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WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.

The junior club of late 2014 Premiership-winning Rabbitoh Kyle Turner has posted a heartfelt tribute on their social media, as the rugby league world is rocked by his sudden passing.

The 31-year-old Turner passed away suddenly on August 18 in his home town of Coonabarabran in New South Wales’ Central West.

His cause of death is unknown.

The Coonabarabran Unicorns Rugby League Football Club, where Turner played until he was signed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2011 as a 19-year-old, changed their emblem on social media to include a black line in tribute to Turner ahead of the club’s elimination final against Narromine.

The Unicorns will wear black armbands this weekend in tribute to Turner, with club president Steve Walton speaking to his impact.

“Kyle has a massive legacy in the football community,” Walton said on Saturday.

“A lot of juniors admired him, looked up to him, wanted to be like him.

“He was such a role model for not only them, but us at the club and all of our players.

“Kyle will be sorely missed and we think of his family today.”

The Unicorns announced they would retire the number 11 jumper he wore at the club.

A comment on the club’s Facebook read: “Love and prayers to you all at this sad time. 🙏 Fly high Kyle.”

Turner made his NRL debut in 2014 against the Wests Tigers, and played 91 games including caps for the Indigenous All Stars and NSW Country before a serious neck injury brought his career to a premature end in 2019.

He returned back to Coonabarabran in 2021 to pursue a brief comeback with his old club before taking up teaching.

On his return, then-club president Tony Cole welcomed the news, calling it a boon not only for the club on-field, but for the local economy as a whole.

“He’s been training for some time now and I think he will have a run, but honestly, we don’t really want to push him,” Mr Cole told the Coonabarabran Times in 2021.

“Whatever capacity he gives us as a club would be greatly appreciated.

“Having someone around our club with the experience Kyle has, whether he pulls a jumper on or not will be great.”

Speaking after a disrupted football season in 2020 as a result of Covid-19, Cole was excited to see Turner’s impact.

“After not having footy last year and with the possibility of watching a former NRL star in action, I’m sure we will get some good crowds.

“It feels good - everyone is excited.”

Turner was still playing reserve grade as recently as July 22, winning club points in a 32-2 thumping of Dunedoo.

South Sydney released a statement on Saturday afternoon, describing Turner as a “gentle giant with an infectious smile”, and confirming that they would wear black armbands in his honour for their game against Newcastle on August 20.

“A proud Kamilaroi man and Coonabarabran Unicorns junior, Mr Turner joined the Rabbitohs in 2011, the year in which he won the Rabbitohs under 20s Player of the Year Award,” the club said in a statement.

“He will be remembered as a gentle giant with an infectious smile and a crowd favourite amongst the Rabbitohs faithful, as is evidenced by his award as The Burrow Player of the Year in 2016.”

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly said Turner was “an amazing human being”.

“Kyle was an amazing human being,” Solly said.

“He epitomised the country boy Rugby League player. He was such a tough, uncompromising player on the field, yet a lovely, generous man off the field.

“We offer our full support to his family and friends at this very difficult time, and he will always be remembered at our Club as a man that delivered a premiership to the Rabbitohs, but also a man that connected deeply with his communities.

“We will hold him close to our hearts for the rest of this season and in the years to come. Vale Kyle Turner.”

Tributes are flowing for the former NRL star online, with many fans expressing their shock over the tragic news.

“Rest in peace Kyle Turner. So sad to hear he has passed away,” one woman wrote on Twitter.

“He is a great player and a 2014 premiership winner. I met him at Eastgardens in 2016, thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

Other NRL fans agree Turner was “taken too soon”.

One person wrote online: “Always a 2014 Rabbitoh premiership player, taken away too soon. Only the good die young.”

Another person said the news was “terrible”.

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“(He) was always one of the nicest and most welcoming guys at Souths, and someone you were genuinely happy to see win a premiership in 2014,” the social media user wrote.

“Thinking of all his family and friends, along with everyone at Souths and Coonabarabran.”

- with NCA NewsWire

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