The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the passing of former utility forward, John Bilbija, who passed away peacefully on Sunday at his home in Penrith, aged 65.
John Bilbija was born in 1958 in Sydney. Both his parents were born in Serbia and migrated to Australia before he was born. He grew up in Sydney's west and ironically, his parents banned him from playing league because they believed the game was too rough for their son. So he played soccer for six years with the local Canley Heights Soccer Club and when he was seventeen his mates encouraged him to try out for League. With his large frame and hard-running style, Bilbija was an instant success in League and he progressed quickly from the Birchgrove Scorpions junior ranks into Balmain President's Cup team. Balmain graded him in 1979 and he made his first grade debut with the Tigers in 1980 against Cronulla (round four).
His parents always thought he was playing soccer, but he got caught out when they watched him debut for the Tigers. He later noted in an interview: “My parents were at home and happened to watch that game on TV, and when I ran onto the field you can imagine their reaction. I got into some trouble that night, let me tell you.”
After spending three years with the Tigers he moved to Parramatta in 1982, where he played one first grade game. In 1983 he represented Western Division in one game when he came on as a replacement against Southern Division at Moss Vale, in Round 1 of the Caltex NSW Country Divisional Championships. He played that year for Lithgow Workmen’s Club, and in 1984-85 he played for Merrylands in Parramatta’s Junior League. In 1985 Bilbija was named Parramatta District A-grade Player of the Year with the Merrylands club.
Western Suburbs gave him a lifeline in 1986-87 to come and play for them, where he managed 40 first grade games in his two seasons he played with the Magpies.
In 1988 he began playing with the Pride of the League, where he played 17 grade games during the season for the Rabbitohs, which includes four in first grade and all as a replacement. He made his Souths first grade debut in round two against Eastern Suburbs at Sydney Football Stadium, when he came on to replace Wayne Chisholm, to become player number 763 on our player register. He also played in one game of the National Panasonic Cup, also as a replacement.
In 1991-92 he tried his hand at coaching when he coached Western Suburbs Magpies in the Metropolitan Cup.
Mr Bilbija was a drainer by trade and over the last ten years he bravely fought dementia and developed Parkinson's Disease. He also agreed to donate his brain for research, hoping it might help others. 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 and Men/Family of League committee made several visits to him and offer help.
Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday 4 September at 10am at Pinegrove Cemetery, North Chapel, then there will be a wake at Canley Heights RSL.
On behalf of everyone connected to the Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr John Bilbija.
