- Rugby league great John ‘Chow’ Hayes has died aged 84
- Played for Western Suburbs and also coached Magpies
- Went to coach North Sydney, highly respected in the game
The rugby league world is in mourning following the death of John ‘Chow’ Hayes just days before the NRL Grand Final.
Hayes caught the eye of Western Suburbs in the NSWRL competition after making his first grade debut in 1961, later playing in three deciders against St George.
He was a tough forward who could play prop, hooker or second row.
Hayes also represented NSW in 1961.
“John was highly respected and valued and made a lifelong contribution to the game he loved at all levels,” NSWRL president Bob Millward said.
The rugby league world is in mourning following the death of John ‘Chow’ Hayes (pictured right), just days after the 2023 NRL Grand Final
Hayes (circled in red, left) played for Western Suburbs in the NSWRL competition after making his first grade debut in 1961, and soon featured in three grand finals against St George
Such was his standing in the game that Hayes was inducted as a life member of NSWRL, Western Suburbs and North Sydney
“Chow built a successful career in code and he will be sadly missed.”
Hayes was born in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west and left school at 14 to pursue both footy and panel beat work.
He played 160 games for the Magpies before retiring in 1970, where he turned his attention to coaching.
He was in charge of the Magpies’ reserve side from 1971 to 1973, taking them to the semi-finals in his first year, before going on to coach the North Sydney Bears in 1983 and 1984.
Such was his standing in the game that Hayes was inducted as a life member of NSWRL, Western Suburbs and North Sydney.
Hayes also later became Chief Inspector of the NSW Police Force.