Australian Sporting Legends Lost in 2022

As 2022 draws to an end, we look back at some of the most iconic Australian athletes who passed away this year but who will remain immortal in the hearts of their family and fans.  

Australian cricketer, Alan 'Froggy' Thomson

2 December 1945 - 31 October 2022

Alan Thomson was an Australian cricketer, AFL umpire and school teacher. Nicknamed "Froggy" as he "bowled off his front leg like a frog in a windmill" Thomson made his debut in cricket in January 1969. 

Australian Rules Football Hall of Fame player, Dr Allen Aylett

24 April 1934 - 16 September 2022

Dr Allen Aylett OBE, was a former AFL player. Aylett was president of the North Melbourne Football club, chairman of the Victorian Football League (VFL) from 1977 to 1984. Aylett's debut came in 1952 spanning over a decade, he played 220 games and kicked 311 goals. Allen Aylett won North Melbourne's best and fairest award from 1958-1960 and All Australian in 1961. 

Australian cricketer, Andrew Symonds

9 June 1975 - 14 May 2022

Australian international cricketer, Andrew Symonds was a key member of two World Cup wins. Nicknamed "Roy" by his teammates Symonds was a batting all rounder and was named 'man of the match' in 2002 Pura Cup final after scoring 123 runs and taking six wickets. 

Australian rugby league player and coach, Barry Muir

18 September 1937 - 2 September 2022

Australian professional rugby league footballer and coach Barry Muir was an Australian and Queensland representative halfback. Muir made his debut in 1959 playing in 22 Tests between 1959 and 1964, and captaincy on two test series. 

Australian tennis player, Colin Stubs

27 February 1941 - 13 July 2022

Colin Stubs was an Australian tennis player. Stubs served as the tournament director of the Australian Open from 1978 to 1994. 

Australian Olympic cycling legend, Dean Woods

22 June 1966 - 3 March 2022

Dean Woods OAM, was an Australian Olympic racing cyclist, known for his track cycling. In 1985 Woods was awarded the Order of Australia medal for service to cycling and was an Australian Institute of Sports Scholarship holder.

Olympic Alpine Skier, Frank Prihoda

8 July 1921 - 10 November 2022

Frank Prihoda was a Czechoslovak-born Australian alpine skier and Olympian. Prihoda competed in the 1956 Winter Olympics and until his death in November 2022, he was Australia's oldest living Olympian. 

AFLW premiership player, Heather Anderson

29 July 1994 - 14 November 2022

Heather Anderson was an AFL player and played for Adelaide Football Club in the AFL Women's league in 2017. Anderson was an Australian army soldier and served as a medic in the 1st Close Health Battalion. 

Australian golfing great, Jack Newton

30 January 1950 - 15 April 2022

Jack Newton OAM,  was an Australian professional golfer who in 1974 won the Buick- Goodwrench open on the PGA Tour, won three times on the European Tour and the British PGA tour. In 1979 Newton won the Australian Open. 

Australian middle-distance runner, John Landy

12 April 1930 - 24 February 2022

John Landy was an Australian middle distance runner and was the second man to break the four minute mile barrier in the mile race. Landy held the world records for the 1500 metre run and the mile race. Landy was also the 26th Governor of Victoria from 2001 to 2006 and was the final runner in the Queen's baton relay during the 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony presenting the Baton to the Queen. 

Australian Lineal and WBC featherweight champion, Johnny Famechon

28 March 1945 - 4 August 2022

Johnny Famechon AM, was an Australian Featherweight boxer and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours and in 2003 was the inductee for the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame. Famechon became the first Melbourian to become King of Moomba in 1970. 

Australian rugby league coach, Johnny Raper

12 April 1939 - 9 February 2022

Australian professional rugby league footballer and coach John William Raper MBE, earned a then - record 33 Test caps in the Australia national team between 1959 and 1968. Nicknamed "Chook" Raper made his professional debut in 1957 at 18 years old and played six World Cup games between 1960 and 1968. 

Australian cricketer, Laurie Sawle

9 August 1925 - 26 July 2022

Laurie Sawle was an Australian cricketer for the Australia national cricket team. Sawle's debut was in 1954 playing for Western Australia. Sawle served in the Second World War. 

Australian rules football player, Neil Kerley

20 February 1934 - 29 June 2022

Neil Kerley AM, was an Australian rules footballer and coach, best known for leading three clubs to four South Australian National Football League premierships over three decades as both a player and coach. Kerley played 32 state games for South Australia, was a member of the Order of Australia and in 1997 was appointed Member of the Australian Football hall of fame. 

Australian rugby league coach, Paul Green

12 September 1972 - 11 August 2022

Australian professional rugby league football coach, Paul Green was best known for coaching the North Queensland Cowboys to the NRL premiership in 2015. Green was a professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s.        

Australian rugby league footballer, Robert 'Rocky' Laurie

28 March 1945 - 4 August 2022

Robert Laurie was an Australian rugby league football player. Nicknamed "Rocky" he played for the Sydney Roosters and Rabbitohs in the NSW rugby league premiership in 1976.

Australian wicketkeeper, Rod Marsh 

4 November 1947 - 4 March 2022

Rod Marsh was an Australian cricketer who played as a wicketkeeper for the Australian national team. Making his debut in cricket in the 1969-1970 season and became an integral part of the team. Marsh's career spanned from 1970-71 to 1983-84. 

Australian cricket legend, Shane Warne

13 September 1969 - 4 March 2022

Shane Warne AO, was an Australian international cricketer from 1991 to 2007. Regarded as one of cricket's greatest bowlers, Warne set the record for the most wickets taken by any bowler in the history of Test cricket, a record he held until 2007. Read our tribute to Shane Warne here.

Australian rules footballer in the Victorian league, Terry Fulton

12 March 1930 - 15 July 2022

Terry Fulton was an AFL football player in the Victorian Football league. Fulton was a wingman in the VFL 1951 and 1952 premierships for Geelong football club. 

Australian rugby league legend, Terry Quinn

8 June 1954 - 20 September 2022

Terry Quinn was an Australian rugby league player and former Australian Rugby League director. Quinn served on the board of the NSWRL and was former Chief Executive of the West Australian Rugby League.   

By Alana Dintinosante

Sources: 

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Green_(rugby_league)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Warne
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Symonds
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Raper
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Thomson_(cricketer)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Anderson
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Prihoda
• https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2020/03/27/nswrl-farewells-quinn/#:~:text=Quinn%20played%20for%20Penrith%20in,United%20in%20the%20Newcastle%20competition
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Aylett
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Muir
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Sawle
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fulton
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Stubs
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Kerley
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Newton
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Marsh
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Woods
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Landy
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Famechon