RIP Kato Ottio

When someone is taken so young it highlights the frailty of mankind and sends a message to us all of our own mortality.

I watched this young man progress through his short rugby league career with keen interest. He was a late starter, although like all the coastal Tatana kids he played footy in the village, but he won gold in Volleyball at the 2013 SP Games.

When he got more serious about league he played for the Dobo Warriors, an interesting choice as this club has a short history in the Port Moresby Rugby League competition and was created by the Koiari people in the mountains near Sogeri behind Port Moresby (more famous as the end of the Kokoda Trail). Links between Tatana and the Koiari are not uncommon though.

He got his chance at the Raiders after showing potential with the PNG Hunters in the QCup where he played left centre. In 2016, he was named in the NSW Cup team of the year after scoring 29 tries in 23 games on the left wing for the Mounties that year.

He couldn't crack the Raiders NRL team, partially due to injuries which largely ruined his 2017 season, and after a mixed bag in the World Cup for PNG was offered a contract at Widnes Vikings.

Titans fans have always had a soft-spot for PNG players, largely on the back of David Mead's contributions and Nene McDonald to a lesser extent but I'm sure that you all will join me in sending our thoughts, and prayers for those so-inclined, to Kato's family.

I was very sad to read about Kato's passing and especially in the circumstances it happened in.

RIP from the rugby league community across the globe.

Sad news indeed. I guess there can be some solace that can be drawn upon in knowing that he passed on doing what he loved best.

R.I.P. Mr Ottio

I hear the Raiders may honour his memory by supporting some type of scholarship for future PNG players.