Nine studio to be renamed in honour of radio caller David ‘Thirsty’ Morrow
![Legendary sports broadcaster, David ‘Thirsty’ Morrow from 2GB lost his battle with brain cancer last week. Supplied](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15472514/d03d385562803a448f0b745305455b71798f0720-16x9-x0y0w1280h720.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
A Nine radio Olympic studio will be renamed in honour of a legendary sporting broadcaster who died following a battle with brain cancer.
As family and friends gathered in Sydney’s east to farewell David “Thirsty” Morrow on Thursday morning, colleague and friend Mark Levy announced the Pyrmont studio would be renamed the “David Morrow Olympic Studio”.
Former NRL players, including, Andrew Johns and fellow commentator Darryl Brohman were among those to attend the service at St Brigid’s Church in Coogee to pay tribute to the respected radio caller who died aged 71.
![Funeral Footy Commentator David Morrow](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15472514/33c5883323e71a37e6929e5aca9591173a8bf146.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![Funeral Footy Commentator David Morrow](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15472514/34098fdd38f053ed743030ed694acdd89cc58332.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
A St George Illawarra Dragons bomber jacket was laid across Morrow’s casket as it was carried down the aisle to the soundtrack of AC/DC’s It’s A Long Way To The Top.
As the service began a number of items were placed upon the casket by his loved ones, including an Olympic flag and a 2GB cap.
Many attendees wore red clothing and red ribbon in their hair in honour of Morrow’s love for the Dragons.
Morrow’s youngest daughter, Lucy Morrow, reflected on her dad’s “intelligent sporting acumen” and “deep thoughtfulness for others” in a touching eulogy.
“While dad may have been one of the greatest this country will ever see, he was an even better father,” she said.
Ms Morrow shared one of the last pieces of advice her dad gave her.
“I was leaving the hospital one night (and) as I said goodbye, he said, ‘Now be good’,” she explained.
![Morrow’s youngest daughter, Lucy Morrow, gave a touching eulogy. Screen grab](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15472514/4a5294fce0053aa3e0bdd735f4e0595f63802cd6.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
“Yeah, yeah, Dad, I’m always good,” she replied.
“And if you can’t be good, be careful,” Morrow said back.
Ms Morrow explained as she walked down the hallway she heard her dad’s “bellowing” voice telling her “and if you can’t be careful, give me a ring”.
“Well Dad, since I can’t give you a ring and I’m not that good at being good, I guess I best learn to be careful,” she said.
Ms Morrow described being her dad’s daughter as the “greatest honour” of her life.
“I love you Dad and I miss you already,” she said.
Morrow was diagnosed with cancer in December and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which forced him to step down from his role on 2GB’s Continuous Call Team.
Morrow’s broadcasting career spanned 52 years, including eight Olympic Games and six Commonwealth Games, as well as 44 years covering rugby league.
He was a radio and television commentator for the ABC from 1980 to 2014, calling Saturday football to a national audience on ABC television until 1996.
Levy worked alongside Morrow for nearly a decade after the revered broadcaster joined 2GB’s Continuous Call team in 2015.
He said while Morrow came to the team as a “polished, experienced, respected broadcaster,” fellow commentators quickly realised he was “just as loose” as the rest of them.
Levy said after growing up in regional NSW, Morrow “ended up travelling the world” and providing a “soundtrack for the generation”.
“I wish he was still around to help with our Olympic coverage over the next two weeks because, as we know, David loved the Olympic Games,” he said.
![2GB colleague and friend Mark Levy paid tribute to David Morrow. Screen grab](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15472514/5ca9d45852e3263d6b4e4a357803cf1503f11fec.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
“But if I know David, he’ll have a front-row seat somewhere in that main stadium. While he might not be with us to cover the games, David will be with us in spirit.”
“I’ll certainly be thinking of him when I broadcast our brand new Olympic studio.”
Levy reflected on his friend’s “amazing ability” to remember sporting records spanning decades and multiple sports.
“I’m talking about the most random times, margins, dates, where everyone came from, if they were from the bush, and when it comes to sport, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as knowledgeable as David,” he said.
Levy said he had been inundated by emails from listeners who said they were “blessed to have had the privilege of listening,” to Morrow.
Morrow was awarded an OAM for services to sport, sports broadcasting and the community in 2005 and was inducted into the Sydney Cricket Ground Media Hall of Honour just last year.
Before Morrow’s death he was informed of his induction into the NRL Hall of Fame for his service to the game.
![Morrow stepped down from on air duties after he was diagnosed with brain cancer in December. Mark Levy/X](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15472514/6dc0dae7e029d24c5c19b82d8ad86a7930b76bf6.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Following his death, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys described Morrow as one the “greatest voices of the game” who was recognised across the country for his “wit, his insight and his knowledge”.
“I had the pleasure of knowing David throughout my career in sport and he was a champion in every sense of the word. I have been honoured and privileged to know him as a friend,” he said in a statement confirming Morrow’s death last week.
“In his final days, David knew how cherished he was in the rugby league community, having been informed of his induction into the Hall of Fame.”
V’landys said it was comforting to know both Morrow and his family were aware of how the game “felt about his achievements”.
Morrow is survived by wife Kristine and daughters Emily and Lucy.
Originally published as Nine studio to be renamed in honour of radio caller David ‘Thirsty’ Morrow
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails