TRAGIC NEWS: FORMER PENRITH PANTHERS STAR JOHN FARRAGHER, THE FOOTBALLER WHO WON PENRITH’S HEART, DIES AGED 68 🏉💔F ormer teammates and club officials have paid emotional tribute to him. Panthers CEO **Brian Fletcher described Farragher as “a true gentleman who embodied everything great about the Penrith spirit — loyalty, kindness, and courage.”

It is with deep sorrow that we report the passing of John Farragher OAM, aged 68 — a man whose life and legacy became intertwined with the spirit of the Penrith Panthers and the wider rugby league community.

A Dream, A Tragedy, A New Path

Born in Gilgandra, New South Wales, Farragher’s journey to the top-grade began when he joined the Panthers for the 1978 season as a prop forward. He made his first-grade debut in round 4.
However, in just his seventh appearance (round 10 vs the Newtown Jets at Henson Park) a collapse of the scrum left him with a catastrophic spinal injury.
This event transformed his life: from an up-and-coming footballer to a quadriplegic.

Yet, John’s story did not end there. Rather than disappear from the sport he loved, he became one of its most remarkable embodiments of resilience, loyalty and community.

The Heart of Panthers

After extensive rehabilitation, John returned to the Panthers organisation in 1982, taking on a public-relations/greeting role at the club’s Leagues Club.
Over more than four decades he became a fixture at the club — a warm, welcoming presence, known to members and visitors alike. His contribution was recognised in 2016 when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to rugby league and the Penrith community.

In 2022 he was elected as a Director on the Panthers Board — a fitting acknowledgement of the respect he had earned across the club.

John’s legacy lives on in the club’s annual “John Farragher Award for Courage & Determination”, given to players who best exemplify his qualities of resilience, humility and commitment.

Tributes & Reflection

Upon his passing on 1 November 2025 (after a cardiac arrest), the Penrith Panthers issued a statement expressing deep sadness and gratitude for the extraordinary life he led.

Club chairman Peter Graham said:

“John Farragher was, and will always be, a cornerstone of the Panthers family. His courage, warmth and commitment to our club inspired generations of players, staff and members. He was a true gentleman who represented everything our club stands for.”

Former teammates, club officials and members from around the rugby‐league community have echoed those sentiments. His life will be remembered not by the number of games he played (seven first-grade appearances) but by the depth of his impact. Why His Story Resonates

.Loyalty: Despite the devastating injury ending his playing career early, John never turned his back on the Panthers. He devoted decades of service off the field.

• Kindness: Known for his friendly demeanour, greeting fans, assisting members, and being a positive presence at the club.
• Courage: His capacity to rebuild his life, embrace new roles, and help others stands as an enduring example.
• Community impact: His injury also became a turning point for player welfare; improvements in first‐aid and medical preparedness in rugby league were prompted in part by the severity of his accident. In Memory John Farragher’s story teaches us that the measure of a life in sport is not just wins and appearances, but character, perseverance and connection. At age 68, he leaves behind a legacy that will continue through the Panthers’ culture and in the many people he touched.

His passing leaves a profound void in the Penrith community — yet his spirit will endure in every young player who receives the award in his name, every club member who greets a familiar face at the club, and every person reminded by his example that adversity can become opportunity.

Final Thoughts

While we mourn the man we lost, we should also celebrate the remarkable journey he undertook: from young prop from Gilgandra, to club legend, to everyday hero. In the words of the club’s CEO (Brian Fletcher) — as reported by media, he was “a true gentleman who embodied everything great about the Penrith spirit — loyalty, kindness, and courage.”

May John Farragher rest in peace. His contribution to rugby league and to the Penrith community will long be felt, and long be honoured.