Paul Langmack’s footy yarns were legendary. This was one of his best

November 7, 2026 — 5:00am

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Fare thee well, Paul Langmack, the well-known rugby league identity of Bulldogs, Magpies, Blues and Kangaroos fame, who sadly passed away on Thursday morning from a heart attack after a work-out. He was just 61.

A really colourful character of the game, he was known post-career for his banter and yarns, and was a well-loved member of the Lindfield Lilywhite touch football mob.

One of them, Skinny Fitz, tells me this was one of Langers’ favourite yarns.

It was back in 1996, see, when Tommy Raudonikis was coaching Western Suburbs and glorying in old-style, gee-up speeches before matches to get his players pumped up.

But it was wearing a tad thin, and one of the better Wests players, Harvey Howard, gently suggested to Tommy that what the players really needed and wanted before the matches was maybe a little more information about opposing players, and even footage of what they could be expected to do? You know, Tommy, like all the other coaches in the comp do? This might get us a bit better equipped to handle the opposing sides’ danger men.

Excellent idea! Tommy is immediately up for it, and even enthused.

“Rightio, leave it with me …”

As good as his word, the following Monday, Tommy turns up at training and indeed appears to have done all his homework, and more. Up on the board goes a list of all the players in the opposing South Sydney team he thinks will give his men some trouble, and he starts going through the list of each particular opponent’s strengths and weaknesses one by one …

Tommy starts off targeting the Souths key ball players he feels really need to be “bottled up”, as the players look at each other quizzically, but say nothing.

“First, Tricky Trindall. He’s quick, he’s lively and he’s a f---ing menace … so make sure you bash him if you get near him.”

Again, the players look at each other, and look to Langmack, but Tommy goes on.

“Next … Sean Garlick, he’s explosive out of dummy half, and he’s inventive and shows a lot of initiative around the ruck ... so you need you to shut him down and bash him if you get a chance.”

Rugby league legend Paul Langmack dies at 61

“Next … Craig Wing, he’s young and zippy, and he’s a very, very dangerous lively utility player who bobs up everywhere ... so you really need to bash him at any opportunity you get ...”

Finally, Langers, as Magpies captain, has to act. Tommy is in full flight by this point, but Langmack jumps to his feet and interrupts:

“Look, this is an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC new and insightful coaching concept you’re adopted here Tommy, but ... we’re playing Norths this Sunday, Tommy ... not........

© The Age