Roosters premiership-winning forward Barry "Bunny" Reilly has passed away, aged 74.
Regarded as one of the toughest players to have pulled on an Eastern Suburbs jersey, Reilly had been battling a number of health issues and was receiving regular dialysis treatment.
A member of the Eastern Suburbs 1974 and 1975 grand final winning teams, Reilly played 198 first grade matches for the club between 1967 and 1979.
Reilly also played seven matches for Cronulla in 1972 but his heart belonged to the Roosters and he remained involved with the club after retirement, including a stint as caretaker coach in 1990.
He was named in the Roosters team of the century.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Big Hitter: Reilly was notorious for putting on bruising hits on his opponents, as evidenced by the state of this Parramatta player.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Backing Up: Reilly, left, looks to the great Arthur Beetson in support.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Handful: Nothing seemed to faze Barry 'Bunny' Reilly, pictured here taking on multiple St George defenders, keeping the ball alive in his right arm.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Drought Breakers: The 1974 Premiership winning team, the first to do so since 1945. Barry Reilly is pictured second from the right in the back row.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Front and Centre: Barry Reilly modelling here for a Rugby League magazine poster in 1976.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Ball Player: 'The Axe' spins around in a tackle, looking to offload the ball to a teammate before Canterbury defenders have a chance to stop him.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Packing Down: Barry Reilly packing down in a scrum at hooker alongside front rower Ian Mackay (right).
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Lap of Honour: Picture on the right side holding the JJ Giltinan Shield, Reilly celebrates the 1975 Grand Final victory with Easts teammates.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Champagne Rugby League: Reilly celebrates alongside Arthur Beetson as they watch Head Coach Jack Gibson feeding some champagne to John Peard.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Back to Back Champs: The 1975 Roosters are regarded as one of the greatest Rugby League teams of all time. Barry Reilly, a key figure in the Club's successes of the 1970s, is pictured far right, back row.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Breakthrough: Reilly makes a break against St George, looking for the support of teammates.
Barry Reilly Gallery
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Battle of the Beaches: Another Easts and Manly match in May of 1974. The Roosters eventually ran away with a 15-5 victory. Reilly is pictured far left in the defensive line, looking to get back in the thick of it.
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