron’s passing. I will be watching on today.

……my thoughts and prayers are with Steve, Bec and the entire Raper family.

I can’t begin to express the sadness I feel at Ron’s passing, or the immense respect and love I have for Ron Raper.

I only wish I had the opportunity to say “thank you” one last time. Even if it had been for the hundredth time, it still would never have been enough for everything Ron gave me.

In 1985, I was playing for Souths Sunnybank Rugby League Club. Earlier that season I’d broken my ankle and had only just returned before the finals, so I wasn’t anywhere near my best. I’d come through the grades at Souths, playing Under 16s, Under 17s, Under 18s and Under 21s, always wearing the No. 6 jersey at five-eighth.

At the end of that season, around 15 of us decided to make the move to Wests. My mate, Ivo Herreygers, and I had always been passionate Wests supporters, and we wanted the opportunity to play for the club we admired so much.

What none of us realised was that I would be the only player affected by the registration rules. At the time, Brisbane Rugby League had a three-import rule. Because I’d only played one season of Under 21s in the Sub-District competition, I was classified as an import. The other boys had completed two seasons and weren’t affected. By then, two of Wests’ three import positions had already been filled. I actually forgot that Dick Welch played me one game in 1985 when we had a bye and he sat his regular 5/8 on the bench for the full game against University.

I still remember sitting down with Ron Raper and Ron (was it Ron or Mick Miliner and Ron Cooper?) Miliner, who were part of the club’s recruitment and retention committee. They didn’t really know me as a player. They had every reason to give that final import position to someone else.

Instead, it was Ron Raper who took a chance on me.

Looking back now, that one decision changed my life.

Because of Ron, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of pulling on the Wests jersey. I made friendships that have lasted a lifetime, experienced some incredible highs and lows, and became part of a football club that I will always be proud to call home.

In 1986, I made my grade debut for Wests. In 1987, I was fortunate enough to be part of the Wests Under 21 premiership-winning side—my first of two premierships in rugby league. In 1988, I fulfilled another dream by making my A Grade debut for Wests.

Then, in 1989, at 23 years of age, I had the honour of representing Brisbane in what was effectively a Brisbane A Grade side. While it wasn’t the strongest Brisbane team available, as the match was being used as a precursor to what would eventually become the Queensland Cup and to see whether a Brisbane representative side could compete against Wide Bay, it remains the only representative game I ever played in rugby league.

Every one of those milestones traces back to one moment—Ron Raper believing in a young bloke from Souths Sunnybank when he didn’t have to.

I also think of the lifelong friendships that came from my time at Wests. Blokes like Aaron Stewart, who I’d played against through the juniors before becoming teammates, and my great mate Ross Schumacher, who sadly is no longer with us. The friendships, the laughs, the memories and the camaraderie are things I’ll cherish forever.

When I look back on those years, I genuinely can’t think of a bad word to say about anyone I played with. We had a wonderful group of players and some unforgettable times together.

Ron didn’t just give me a place in a football team. He gave me opportunities, friendships, memories and experiences that have stayed with me for the rest of my life. There are moments in life when someone opens a door for you, and you never forget it.

To Steve, Bec and the entire Raper family, thank you for sharing Ron with the rugby league community for so many years. His impact reached far beyond wins and losses. He shaped lives, created opportunities and helped countless young men fulfil dreams they may never have otherwise achieved.

Ron, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for taking a chance on a young bloke from Souths Sunnybank. Because of your faith in me, I made my grade debut, won my first premiership, made my A Grade debut, and earned the only representative honour of my rugby league career. Those memories will stay with me forever, and so will my gratitude.

Rest peacefully, Ron.

Your legacy will continue to live on through every player, every coach, every family and every friend whose life you touched.

Thank you for everything. Mud and Blood ❤️.

An amazing family man who adored Sharon and all of his family and a strong, steady leader to so many. I was fortunate to have Ron as my coach. His mentorship helped me grow into a better person and I’ll forever be grateful for the impact he had on my life. Thanks mate. Love you. RIP.

A very emotional farewell to a marvellous man.

You will not be forgotten.