The rugby league community is mourning the death of NRL hopeful Noah Johannssen at the age of just 22.
The young prop joined the North Sydney Bears ahead of the 2026 season after moving from the Wests Tigers, where he played nine NSW Cup games in 2025, but had yet to debut for the club.
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Johannssen played a NRL pre-season challenge game at the Tigers against the Bulldogs in 2025.
Noah, who was just weeks away from his 23rd birthday, would have been part of the Perth Bears feeder system with a chance to play NRL games for the expansion team in their first season in 2027.
Johannssen’s brother Tim made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers in 2024 and is currently playing for the Rabbitohs in NSW Cup.
“My f***en brother my forever love,” Tim wrote in a heartbreaking tribute to his brother.
“I’ll always be attached to you bro and I’ll always be so glad for your existence and what you did for me bro. The man you made me be and everything I have today is because you were there for me. “So f***en broken but I know I’ll see you again on the other side and you’ll always be with me in spirit, till next time my little buddy.”
The North Sydney Bears said on Sunday they were “deeply saddened by the recent passing of young Noah Johannssen.”
“Noah had been with our NSW Cup team for just five months but quickly made a lasting impression through his vibrant nature, dedication and the respect he showed to everyone around him,” the club said.
“His loss is felt deeply across our playing group, staff, and wider Bears community.
CEO Gareth Holmes said: “Noah was a young man of great character. This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Johannssen family, current and former teammates and friends.”
Johannssen’s former club the Western Suburbs Magpies also issued a statement mourning his passing.
A GoFundMe has raised more than $30,000 in support of Johannssen’s family.
