Ray Blacklock dead: Former Penrith, Newtown and Canberra winger loses battle with illness
Rugby league is mourning the death of a “wonderfully talented footballer” — and great mate Phil Gould has led the tributes.
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Tributes led by Phil Gould have flowed for former Penrith, Newtown and Canberra winger Ray Blacklock, who died after a long illness aged 65.
Born in Oberon, Blacklock played 87 first grade games, including the famous 1981 grand final for Newtown against Parramatta.
He is the uncle of former St George Illawarra try scoring freak, Nathan Blacklock.
Blacklock confronted two major medical issues over the past six years.
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He had three bones protruding into his spinal cord before doctors then diagnosed him with Multi System Atrophy (MSA) type C, a rare neurological disorder that impairs the body’s involuntary functions. It shares many symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.
In May 2015, Blacklock was told he had 16 months to live.
Asked at the time why he didn’t cry out for help, Blacklock said: “I didn’t think people cared about me anymore. Old news, I just gave up on myself.”
Blacklock formed an iconic wing combination with fellow Jets winger, John ‘Chicka’ Ferguson, during a brief stint at Henson Park in 1981 and 1982.
“Ray was a great bloke and a wonderfully talented footballer,” former Panthers teammate Lou Zivanovic said.
“He lived life to the full and will be a sad loss for his family, friends and rugby league.”
Gould told The Daily Telegraph: “Ray and I moved from Penrith together in 1981 to play with the Newtown Jets. It’s here where Ray really made his name. He was an exciting winger with rare football instincts and was a prolific try scorer.
“The combination he forged with fellow winger John ‘Chicka’ Ferguson was legendary and a big reason the Jets went through to the grand final that season. Ray was an outstanding footballer.
Few people knew that in the 1981 Grand Final, Newtown Jets winger Ray Blacklock played the entire second half with a broken arm. Extremely tough individual.
— PhilGould15 (@PhilGould15) October 27, 2020
Ray Blacklock images. Ray was captain of Panther first ever premiership team in 1978 when he led the Under 23s to success. He made his name at the Newtown Jets and his combination with John ‘Chicka’ Ferguson was legendary. pic.twitter.com/bjjEGwiK0s
— PhilGould15 (@PhilGould15) October 27, 2020
“It was definitely difficult to see him suffer — such a marvellous athlete struck down with such a disabling physical affliction. Yet he was without any bitterness whatsoever.
“He was a proud and wonderful man; a fiercely loyal friend to all. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was a great player, great bloke, great mate. We shared some fun.”
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Blacklock made his first grade debut for Penrith back in 1976 before captaining the Panthers’ under-23s team to a premiership two years later.
He was on the SCG when the infamous semi-final brawl erupted between his Jets and Manly. Newtown advanced to the grand final that year but eventually fell 20-11 to Parramatta, the Eels’ inaugural first grade title.
Former NRL star David Liddiard said: “Ray was my hero. He was the reason I played footy. I’m going to miss you Bundy. I’m absolutely gutted.”
Penrith tweeted on Wednesday: “Former Panthers winger Ray Blacklock passed away this morning after a long battle with illness. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. #Vale.”
Former Panthers winger Ray Blacklock passed away this morning after a long battle with illness. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.#Vale pic.twitter.com/kpAGKsJd73
— Penrith Panthers (@PenrithPanthers) October 27, 2020
A Jets spokesman added: “We all have great memories of Ray Blacklock and John Ferguson as a wing pairing for Newtown in 1981.”
Organisers of a fundraiser in 2015 raised $160,000 and offered Blacklock the chance to travel anywhere in the world to live a lifelong dream. Instead he chose to meet the NSW State of Origin team, such was his love of rugby league.
Originally published as Ray Blacklock dead: Former Penrith, Newtown and Canberra winger loses battle with illness