NRL fans and commentators are sending love and support to Darryl Brohman after the rugby league great revealed on Thursday he’s been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The 69-year-old, who battled prostate cancer in 2010 but came out the other side, said he’ll undergoing chemo and the outlook is fairly positive.
“I have been a bit crook for the last six weeks or so and I have been diagnosed with a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Brohman said on 2GB radio on Thursday. “It’s a form of cancer and I have started treatment today. I start chemo on Monday, and there’s about a 21-day period between the chemos and there are about six or seven that I’ve got to do.
“It’s not great news but if there is any good news from a cancer perspective it’s probably on the lower scale, and everyone I speak to says it is very treatable – so I’m pretty positive that I’ll be alright.”
Darryl Brohman was a host of the Footy Show from 2010 to 2018 alongside Erin Molan and Paul Vautin. Image: AAP/Getty
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, which forms part of the immune system. It develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow uncontrollably.
“I was a bit crook in the stomach and I just felt a bit heavy and I just went and got tested, I have probably been tested about seven or eight times,” Brohman said. “They had to form an accurate opinion of what it was.
“I’m very positive that I’ll be all right, just a matter of going through all the yucky stuff you’ve got to go through. Chemo doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, but…I’m just gonna lay low for a few months, do what I’ve got to do, and hopefully come out completely healthy.”
Brohman showered his partner with praise and said the diagnosis has pulled the family together. “She’s a different woman in the last few days, she’s very loving. She’s taken some time off work and has driven me around to various appointments. My daughter got married last Friday, so it sort of came at a bad time.”
Darryl Brohman and wife Beverly at the Dally M awards in 2016. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
NRL world sends well-wishes to Darryl Brohman
Brohman played 114 first-grade games in the 70s and 80s for the Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs. He also played two State of Origin games for Queensland.
After retiring in 1987 he moved into coaching and then commentary, and has become just as famous for his work in the media as for his playing career. He’s had radio stints with 2KA, ABC, 2UE, 2SM and 2GB, and is part of the popular Continuous Call team on 2GB radio.
He was a host of the widely-popular Footy Show on Channel 9 from 2010 to 2018, alongside the likes of Paul Vautin, Peter Sterling and Erin Molan. On Thursday he said he plans to return to the commentary box in 2026.
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2GB’s station manager Greg Byrnes said on air: “The entire Nine Radio family is sending its heartfelt support and best wishes to Darryl Brohman as he faces his upcoming health battle. We know ‘The Big Marn’ is up to the challenge, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the Continuous Call Team when he is fully recovered in 2026.”
Fans and fellow commentators took to social media on Thursday to wish him well. Wide World of Sports columnist ‘The Mole’ wrote: “Very sad news with league legend and all-round great guy Darryl Brohman revealing he is battling cancer. Good luck, ‘Big Marn’ – we are all with you!”
The Continuous Call Team’s offical account wrote: “We’re all with you, Big Marn.” While a fan commented: “Sad news. Wishing the Big Marn well.”