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Friday, March 29, 2024

Raiders and NRL world mourn the loss of Peter Mullholland

The Canberra Raiders and the NRL community are mourning the loss of the clubs recruitment and high-performance director Peter Mullholland after a long battle with illness.

Mulholland, the schoolteacher turned first-grade coach and recruiter, died after a lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 68.

His involvement with the game of rugby league has spanned over 50 years, as a player, coach, mentor, role model and friend to so many people across the game.

Mulholland’s death from a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was confirmed by the Canberra Raiders on Thursday.

Mulholland cut his teeth at St Gregory’s College Campbelltown where the likes of Mick Potter, Trent Robinson and Jason Taylor were under his tutelage.

His prowess in junior football earned him a shot at the big time with the introduction of the Western Reds, where he lured Mark Geyer to the start-up franchise in 1995.

He also spent time with Super League side Paris Saint-Germain.

But it was in recruiting where the man affectionately known as ‘Skull’ earned the respect of his peers.

He helped shape Penrith’s premiership-winning roster in 2003 and brought both Dale Finucane and Josh Jackson to Canterbury.

After time with Newcastle and St George Illawarra, he became Canberra’s recruitment manager in 2016 and his intimate knowledge of the English market helped land John Bateman and drive the club towards their first grand final in 25 years in 2019. The club also reached preliminary finals in both 2016 and 2020.

“The game has lost one of its greatest characters and we send our deepest sympathies to his Wife Mel, his sons Heath and Ned and the entire Mulholland family at this very sad time,” said Canberra chief executive Don Furner.

“Peter Mulholland was one of the most loved and respected people in rugby league and there will be many wonderful stories and memories shared about him over the coming weeks.

“He was instrumental in turning around our club’s fortunes and helping us make the grand final with some of his astute and targeted recruitment.

“Pete’s love of rugby league and his passion for what he did is what made him such a unique and respected person in our game, and I know we will all be poorer for his passing.”

“His time at the Raiders only makes up a very small portion of his rugby league career, but we will be forever indebted to what he brought to our club and what he was able to help us achieve during this time.”

“On behalf of all Raiders staff, players, coaches, families, members and fans we once again pass on our condolences to the Mulholland family and let them know he will never be forgotten by the Canberra Raiders.”

With AAP

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