Former Balmain, Wests Magpies, and South Sydney forward John Bilbija has died at age 65, succumbing to early onset dementia after a decade of battling the debilitating disease.
The ex-footballer, who had lost much of his cognitive ability, died peacefully in his sleep at his Penrith home.
‘It’s very sad but may have been a blessing in disguise because John was not the same guy we knew and loved,’ former teammate Wayne Innes told Channel Nine.
‘He personified toughness on the paddock but it doesn’t matter how tough you are – once you contract this illness, it gets you all.’
Bilbija was part of a worrying wave of former players that developed dementia later in life, including his former South Sydney teammate Mario Fenech.
John’s wife of 43 years Michelle, recently opened up about how challenging it was caring for the former footy star in his latter years.
‘We knew as he grew older he’d have arthritis and knee replacements – but we never expected this,’ she said.
Bilbija needed full-time care as he could no longer feed, dress, or talk.
She consulted a lawyer about the head injuries that left him in this state, linking his condition with fellow players Ian Roberts and Fenech, who also suffer brain issues.
Former first grade forward John Bilbija battled dementia for a decade before succumbing to the disease with almost no cognitive ability left
Footy fans and the clubs he played for have started delivering tributes after Bilbija’s tragic death after a decade of struggling
John started as a teenage soccer enthusiast before switching to rugby, joining Birchgrove juniors in 1978.
He was graded with Balmain Tigers in 1979, making his first-grade debut in 1980. After two seasons with Balmain, he moved to Parramatta in 1982, playing across all three grades.
In 1985, while taking a break from first-grade rugby, Bilbija was named Parramatta District A-grade Player of the Year with the Merrylands club.
He resumed his top-level career with Western Suburbs in 1986-87 and then South Sydney in 1988, retiring with 49 first-grade games.
Financial pressures forced the Bilbijas to move out of Sydney, surviving on pensions and NDIS support.
Bilbija also developed Parkinson’s Disease and agreed to donate his brain for research, hoping it might help others.
‘Hopefully some good will come out of the research they use it for,’ Michelle said.
‘If John had known the dangers, he would never have played the game.
‘There’s not enough awareness among players today … they are also bigger and stronger than the players who were around in John’s era.’
Bilbija’s former teammates Ian Roberts and Mario Fenech (pictured) are also battling brain issues in retirement
Fenech, diagnosed with early onset dementia eight years ago, has similar struggles.
Despite memory loss, Fenech, who played 274 games, was a regular on Channel Nine’s NRL Footy Show.
His wife Rebecca believes many retired players find it difficult to face the reality Fenech represents.
‘I don’t know what to say to them, really,’ she said.
‘Just help, help this game to become safer.’
Tributes for John Bilbija have started pouring in online. ‘He tried his heart out every week, always busted his a**. Vale John,’ a Magpies fan posted.
Another added, ‘He will be missed, what a good man.’
The Parramatta Eels extended their sympathies, stating, ‘We extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Bilbija – forever Parramatta Eels player #403.’
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