Former Bulldogs Star Paul Langmack Passes Away at 61

Paul Langmack, a three‑time premiership winner with the Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs, died on Monday at age 61. He played 314 first‑grade games in Australia and added 19 appearances for Halifax in England. Langmack also represented New South Wales in four State of Origin matches and was part of the 1986 Australian tour of Great Britain and France, playing ten tour matches though none were Test matches. His Bulldogs career spanned 174 games in the 1980s and produced premiership victories in 1984, 1985 and 1988. After retiring, he served as an assistant coach at the Wests Tigers at the end of 1999 and became head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Former rugby league great Phil Gould said he was devastated by Langmack’s sudden passing, calling him a larger‑than‑life, energetic and loyal teammate who started mental‑health support programmes for young people and for current and former players. His teammates remembered his bubbly enthusiasm and his habit of mentoring younger players. The club confirmed his death, noting his contributions as a player for the Bulldogs, Western Suburbs and the Sydney club.

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Langmack’s career reflects the strong link between elite rugby league players and community welfare initiatives, a tradition that many former players continue to uphold.