Footy legend Paul Langmack dies of suspected heart attack in sauna incident aged 61
Rugby league legend and larrikin Paul Langmack has died aged 61.
Radio host Mark Levy announced the passing of the former footy great on Sydney’s 2GB on Thursday morning.
It is understood he suffered a heart attack while having a sauna at the Breakfast Point Country Club after his daily gym routine and could not be revived.
‘He’s such a larger than life character. I used to joke and say, jeez, Paul, you give a panadol a headache,’ Levy said.
‘But every time he’d see you, he’d make a beeline for you to come over and and, and have a laugh with you.
‘I was only sitting at the airport with him earlier this year. He had a a black book, and I said, “what’s that? Is that your diary for what you got coming up?”.
Rugby league icon Paul Langmack has died aged just 61 with tributes flowing in
Langmack was a popular and talented part of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs squad
Langmack had health issues but was working on his fitness prior to his sudden death
‘And he said, no. That’s my black bookers. So all the tips that he used to send to everybody.”
Former NRL star Darryl Brohman was a teammate of Langmack’s and also paid his tribute.
‘Apparently he was in a sauna and just dropped dead. It was just terrible news,’ he said.
‘I mean, he was a wonderful player. I only played two years with him at the Bulldogs, and he was significantly younger than me.
‘And mate, he was just so talented. From a football perspective, he probably didn’t get the accolades that he deserved. He had a very smart football brain, and he should have probably played for Australia.
‘I think he went away on a Kangaroo tour, but I don’t think he played any Tests.
‘He used to tell a lot of great stories about Tommy Raudonikis as the coach [at Wests]. And mate, he just loved life. He just loved it.
‘You know, he had a couple of issues off the field, but who hasn’t? We’ve all had issues off the field.
The talented lock was a key member of Canterbury’s feared ‘Dogs of War’ forward pack
After hanging up his boots, Langmack moved into coaching and led South Sydney in 2003 and 2004
Friends and former teammates have remembered Langmack’s football intelligence, humour and love of life
‘He was just an outstanding footballer, a great friend and very loyal. And he was a great Bulldog, and the Bulldogs will be shattered by this.’
Langmack was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes in 2016 after discovering a lump in his throat and underwent radiation therapy at Sydney’s Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
Around the same time, he was organising the NRL’s first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras float.
The Western Magpies also posted a message of commiseration.
‘He loved his time captaining the boys in Black & White under coach Tommy,’ the club posted.
‘In more recent years, Paul was a champion for mental health and wellbeing in his role with the New South Wales Rugby League
‘We were also grateful to hear Paul’s humour and tales at our 2026 Magpie Heritage Night
‘Our thoughts our with Paul’s family at this time. RIP to Yesterday’s hero.’
Craig Laundy, from Bulldogs major sponsor Laundy Hotels, also paid tribute.
‘A great long-term friend of the Laundy family, dating back to his first days at Belmore in the early ’80s,’ he said in a statement to 2GB.
‘Thoughts and prayers for his entire family, special thoughts to his sister, Di Langmack, herself an integral part of the rebuilding of the Dogs over the last five years. An absolute tragedy. Vale Paul Langmack.’
Langmack played more than 300 first-grade games for Canterbury, Western Suburbs and the Sydney Roosters between 1983 and 1999, winning premierships with the Bulldogs in 1984, 1985 and 1988.
The skilful lock represented NSW four times and toured with the Australian Kangaroos in 1986, although he did not play a Test.
After retiring, he moved into coaching and led South Sydney in 2003 and 2004.
A key member of the Bulldogs’ feared ‘Dogs of War’ pack, he built his reputation on toughness, versatility and tireless defence.
He debuted at just 17, having slept outside the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1981 to secure a grand final ticket.
Three years later, he helped Canterbury beat Parramatta in the 1984 decider before adding premierships in 1985 and 1988.
His colourful stories include a team bus trip on which he said Terry Lamb drank vodka-and-orange premixes and bet on horses while Phil Gould drove.
According to Langmack, Lamb needed help getting to bed but recovered to inspire a 23-12 victory the following day.
At Western Suburbs, Langmack played under Tommy Raudonikis, whose unconventional motivational methods included bringing a raw ox heart into a team meeting.
Langmack recalled the heart being passed around as Raudonikis demanded his players show some heart, splattering blood across shirts and jerseys.
Another memorable celebration followed Canterbury’s 1988 premiership, when Langmack and David Gillespie joined Sydney band The Cockroaches on stage to sing ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’.
Members of that band later helped form The Wiggles, giving Langmack’s premiership celebrations an unexpected connection to the children’s entertainment superstars.
