John Farragher
John Wayne Farragher was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played for the Penrith Panthers as a in the 1970s.
Playing career
A Gilgandra junior, Farragher was graded by the Penrith Panthers in the 1977 season. Penrith coach Barry Harris gave Farragher his first-grade debut in the 1978 season in his side's 9−8 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Redfern Oval in round 4.On 28 May 1978, in just Farragher's seventh appearance in the top grade, against the Newtown Jets at Henson Park in round 10 of the 1978 season, a collapsed scrum during the first half left him seriously injured. It was later revealed that he had dislocated his neck and damaged his spinal cord. Whilst surgery was able to correct the neck dislocation, he became a quadriplegic.
Post playing
In the aftermath of his injuries, a trust fund was set up to provide Farragher with the financial support needed for the rest of his life. After extensive rehabilitation he returned to work at the Panthers Penrith Leagues Club in 1982, taking on a role in public relations to greet and assist the club's members and guests. He continued to hold the role, with his charm, warmth and passion for the Panthers making him a popular and recognisable character among the club's patrons. In the 2016 Australia Day Honours, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia "for service to rugby league, and to the community of Penrith".Farragher died on 2 November 2025 at the age of 68 after a cardiac arrest at Nepean Hospital.