RIP John Bilbija

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Former Balmain, Wests Magpies and South Sydney forward John Bilbija passed away on Sunday, yet another victim of early onset dementia aged 65.

RIP

 

[innsaneink]

RIP John... one tough hombre

 

[happy_tiger]

RIP John
Condolences to his family and friends

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Sad. And people wonder why there’s such a crackdown on head contact. RIP.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Thank You JB for the memories Mission Accomplished Planet Earth.

 

[dazza65]

A bit more info. Very sad.

'Was not the same guy we knew': Former league hard man John Bilbija dies after 'sad' decline — Wide World of Sports

Former Balmain, Wests Magpies and South Sydney forward John Bilbija has died - yet another victim of early onset dementia.

apple.news

 

[jadtiger]

Very sad to see this,John was a very tough player and sadly his health deteriorated because of that fact.Condolences to his wife family and friends at this tragic time.

 

[upthetigers]

This game is not going be around for much longer.

 

[Buttface]

RIP JB

 

[gallagher]

RIP, very tough, no nonsense type. it must be terrible seeing a loved one deteriorate so quickly

 

[Buttface]

Thank You JB for the memories Mission Accomplished Planet Earth.

I had that card. I remember the 132/132.
I also had his his Hancock on the white v in my Magpies jersey when kids could run on the ground at full time.
Thanks for the entertainment JB.

 

[Suzie-Q]

65 is very young. Condolences to family and friends

 

[Bellend]

Really nice bloke very sad for his Family.

 

[Flippedy]

Very sad news, RIP John 🙏🏼

 

[Dr_Ice]

He was my favourite player in 86/87 in the back row with John Elias.

 

[Winston Churchill]

He was my favourite player in 86/87 in the back row with John Elias.

Damn just hearing this now. That 86/87 team was full of hard nuts. Elias and Bilb were among the favourites from that mid 80s era. No bullshit players. I can't stand how soft NRL and the prima donna's have become today but moments like this make you realise those head knocks aren't worth it for a game. Condolences to the family.

 

[Tucker]

This game is not going be around for much longer.

Yes I fear that.
Sad news about John.
Another hard man who has died young.