Former rugby league star Neville Glover OAM has died at the age of 70.
Glover, who represented both New South Wales and Australia as a winger, suffered a short illness and unfortunately lost his health battle on Thursday.
His name dominated the game in the 1970s and 80s, playing 121 times for the Parramatta Eels and 13 games for the Penrith Panthers across a nine-year career.
Glover represented Australia twice and NSW once in 1979 against Great Britain.
After making his debut in 1975, he went on to score 58 tries across his career.
The Eels released a statement on Friday morning, extending their condolences to Glover’s family and friends.
“The Parramatta Eels are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Life Member and Parramatta Eels Hall of Fame inductee, Neville Glover OAM,” the club said.
“We extend our condolences to Neville’s family and friends in this difficult time.
“Forever Eel #340.”
Parramatta premiership winner Peter Wynn told Wide World of Sports that it was a sad day for the Eels.
“He was a lovely bloke and he was Parra through and through – very popular among the group. It’s a sad day for the club,” he said.
In what were tough circumstances for Parramatta fans, the winger dropped a crucial ball against Manly in the 1976 grand final.
If he had caught the pass they could have scored and gone on to win the game – at the time they were trailing 11-10.
Manly held on to a 13-10 victory, denying the Eels’ their first club premiership.
In 2002, Glover was selected in the team of the greatest Eels players, known as “Parramatta Legends”.
Glover played amongst some of the game’s greatest ever players including Wynn, Brett Kenny, Peter Sterling, Ray Price, and Bob O’Reilly.
Following his rugby league career, he went into coaching before becoming a police officer.
Glover was a senior sergeant in charge of all Hunter Region police prosecutors in NSW.
In 2018, Glover was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to rugby league and the community.