The rugby league world is mourning the loss of "larger-than-life", triple premiership-winning Canterbury legend Paul Langmack, at age 61.
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould and Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters led the tributes after Langmack's death on Thursday morning from a massive heart attack.
"It is with deep sadness that the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs advise of the sudden passing of club legend Paul Langmack," the club posted on their website.
"A club great and a catalyst for success throughout the 1980s era, Langmack joined the Bulldogs in 1983 and quickly established himself as a tough and uncompromising presence in the forward pack.
"Across eight seasons at the club, he played 174 first-grade games, winning three premierships in 1984, 1985 and 1988."
His last premiership came under Gould's coaching.
"I am devastated to learn of Paul’s sudden passing this morning," Gould said.
"Paul would contact me every day of the week about something to do with rugby league. I'm going to miss those calls and messages.
"I’m particularly devastated for his sister Diane, who has been my personal assistant for the past 15 years."
Walters also paid and confirmed the Kangaroos would don black armbands for Sunday's World Cup semi-final against Samoa.
"He served the Kangaroos really well, and the sport of rugby league, so it's a very sad day," Walters said.
"Fortunate enough to play against him ... he used to give a lot of lip to players and then he'd have his cheeky smile after he gave you a serve."
Alongside his Australian caps, Langmack also represented NSW in four State of Origin games and featured for NSW City across a glittering career at Belmore.
Langmack was named Rugby League Week Player of the Year in 1992 and the Dally M captain of the year in 1995.
A fearless leader, he captained Canterbury 13 times with his durability helping him play a record 84 consecutive first-grade games for the Dogs.
After departing the club at the end of 1990, Langmack continued his first-grade career at Western Suburbs and the Sydney City Roosters, retiring at the end of the 1999 season.
Post-retirement, he took on coaching appointments at Wests Tigers in an assistant role, before becoming South Sydney head coach in 2003 and 2004.
Langmack was also nominated for the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions in 2004 and was awarded life membership in 2011 for his contributions as both a player and ambassador.
"Paul worked with the NSWRL for many years supporting the game. In recent times he volunteered his time to so many Bulldogs community initiatives," Gould said.
"He was a larger-than-life character. Paul was energetic, bubbly and enthusiastic.
"He loved his rugby league. He was so loyal to his many teammates and ex coaches over the years. He loved them all.
"Paul also started many mental health support programs to help young kids, plus both current and former players. He was always thinking of other people. This is a significant loss to so many.
"A true Bulldog."
