Monday, 28 April 2014

Former NRL star Ryan Tandy found dead "of drugs overdose" at 32


  • Found at his parents’ apartment on the NSW Central Coast, Australia

  • Death due to drug overdose, according to reports

  • Tandy was convicted of match-fixing while playing for Canterbury Bulldogs in 2010 and was banned from NRL for life

  • ‘He’d been training and was off the drink,’ says former South Sydney teammate Bryan Fletcher

  • Death comes before the release of his book, The Fix, which reveals his role in Australian rugby league’s most notorious match-fixing scandal


By

Daniel Mills

and Sarah Dean

and Candace Sutton



Published:


08:14, 28 April 2014




|
Updated:


12:57, 28 April 2014




Former NRL player Ryan Tandy has been found dead at this parents’ apartment on the NSW Central Coast.


The 32-year-old, who played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, had received a life ban after placing a bet on a match in which he was playing in 2010.


It has been claimed he died of a drugs overdose and the death is not being treated as suspicious.


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Dead at 32: Former NRL star Ryan Tandy had been banned from the game for life


Dead at 32: Former NRL star Ryan Tandy had been banned from the game for life



His mother reportedly made the discovery and police were called to the Saratoga address at 2pm on Monday.


‘On arrival police found the body of a 32-year-old man,’ a police statement said.


The former journeyman front-rower had been living at his parents’ apartment as part of his bail conditions after he was charged with allegedly kidnapping a man on January 16.


It was alleged the plot, linked to criminal bikie organisations, was an attempt to recover a drug debt worth tens of thousands of dollars. 






Troubled: Tandy, seen here training with Melbourne Storm in August 2009, had retired from rugby league but continued to be embroiled in controversy


Troubled: Tandy, seen here training with Melbourne Storm in August 2009, had retired from rugby league but continued to be embroiled in controversy



Scandal: Ryan Tandy, pictured here in 2009 in Melbourne, received Australia


Scandal: Ryan Tandy, pictured here in 2009 in Melbourne, received Australia’s first-ever match-fixing conviction



The troubled star was convicted of match fixing while playing for the Canterbury Bulldogs against North Queensland Cowboys in 2010.


Investigations were launched following a $30,000 betting plunge on the game and Tandy was subsequently banned for life from NRL.


He was also handed a $4,000 fine and a 12-month good behaviour bond for his involvement in the scandal.


Over the course of his tumultuous career, Tandy featured in 36 NRL games across five clubs.


Born in Wollongong in 1981, he began playing for St George Illawarra in 2003 before joining South Sydney midway through that season.


Retired: Tandy featured in 36 NRL games across five clubs during his career


Retired: Tandy featured in 36 NRL games across five clubs during his career



Abroad: The footballer played for five teams in Britain, including Hull KR in 2007


Abroad: The footballer played for five teams in Britain, including Hull KR in 2007


Abroad: The footballer played for five teams in Britain, including Hull KR in 2007



Tandy, whose father was born in Birmingham, spent time in Britain where he played for five clubs including Doncaster and then Hull KR in the English Super League in 2007.


He also played five matches for Ireland in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.


A statement on Rugby League Ireland’s official website today said: ‘Ryan was a larger than life character and we would like to express our thanks for the commitment during the World Cup.’


Tributes for the sportsman have also poured in on Twitter.


Tandy’s former coach at Hull KR, Justin Morgan, wrote: ‘So sad to hear of Ryan Tandy’s death. RIP’


Retired professional rugby league footballer Steve Turner, said: ‘Shocked and saddened to hear of the news about Ryan Tandy. RIP mate!’


‘In complete shock!!! Won a premiership with Ryan in 2009, a bloke who gave his all on the footy field. RIP,’ he added.


Bright future: Tandy had been excited about a new business venture and the release of his upcoming tell-all book, The Fix


Bright future: Tandy had been excited about a new business venture and the release of his upcoming tell-all book, The Fix



Respected player: Tandy, seen here playing for the Bulldogs in 2010, was


Respected player: Tandy, seen here playing for the Bulldogs in 2010, was ‘a bloke who gave his all on the footy field’



Tandy’s former South Sydney teammate Bryan Fletcher told The Daily Telegraph: ‘I wouldn’t have seen this coming. It’s tragic for his family.’


Fletcher revealed he had spoken with Tandy only a month ago.


During their meeting, Tandy told of how he was planning a new compression garments business.


‘He’d been training and was off the drink. He was in a good headspace which I thought was good,’ a shocked Fletcher added.


Tandy’s friend Brett Clarke wrote on Twitter: ‘Today I’ve lost a good mate, a bloke I’ve shared the best and funniest days of my life with. Ryan Tandy you’ll be missed mate. #RIP’



‘A good mate’: Teammates and friends paid tribute to the Bulldogs star on Twitter



Sydney Roosters star James Maloney commented: ‘Cant believe the news on Ryan Tandy, a bloke I shared some good times with… RIP mate!!!’


The official Twitter account of the Australian National Rugby League posted a tribute that said: ‘Saddened to hear of Ryan Tandy’s death. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family.’


As well as his new business venture, Tandy had been excited about the release of his book, The Fix, written with Sydney journalist Josh Massoud about the footballer’s role in Australian rugby league’s most notorious match-fixing scandal.


Book publishing house, Allen Unwin, describes Ryan Tandy’s arrest, his subsequent very public fall from grace and his treatment by police and the football establishment.


‘Sacked by his club, arrested, charged and convicted for attempting to fix the game, Tandy became the most recognised and despised figure in Australian sport,’ Allen Unwin wrote.


‘Behind the headlines, little is known about Tandy, the shadowy dealings that went into the now notorious fix, or the police investigation that claimed his scalp.’











Comments (18)


Share what you think



The comments below have been moderated in advance.





Linzc9298,


Lowestoft,


2 hours ago


I knew Ryan when he played for Widnes Vikings RLFC back in 2006 when I worked at the club. He was a great character and good, solid player. I for one am very sad to hear of his tragic death, My thoughts go out to his family at this sad time. RIP Ryan x






JackyBassett,


City of London, United Kingdom,


2 hours ago


Shame he didn’t cut his loses and start a new life in Ireland when he had the chance.





Andrew,


Birmingham,


2 hours ago


Very sad to see an ex Viking or indeed any person have their life cut so short like this.

He was with us in 2006 and always gave his all.


Andrew

Widnes Vikings





yeltneb,


London, United Kingdom,


3 hours ago


The curse of Cocaine strikes again, when will these younsters learn. You deal in it, you get put away for a long time. you take it, it will ruin your life, lose your Business, break up your marriage or kill you? What fun.





craftyhooker55,


leicester, United Kingdom,


3 hours ago


A tragedy but one that shows once again how dangerous such substances are. When will people ever learn this lesson. DON’T DO IT.





D.R.Abraham,


Archway, Herts.,


3 hours ago


What are we getting all this provincial Australian news, now, DM? I’ve nothing against Antipodeans but this information means absolutely nothing to me.





marmite,


perigeuex, France,


3 hours ago


What a waste of life, won’t be the last either, when will people learn





creasey318,


Hull,


3 hours ago


who? i doubt anyone here would of heard of him. im sure the Aussies would know so maybe if you want to report on Aussie news have a Aussie section ?


- the minority have, the biggest say, Falkland Islands,


He played here so those of us who watch proper rugby want to know.





foxeshollow,


Chester UK,


4 hours ago


I’ve never heard of him but very sad especially for his mother who found him. He sounded a troubled man. He needed therapy not drink and drugs,they make things worse. Rest in peace Ryan.





Tammy,


London, United Kingdom,


4 hours ago


RIP



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Article source: http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/15789/bristol-join-tug-of-war-for-wales-prop-star/


Former NRL star Ryan Tandy found dead "of drugs overdose" at 32
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