The Mole: 'Hard man in a hard era' Balmain Tigers 1969 grand final hero Garry Leo dies
Wests Tigers are a club in mourning following the death of one of the heroes of Balmain's historic grand final win in 1969.
Prop Garry Leo, the only member of the team to play every game that season, died on Thursday. He was 81.
His death comes only months after the passing of another player from the same team, tough forward Joe Walsh.
READ MORE: Xerri replacement puts heat on axed star
READ MORE: Verstappen told to leave F1
READ MORE: Joey's pointed message as whiz kid takes NRL by storm
The 1969 grand final win is regarded as one of the biggest upsets in rugby league history, with a young Balmain side defeating raging hot favourites Souths, a team full of superstars.
Joe Walsh, John Spencer and Garry Leo chair Leo Nosworthy off the SCG after Balmain won the 1969 grand final. SMH
"Garry was a proud one club man who played over a decade at Balmain and racked up over 150 first grade games," former Tigers teammate Paul Cross told Wide World of Sports.
"He was a hard man in a hard era who really gave us muscle up front."
Leo also played for New South Wales against Queensland and after he finished his time with the Tigers in the mid 1970s, he went up to Newcastle where he took on a captain-coach role with Norths Newcastle.
Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Most viewed in NRL
NRL finals as it happened: Knights claim ‘famous victory’ as crazy rise continues
Tips: Warriors on notice as Dolphins given blueprint to win blockbuster
Mole’s season review: ‘Spectacular failure’ led Eels to Luai gamble that might backfire
Questionable sin-binning in spotlight as Roosters feast on hamstrung Dogs
