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Brett Kimmorley's wife Sharnie dies after cancer battle

The rugby league community is rallying behind former NRL star Brett Kimmorley following the death of his wife Sharnie.

Mrs Kimmorley, 38, was diagnosed with brain cancer in June last year. She died this week, surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her husband and their four daughters.

NRL clubs and players sent their condolences to the Kimmorley family as they struggle with their loss.

Michael Ennis, a former teammate of Kimmorley's at the Bulldogs, told Fox Sports that Mrs Kimmorley had fought her illness until the "devastating" end.

Ennis said he and his wife had spent a lot of time with the Kimmorleys, and were extremely close to them.

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"[Sharnie] fought as hard as she could until the end, and in the end the illness got her," he said.

"It's just a real tragic time for Brett and the four young girls. We are lucky in these situations to have rugby league around us, and he [Brett] has got plenty of support in that regard, but it's a difficult time for everyone, especially Brett and his four girls."

Newcastle Knights great Matthew Johns said Kimmorley - nicknamed "Noddy" throughout his 307-game playing career - was a dedicated family man.

"It's absolutely terrible. And Noddy is one of the great family men too. He was a great husband to Sharnie and those four girls, it is absolutely terrible. Here we send our deepest condolences," he said.

During his career, Kimmorley won a premiership, a Clive Churchill medal and represented NSW and Australia on numerous occasions.

Many of his former teammates and the NRL clubs he represented - including the Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm, Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights - posted messages of support following news of his wife's death.