Australian rugby league player (1940–1986)
Kevin Longbottom (23 December 1940 – 13 January 1986) was an Aboriginal Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s. Longbottom was known by the nickname "Lummy" and was renowned for his long-range goal kicking,[2] sometimes even kicking goals from further than the halfway line.[3] A large, barrel-chested man, he won a premiership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 1967, and played on the 1965 team that were runners up.[4] He played Fullback for most of his career.
Longbottom initially forced his way into first grade when full-back Darrel Chapman became injured.[5] He kicked a conversion in South Sydney's win over Canterbury in the 1967 Grand final that should have resulted in a 14–10 win.[6] His three long range penalty goals in the 1965 Grand Final are still regarded as possibly the longest kicks ever attempted at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[7]
Longbottom was a fine golfer, but is better remembered as a famous caddie to many professional golfers including Bruce Devlin, Bob Shearer and American Tommy Bolt.[8]
Longbottom died from chronic liver disease in 1986 at the age of 45.
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