**Former Australian Rugby League player and Parramatta Eels legend Ron Lynch dies aged 84**
Ron Lynch, one of the most iconic figures in Australian rugby league, has sadly passed away at the age of 84. The legendary forward, who played for the Parramatta Eels from 1961 to 1973, had been suffering from a long-term illness.
**Early Life and Career**
Born in Parramatta in 1939, Lynch began his rugby league career with the Parramatta Eels in 1961. He quickly established himself as a tough and uncompromising forward, known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to inspire his teammates.
Over the course of his 13-year career, Lynch played 238 games for the Eels and also represented the City, Country, and NSW teams. He made 12 appearances for the Australian national team, including the 1967/68 Kangaroo tour.
**A Parramatta Legend**
Lynch was a key member of the Parramatta Eels teams that reached the semi-finals in the 1960s. He was known for his leadership both on and off the field, and was briefly the club’s captain-coach in 1970.
In recognition of his contributions to the club, Lynch was made a Life Member of the Parramatta Eels in 1970 and was inducted into the Eels Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
**Tributes from the Rugby League Community**
Lynch’s passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from the rugby league community.
- “Ron ‘Thirsty’ was one of Parramatta’s all-time greats,” said former teammate Denis Fitzgerald.
- “He was also a great family man who was very highly regarded and respected throughout the Parramatta community.”
- “The RLPA sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ron Lynch,” tweeted the Rugby League Player Association.
Ron Lynch will be remembered as one of the greatest forwards to ever play the game. His passion, commitment, and leadership inspired a generation of players and fans, and his legacy will live on in the annals of Australian rugby league.
Mehek