Rugby league rocked by death of Bulldogs legend after collapse in local gym
Rugby league is coming to grips with the sudden death of Bulldogs legend Paul Langmack at the age of 61.
Sources confirmed to nine.com.au Langmack suffered a suspected heart attack and collapsed while in a gym in Sydney’s Breakfast Point on Thursday morning and was rushed to hospital, but could not be revived.
Paul Langmack pictured in action for the Canterbury Bulldogs during the 1988 season. Supplied
Canterbury general manager Phil Gould confirmed the news after speaking with Langmack’s sister Diane.
“Completely devastated… it’s such a huge loss,” Gould posted to X.
“Paul would contact me every day of the week about something to do with rugby league. I’m going to miss those calls and messages.
“I’m particularly devastated for his sister Diane who has been my personal assistant for the past 15 years. Diane called me early this morning with the terrible news. I love Diane so much and I’m devastated for her loss.
“He was a larger than life character. So funny. Paul was energetic, bubbly and enthusiastic. He loved his rugby league. He was so loyal to his many teammates and ex coaches over the years. He loved them all.
“Paul was always thinking of other people. This is a significant loss to so many. A true Bulldog.”
Langmack was still a schoolboy when he made his first grade debut for Canterbury in 1983, and played in the winning Winfield Cup grand final against Parramatta the following year.
He won two more premierships with the club, in 1985 and 1988, in the famous team coined the Dogs of War.
He played 174 games for the Bulldogs, before 137 more for Western Suburbs and another three for Sydney City.
He also spent a season in England playing for Halifax.
Langmack – a clever ball-playing lock forward – represented Australia and New South Wales, and was named Rugby League Week’s player of the year in 1992.
Paul Langmack pictured with former Bulldogs young gun Karl Oloapu. Bulldogs
Balmain legend Ben Elias knew Langmack as an adversary, teammate and friend for most of his life.
“We played against each other for the first time in the schoolboy final in 1981 - I was at Holy Cross and he was at Fairfield Pats,” Elias told nine.com.au.
“Even then he was the life of the party and wouldn’t shut up on the field.
“In 1986 we went on the Kangaroo tour together and became mates for life - he was always making us all laugh.
“We played the 1988 grand final against each other and he came out on top and I was shattered, but a part of me was happy for him. He was such a good bloke, he had no enemies.”
Former Bulldogs teammate Peter Tunks was also in shock.
“He was a great guy to play with,” Tunks told nine.com.au.
“He was a bit crazy but that’s what everyone loved about him at Canterbury.
“Langers was the real character who held the team together and one of the main reasons we were so successful.”
Following his playing career, Langmack coached South Sydney briefly.
More recently he worked for the NSW Rugby League as a mental fitness and wellbeing manager.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys also paid tribute on Thursday.
“Paul was a larger-than-life character,” V’landys said.
“As a player he was tough, but he had the skills as well. And he loved the game so much he just wanted to be involved in it, whether it be playing, coaching or, in recent years, working with the NSWRL in their community and mental health programs. He always wanted to help people.”
