The National Rugby League (NRL) community is mourning the death of well-respected recruiter Peter Mulholland.

The 68-year-old, who spent the 2011 season as Wayne Bennett’s recruitment manager at the Newcastle Knights, died after a lengthy battle with cancer.

While with the Hunter organisation, he worked alongside another highly-regarded staffer, Keith Onslow.

At the time, former Newcastle chief executive Matthew Gidley said it was a great acquisition for the club.

“This is part of a restructure to our recruitment department and we envisage it will ensure we secure the best rugby league talent at the Knights,” he said.

“Peter will work alongside high performance unit manager Keith Onslow.

“Together they will ensure the Newcastle Knights capitalise on the Hunter Valley’s rich rugby league nursery while scouting for the best talent from outside our region.”

Mulholland’s passing from a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was confirmed by his current club, the Canberra Raiders, on Thursday.

He cut his teeth at St Gregory’s College Campbelltown where the likes of Mick Potter, Trent Robinson and Jason Taylor were under his tutelage.

His prowess in junior football earned him a shot at the big time with the introduction of the Western Reds, where he lured Mark Geyer to the start-up franchise in 1995.

He also spent time with Super League side Paris Saint-Germain.

But, it was in recruiting where the man also known as “Skull” earned the respect of his peers.

He helped shape Penrith’s premiership-winning roster in 2003 and brought both Dale Finucane and Josh Jackson to Canterbury.

After time with Newcastle and St George Illawarra, he became Canberra’s recruitment manager in 2016 and his intimate knowledge of the English market helped land John Bateman and drive the club towards their first grand final in 25 years in 2019.

“The game has lost one of its greatest characters,” Canberra chief executive Don Furner said.

“Peter Mulholland was one of the most-loved and respected people in rugby league and there will be many wonderful stories and memories shared about him over the coming weeks.

“He was instrumental in turning around our club’s fortunes and helping us make the grand final with some of his astute and targeted recruitment.”

The Knights also expressed their sincere condolences to Mulholland’s family and friends on Thursday.

“Skull, as he was affectionately known as in rugby league circles, enjoyed more than 50 years involvement in the game he loved, building an unparalleled network of contacts and friendships all around the world,” a spokesperson said.

“Many players, coaches and administrators owe their careers to his keen eye for talent, many more have been touched by his kindness and uncanny knack of finding a laugh even in the darkest of times.

“Rugby league will never forget the name Peter Mulholland and the Newcastle Knights join in celebrating his significant contribution across every level of our game and sport in general.”

• with AAP

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