Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the passing of former player, Troy Dargan, following a tragic motorcycle accident in the Cook Islands on Christmas Eve, aged just 26.
Troy Junior Clifton Dargan, Rabbitohs first grade player number 1156, was born in Sydney in 1997 and played his junior football with Cabramatta and Mounties, also representing the Australian Schoolboys and NSW under 20s. He was of Cook Islands and Australian Indigenous descent (Gumbainggir).
Affectionately known as ‘Dargs’, Mr Dargan was named halfback in the 2016 Holden Cup team of the year whilst playing for Parramatta. He then later joined Brisbane and played for their reserve grade affiliated club, Norths Devils, between 2018 and 2019, before reuniting with the former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs in 2020.
Dargan captained the Rabbitohs reserve grade side in 2020-21, which was badly affected by COVID-19. He made his NRL debut against the Sydney Roosters in round three, 2020, playing 12 grade games for South Sydney including two first grade games.
The canny half also represented the Cook Islands on two occasions. Mr Dargan was contracted to the Canberra Raiders for the 2024 season.
Mr Dargan was a genuinely great guy and a talented footballer, and South Sydney is proud to have Troy represent the Club at the first grade level.
On behalf of everyone connected to the Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Troy Dargan, and our thoughts are with everyone connected to the Canberra Raiders at this tough time.
The Dargan family has asked for privacy at this difficult time, however they are raising funds to bring him home to Australia from the Cook Islands. Please click here for more information.
