Keith Barnes: Death of Hall of Fame footy icon known as 'Golden Boots' throws the NRL into mourning

Rugby league is mourning the loss of one of its true greats with the news that Keith Barnes has died aged 89.

Nicknamed 'Golden Boots' due to his outstanding goalkicking skills, the Tigers legend played 194 games during a 13-year career with Balmain from 1955 to 1968, slotting home an incredible 742 goals - including 11 in a single match.

Barnes - who was born in Wales and came to Australia aged 15 - also starred in 12 matches for NSW and made 17 appearances for the Kangaroos national side.

He filled a range of high-profile roles in the game after retiring as a player, becoming a TV commentator, the CEO of Balmain and managing the Kangaroos' 1990 tour of Great Britain and France.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys paid tribute to the all-time great after his death at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital.

'Keith was one of the greatest fullbacks the game has ever seen,' V'landys said on Monday. 

'A wonderful goalkicker and prolific point scorer, he was slight in stature but built with extraordinary courage.

'The stories of Keith's skills but also importantly his leadership are renowned across the game, having captained the Kangaroos in 14 Test matches.

'Keith's legend continued well after his playing career. He was instrumental in guiding so many of the game's great players – particularly through his long association with Balmain.'

Barnes was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996 in recognition of his 'service to rugby league as a player and administrator'.

He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and had a stand named after him at Balmain's famous home ground, Leichhardt Oval, in 2009.