The Parramatta Eels are saddened to hear of the passing of Eel #403, John Bilbija, following a lengthy battle with dementia.
John was a teenage soccer enthusiast before switching codes to join Birchgrove juniors in 1978. He was graded with the Balmain Tigers the following year.
Having made his first-grade debut for Balmain in 1980, he played for two seasons before joining Parramatta in 1982.
A strong second row forward and rugged defender, he represented the blue and gold in all three grades during the 1982 season, playing 1 first-grade game as a replacement, 7 reserve grade games and 17 third grade games.
John departed Parramatta the following year to take a break and played grade footy.
In 1985, he was awarded the Parramatta District A-grade Player of the Year, with the Merrylands club.
John resumed his first-grade football career with Western Suburbs in 1986-87, then South Sydney in 1988, before retiring with 49 first-grade career games to his name.
We extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Bilbija – forever Parramatta Eels player #403.