The Cumberland Throw is saddened to learn of the passing of Eels legend, Ron Lynch.
Born in 1939, Ron grew up in the NSW country town of Young. After moving to Forbes for work, he came to prominence in rugby league circles by gaining selection for the Country team and from there earned a NSW jersey.
Nicknamed “Thirsty”, Ron arrived at Parramatta in 1961, and played in a team which won just three games all season. Nonetheless, he would forge ahead with his representative career by playing for City Seconds, NSW and Australia.
Lynch would ultimately gain 12 caps for Australia, in an era where the immortal John Raper had a mortgage on the lock position.
From 1962 to 1965, Parramatta became finals regulars and Lynch was part of one of the most respected packs in the competition. During those years he rarely missed a game.
Ron Lynch
“Thirsty” would go on to play the majority of his career at the Eels, departing for Penrith after captaining Parra in their 1971 finals loss to the Dragons. He played 194 first grade games, mostly at lock or second row, but his time at the club also a included a rare game or two at prop, five-eighth and centre.
Lynch’s leadership was highly regarded and he was appointed Parramatta captain/coach in 1970. Though the dual role was short lived, he retained the captaincy after the club engaged Ian Walsh as coach in 1971. He also captained the Panthers in his final two seasons of first grade, and played every game for them in those years before retiring at the end of 1973.
A black and white newspaper image of Ron
In 1970, Ron had the distinction of being honoured with Life Membership of Parramatta, remarkably whilst he was still playing. The honours continued decades later when he was a 2003 inductee to the Eels Hall of Fame.
On a personal note, I remember watching Ron in the last few years of his career at Parra. But my respect for him was mostly shaped by my father speaking in awe about Ron’s toughness during an era that took a physical toll on the players. Without question, “Thirsty” was also one of the genuine characters of rugby league, a bloke that others enjoyed spending time with.
On behalf of The Cumberland Throw I’d like to extend our condolences to Ron’s family and friends. He’s a man fondly remembered by many thousands of Parra supporters. Forever player number 197.
Sixties
We regularly came last before Ron joined. In quick succession we signed Brian Hambly and Billy Rayner. Ken Thornett was recruited from England having first made his name in Rugby Union. His brother Dick came directly from Rugby Union. We became regular finalists, without making a grand finalist in that era. Ken Thornett was our regular outstanding performer, Ron Lynch our next most consistent performer. He was involved for eighty minutes, carried the ball sytaight and hard and one of the game’s heaviest ever front on tacklers. One of our giants.
Thanks for sharing Noel
Well said mate an all time favourite of mine should have been in our all time side pretty sure Dean pay got in instead
I can only remember his latter years at Parra. Still a formidable player, but the reverence that my dad had for him, and also many others that saw more of him than I did, was something that I will always remember. His record also speaks for itself.
I grew up watching Ron play at Cimberland oval, he made a significant impression on me as a young footballer R.I.P. Ron Lynch
Thanks for your reply Mike
I can’t remember the circumstances why he left Parramatta and went to Penrith maybe coach Ian Walsh just guessing
We have lost a great person & player.
As a youngster from North mead and the weakly walk to Cumberland oval and the splintered seats around the oval along with my late dad over time, having the watch of many great player eels’ players of the time go past my mind and memory often comes forward as we walked past the creek below the mill on the other side of the road, then past the Gail and & leagues club and then to Cumberland oval for all the matches and future players.
To me its a sad day to losing a player, a genuine eels player who gave his all on the paddock but also amongst the team which brought thirsty to the fore at each games end.
For me a sad day but one to remember the players of the time who all did what they could and to their best of abilities, and held their heads and hearts high.
Rest in peace Thirsty, you deserve the accolades of a true Eels legend and player.
Cheers to your family and all.
I know that players of that generation were special to the club Col, and obviously to you and your family. Thank you.
Well said Colin. Thirsty was one of those blokes who always gave 100%.
One of the Club’s ALL TIME greats..
RIP Ron,great Eels stalwart.Remember the lads coming to P’matta Bowl Thursday nights after training & session @ the Family Rydalmere
Those were the days when you could interact with players like that. Cheers John.
Very sad news. Wonderful player and such an icon in a golden era of outstanding eels forwards. Had the pleasure of meeting him and he was such a gentleman. R.I.P thirsty.
I never had the opportunity to meet him mate. Glad that you did.
Started following the Eels in Ron Lynch’s reign. High work rate, hard as nails, consistently good footballer. Rest in peace, not forgotten.
Well said BDon.
One of my all time favourite players.
Loved some of the stories when he was a garbo, he would down 12 schooners the night before, be on the garbo run from 4 in the morning and amazed everyone how he could do it. A great shame he was in the shadow of Johnny Raper or he would have played many more games for Australia.
Broke his leg in a trial game before the 63 Kangaroo Tour which he was a moral to be selected for. From memory Kevin Smyth a mate of my father from the Magpies went in his stead.
Can’t remember meeting Thirsty, but I must have I had his autograph like also those other players of that era…..if I can only or ever find that autograph book I would donate it to TCT sixties.
Just on that Kangaroo side we had the Thornett Bros, Brian Hamby, Barry Rushworth and if that accident hadn’t taken place Ron Lynch…..that would have been 5 players on what many would regard as the greatest side to leave our shores.
Thanks for the reply Poppa. Parra really did have a team to challenge the best in the early 60s. It’s a shame they never qualified for the grand final. I also had an autograph book filled with player autographs (from either 70 or 71). My father worked with Bob the Bear O’Reilly and Bob took the book to training and got all of the players to sign it. I can remember trying to read some of the autographs, which wasn’t easy. I’m not sure whatever happened to the book, but I wish I had it now.
Although a broken collarbone on the eve of the 1963 Kangaroos toured cost Thirsty a certain place in the Australian squad, Ron toured with the 1967 Kangaroos, a team that included my former business partner of over 20 years, Kevin Goldspink.
Goldy was a great fan of Thirsty’s also.
Ron (Thirsty) Lynch –one of my all time Parramatta Rugby League players. RIP Thirsty….was the heart and soul of the Club from 1961 until early seventies. Along with Grumpy Hambly, The Thornett brothers, Billy Rayner, Leo Toohey. Thirsty ignited my interest in Rugby League. I was at the SCG to see him regather a Bobby Bugden shot at goal that bounced of the goal post and score the try that enabled Parra to win its first ever First Grade semi-final in 1963..I was there at the Sydney Sports Ground when Ron broke his shoulder which cost him a place in the 1963 Kangaroos team. He was replaced by Kevin Smythe. I was at Henson Park Newtown when Thirsty carried Parra fullback Laurie Wakefield –he picked him up in his arms and carried the fullback to the sideline for treatment by the St John Ambulance Zambuck on the sideline..in 1970. Thanks for the memories THIRSTY….RIP..An all time Parramatta great.
Apologies Pete, I just read your post after completing mine and we crossed over a bit, I thought it was a broken leg but I will sway to your better memory. i was at that game of the Bugden kick and the resultant try, which I had forgotten until I read your post.
We will remember him, that’s for sure.
Parra Pete, I’m so pleased that you have replied here. Your Eels history contributions are legendary. And the anecdote about Ron carrying Wakefield to the sideline, that almost draws tears.
I saw Leo Toohey at the BGA reunion a couple of years back but never got the chance to speak with him. I tell you what, he’s aged well.
Thanks mate
and he is a great bloke too Leo. One of my all time favourite Parramatta players. Leo played at Canterbury and Norths after leaving Parra.
Cheers Pete. I remember Leo playing for Canterbury.
At the Sydney Sports Ground there was a place you could sit and be very close to the playing field. Parra v Souths late 60’s when the Bunnies had that gun and feral pack. Ron Lynch took them on for 80 minutes, by himself it seemed. You could hear all the banter and sledging but Ron was a man of few words, his toughness and courage didn’t need broadcasting. I came away that day with a better understanding of what real courage looked like.
Thanks for sharing that BDon. Would have been great to watch (and hear!).
Vale Ron Lynch.
Before my time. But sounds like the type of player you want in your team. Tough as nails.
RIP
That he was Pete.
Ron was before my time, he was highly admired and respected after reading comments from those who did witness his wonderful career, As Sixties mentioned, his record speaks for itself.
He wore our colours and bled for our jersey, he was and forever will be one of ours.
RIP Ron.
Well said Joseph
I waited for ronnie to walk past me in the cumberland oval tunnel- he was more than happy to sign my rugby league program- 1967,i think.
He was always a player supporters looked to for that extra effort- players like lynch and the thornett brothers always stood out for the mighty mattas.
A great memory to have Ian. Thanks for sharing.