League Legend Jack Gibson Dead at 79

[westdog54]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=560466

While the Kangaroos secured a wonderful 28-12 victory over the Kiwis in the Centenary Test, the euphoria has been numbed by the news that legendary coach Jack Gibson had passed away two hours before the match, after a two year battle with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Gibson revolutionised rugby league coaching, and was recently named as the coach of the ARL/NSWRL/NRL team of the century.

Fans of The 12th Man will know him as 'the supercoach'. Indeed he was. He will be sorely missed.

RIP Jack Gibson.

[The Coon Dog]

Well said westdog54!!

Certainly the 12th man skit tends to stick in my mind.

'Pearce off Jack, Gibbs on'

'What did you say?'

'Pearce off Jack, Gibbs on'

'Don't you tell me to piss off **** nuckle'

[The Doctor]

Jack Gibson was a fantastic coach.

In his 3 years at Parramatta 1981-3 they won the permiership each year. That team became legendary with names such as Sterling, Kenny, Grothe, Ella, Price, Cronin. What a team they were.

It is interesting to note that in the 5 years prior Parramatta were a team that made finals but couldn't crack the big one. In fact prior to Gibson's arrival they had never won the premiership.

On his arrival he immediately sacked several big name players. He invested in the precocious youth the club had but seemed reluctant to use in previous years. Half way through the 1981 season Parramatta had roughly a 6-6 win/loss record and even a spot in the finals was far from certain. Then somehow it all clicked and the rest is history.

In the mid 70's he made Eastern Suburbs the super team and took them to 2 premierships. 5 premierships inside 10 years at 2 clubs. A mighty effort. Those premierships sides also handed out some healthy shellackings, especially to the big spending, big name Manly sides.

Rugby League played the Gibson way was actually a good game.

[The Coon Dog]

It was somewhat disappointing that a true legend of the game wasn't shown the level of respect he commanded by a mindless few who felt the need to shout ot & make themselves heard during the minutes silence!!!

[ledge]

It was somewhat disappointing that a true legend of the game wasn't shown the level of respect he commanded by a mindless few who felt the need to shout ot & make themselves heard during the minutes silence!!!

Rugby, what you expect, all brawn no brains!