John Lintmeijer: Rabbitohs, Newtown Jets and Magpies remember speedy winger

Footy clubs have remembered and paid tribute to “speedy winger” John Lintmeijer who died across the weekend, with one former coach calling him a “gentleman”.

Footy clubs across Sydney’s inner west and suburbs have remembered a lightning-quick first grade player and winger who died over the weekend.

The former clubs of 50-year-old John Lintmeijer have paid tribute to a respected player and much-loved gentleman.

In a statement, the South Sydney Rabbitohs – who Lintmeijer played for in the 1992 and 1993 seasons – described him as a “speedy winger” and said the club was in mourning.

“On behalf of everyone connected with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of John Lintmeijer,” the club said.

Although a Gymea Gorillas junior – where he was selected on the wing in the club’s best ever side in 2012 – Mr Lintmeijer was graded by Souths in the 1992 season and he made his first-grade debut against the Western Suburbs Magpies that same year.

John Lintmeijer passed away over the weekend at the age of 50.

He would play 49 first and reserve-grade games across his two seasons for the Bunnies, scoring 20 tries, as Rabbitoh #821. He only played 10 first-grade matches for the club before a serious kidney disorder derailed his top-level career.

However, Lintmeijer put that setback behind him and went on to play and contribute to the lower grades with the Magpies, Illawarra Steelers and Newtown Jets.

“He was a gentleman and a lovely guy,” former Magpie Brian Cook said.

Cook coached the Magpies reserve grade in 1995 when Mr Lintmeijer joined for a solitary season with the team.

“He was a very fast player and a very tidy one too,” Mr Cook said.

John Lintmeijer (far left) training with fellow South Sydney Rabbitohs members in 1992.

Mr Lintmeijer played 18 reserve games and scored five tries for the Magpies, and his former coach remembered him as a consummate professional.

“He was always one of the first kitted out and ready to train,” Mr Cook said. “He was a nice guy and a gentleman to have around the place.

“John took great pride in his game and performance, and in everything he did.”

The Newtown Jets team who won NSWRL Metropolitan Cup. John Lintmeijer is back row, exact centre. Picture: Terry Williams

The Newtown Jets also paid homage to Mr Lintmeijer, who played for the club in 1997. Glen Dwyer, communications director for the Jets, said he was “blessed with an exceptional turn of speed”.

“John was a member of Newtown’s 1997 NSWRL Metropolitan Cup first grade premiership team and he was among that competition’s top try-scorers,” Mr Dwyer said.

“He scored a brilliant try in Newtown’s 1997 grand final victory that helped put the Jets in a winning position.”

Mr Lintmeijer is survived by his son Cooper. The Inner West Courier sends its deepest condolences to them both, and all of Mr Lintmeijer’s family and friends.