Grant Thomas has paid tribute to the late Matt Rendell following his passing on Wednesday.
Rendell, who was affectionately known as ‘Bundy’, was Thomas’ assistant coach and tactician at St Kilda in the early 2000s and the pair also played together at Fitzroy in the 1980s.
As such, they shared a special bond.
Thomas spoke glowingly of the man who captained Fitzroy, won two best and fairests with the Lions, played with the Brisbane Bears and was a two-time All-Australian ruckman. He also played in the SANFL with West Torrens.
“He was an incredible footy person, but he was actually a better bloke,” Thomas said on SEN Breakfast.
“‘Bundy’ deeply, deeply loved it (footy). He was just an absolute gem of a bloke.”
Listen to Thomas’ chat with Garry and Tim below:
Kane Cornes touched on Rendell’s passing.
“What a contribution he made to the game of Australian football, firstly as a player, then as an assistant coach, as an excellent recruiter, and then as an enthralling and captivating media commentator,” Cornes said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“Our thoughts extend to the Rendell family and anyone who got to know and love Matty Rendell.”
Michelangelo Rucci and Kym Dillon, who were joined regularly by Rendell on SEN SA’s The Run Home, had some touching words for their beloved friend.
Dillon said: “Matty, we love you, and you’ll always be with us.”
Rucci said: “We express our gratitude to Matthew Rendell for all he did for us, all that he did for the game of Australian football.
“From the memories we have from when he was a young man starting out at West Torrens as a league footballer to the time he reached the VFL at Fitzroy.
“We will dearly miss Matt and we’re going to live with some great memories and great laughs we had with him.
“Our condolences, our thoughts to everyone of the Rendell family and every who has ever known Matthew Rendell, we have our thoughts with you as well.”
Robert Walls, who coached Rendell at both Fitzroy and Brisbane in the 1980s and 1990s, spoke on SEN’s Sportsday WA.
“It’s a very sad day,” Walls said.
“His life was pretty much dedicated to his family and football.
“He was the leader of that Fitzroy group through the early to mid 80s. He was the leader on and off the field.
“As the decades went by, he kept the boys together. We regularly catch up and enjoy each other’s company.
“It’s just too young at 64 to go.”
Listen to Walls below:
Read some tributes from the AFL community:
Matt “Bundy” Rendell one of the planets truly great people. Loyal, brave, honest, caring, considerate, great sense of humour…..an outstanding human being. So sad. Gutted. Love you Bundy❤️
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) June 28, 2023
We lost a good one today with Matt Rendell.
— Dane Swan (@swandane) June 28, 2023
Was great at his job but even better at having a laugh and hanging shit on you, but you always left a conversation with him with a smile on your face.
Didn’t take himself to seriously and he obviously will be missed.
The AFL is saddened by the passing of former Fitzroy captain and long-time club recruiter, Matt Rendell.
— AFL (@AFL) June 28, 2023
Our thoughts are with his family 🤍 pic.twitter.com/8oWfKNz4FC
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Matt Rendell.
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) June 28, 2023
Matt, who worked at the club as an assistant coach in the early 2000’s, passed away earlier today.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/NJydyeye2A
The Adelaide Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Matt Rendell, who was a much valued leader of the recruiting team for six years.
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) June 28, 2023
The thoughts of the entire Crows family are with his wife Leonie and children Daniel and James, as well as their extended family and… pic.twitter.com/uPDQ0JiijQ
Vale Matt Rendell.
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) June 28, 2023
Matt was highly respected within the football community and worked as an assistant coach at Alberton in the early 2000s.
Our thoughts are with Leonie, Daniel and James and Matt's wider family and friends during this difficult time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WmaVldzH3x
Vale Matt Rendell. With the tragic passing of the former Fitzroy captain, current president David Leydon pays tribute to this all-time Roys champion:https://t.co/q19USHDGYP pic.twitter.com/Vyo51PTrow
— Fitzroy FC (@Fitzroy_FC) June 28, 2023
The Brisbane Lions are saddened by the passing of former Fitzroy Captain Matt Rendell.
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) June 28, 2023
The Club’s thoughts are with Leonie, Daniel and James Rendell and their family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iB2KLVZMZd
The talented Fitzroy teams of the early 1980s have lost a spiritual leader. Matty Rendell held them together then and now. A great assistant coach and recruiter and a journalist’s dream. He’ll be sadly missed. RIP
— Ashley Browne (@hashbrowne) June 28, 2023
Matty Rendell was a loved friend of so many people in Australian football, and it's with great sadness that we acknowledge his passing this afternoon.
— The Front Bar - Wednesday night @ 8.30pm (@thefrontbar7) June 28, 2023
Rendell was a giant of the game and our thoughts are his wife Leonie, a Channel Seven staff member, and their family.
Vale ❤️ pic.twitter.com/D8rRTxwwIE
RIP Matt, a huge man with a huge heart.