The Illawarra League community was left shocked by the sudden death of Brunning following Dapto's reserve grade clash with Wests at Dapto Showground last Saturday.

Lawrie played alongside Brunning with the Steelers junior reps when the pair were teenagers and said the loss of his former Illawarra Sports High School classmate hit him square between the eyes.

“When I first heard I was in the car coming back from our NSW Cup game and it sent shivers down my spine,” Lawrie said.

“I spoke to my old man in the car and I just didn't think it was real.

“I played Harold Matts and SG Ball with him and played with him all through our school years. He was one of my good mates.

“We went our separate ways a bit after school as you do but every time I saw him I'd go up and say g'day.

“I only saw him a month ago at the Farmer's Market in Shellharbour. A month later he's no longer with us and that's shattering. I just feel so much for his family and all his mates because he was a kind young bloke.”

Read more: Why footy still matters as league family grieves Tory Brunning

Brunning was selected in the Australian Combined High Schools under 15s team in 2011 and formed a formidable front-row combination with Lawrie at schoolboy level and with the Steelers.

The 21-year-old Shellharbour product couldn't speak highly enough of Brunning, on and off the park.

“I went to [Illawarra Sports High] in year eight and he came that same year in the year above me,” Lawrie said.

"We played Steelers together, we played GIO and All-Schools and all our school footy together. We always worked together as a front-row combination.

“No one could say a bad word about him, he loved a joke and a laugh, loved being around the boys and he was just such a top bloke.” 

Read more: Dapto footballer on verge of rep career before his shock death

Lawrie will make his first top-grade appearance of the season against the Raiders in Mudgee on Sunday and said he's never been more aware of how privileged he is to take the field in the NRL.

“It does give you a lot of perspective,” Lawrie said.

“It's a reminder that you can’t take anything for granted. You never know when you're time could be up.

“My day could be tomorrow, it could be 10 years from now, it could be 50 years time. You just never know. 

“That's what I've tried to take into this week and these last few days, take each day as it comes, cherish the moment, cherish your loved ones. That's what you've got to try and take out of it.”

The Dapto Canaries will hold a memorial service for Brunning at Dapto Leagues Club at 2pm on Friday for those who wish to pay their respects. 

Brunning’s family in his hometown of Waitara in New Zealand have also started a fund in an effort to bring Tory home to be laid to rest with donors having already contributed almost $25,000.

People can donate at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/bring-tory-brunning-home-to-waitara#