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FORMER NRL star Jacin Sinclair was found dead in his apartment yesterday, stunning the rugby league community.
Police said Sinclair, 38, had not been seen for days but his death was not suspicious. They said a post-mortem examination would be carried out to confirm a cause of death.Former teammates last night described Sinclair as a “gifted player” who had “untapped ability” during his 80 first grade game career with Balmain, Souths and the Sydney City Roosters.
Sinclair is believed to have been dead inside the apartment at Woolwich, in Sydney’s north, for several days.
A crime scene investiga- tion was still under way last night. Sinclair was found after a concerned relative contacted police.
Detectives knocked on neighbours’ doors in the quiet street, trying to piece together his last movements.
Steve Roach, the former Balmain and Australian prop, played two seasons with Sinclair at Leichhardt.
“I used to marvel at his untapped ability,” Roach said. “He could play, don’t worry about that.”
Sinclair played with the Tigers from 1991 to 1993 before spending two seasons with Souths. In 1997 he had a year with the Roosters before returning to Balmain for two final seasons.
“I know when I played against Jacin it was always a tough game,” said former Australian captain Laurie Daley. “He was ultra-competitive and a gifted player. It is very sad news.”
Sinclair played representative football in 1993 for City Origin against Country.
NRL chief executive David Gallop yesterday described Sinclair’s death as “an absolute tragedy”.
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This bloke made me look bad many times in the Balmain junior comp and I wish his family all the best in light of this untimely loss!
He was a great talent but only managed 80 top grade games in 9 years due to injury & misadventure. 45 of those were with Balmain - and (despite Alan Jones etc) he will be remembered as a favourite son of Glebe juniors RLFC!
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Just heard the news on the Big Sports Breakfast, a great loss.
I remember that Wayne Bennet rated him highly and perhaps if he went to the Broncos instead of Souths he might have ended up a superstar. -
RIP Jacin. Condolences to Jacin’s family & friends.
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Saw him come up through the grades and he was always a standout, big, strong, great short chip kick and wonderful hands. Had some issues in defense and discipline could go out the window at times. As for pure talent he was not far behind players like Marshall and Brasher. I just wonder how he would have gone if a coach like Sheens could have got him early, who knows. I have only happy memories of big Jason causing havoc at Leichhardt oval
RIP
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Absolute tragedy. Used to love watching him with the Tigers at Leichhardt.
My sympathies to his family.
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Saw him come up through the grades and he was always a standout, big, strong, great short chip kick and wonderful hands. Had some issues in defense and discipline could go out the window at times. As for pure talent he was not far behind players like Marshall and Brasher. I just wonder how he would have gone if a coach like Sheens could have got him early, who knows. I have only happy memories of big Jason causing havoc at Leichhardt oval
RIP
Absolutely right. Sheens or Bennett could have turned him into one of the players of the decade.
Very sad news.
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@Cultured Bogan:
Absolute tragedy. Used to love watching him with the Tigers at Leichhardt.
Very sad news. I always used to wonder what Jacin was up to now.
Never forget that awesome backline movement with Will Robinson in 1991 at Leichardt Oval (vs Knights? Steelers?) when Jacin flicked it behind his back and snet Robinson into score.
Very talented player. Was gutted to see him go to Souths tbh.
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Gifted and untapped potential are two very good descriptions of Jacin. He was one of my favourite players when he first came into 1st grade. A very skillful centre who was very dangerous in attack. It was always a great shame when he lost his way once AJ came on board. He could have been a rep player with the right guidance and support.
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Terrible news, RIP Jacin.
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R.I.P Jacin Sinclair
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very sad news today. great memories of Jacin Sinclair who had that ’ x ’ factor when he started out in first grade with the tigers.
R.I.P Jacin Sinclair
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Very upsetting news, much too young and very sad circumstances. My youngest brother attended school with him and I had the opportunity of seeing him play from quite early in the piece. He was a prodigious talent as a schoolboy and had the potential to become a regular representative player, alas things didn’t work out that way. He’d lived in the Hunters Hill/Woolwich area for some years and was a regular at the local watering hole. A really decent and likable young fella, which makes it all the more unfair….
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Will always remember him as a bloke who could have been anything on a footy field.
Sad day….my condolenscenes to his family.
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RIP Jacin.
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Always enjoyed watching Sinclair play for Balmain back in the day when the club was struggling. With Sinclair you could always sense he could pull something out of the hat each time he carried the ball. Another life cut tragically short, RIP Jacin.
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