John Gibbs has temporarily stepped away from ABC Sport after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
The 70-year-old, a Manly legend and widely known rugby league broadcaster, is putting his work behind the microphone on hold while he concentrates on his health and starts treatment. He was still part of the ABC’s coverage on Sunday as Parramatta beat the Wests Tigers 16-13, with few listeners aware he had been unwell.
The news was revealed on Monday night by ABC Sport’s chief rugby league commentator Andrew Moore, a close friend of Gibbs.
‘John Gibbs called me this afternoon to confirm something he had been fearing for a while,’ an emotional Moore said.
‘He has been diagnosed with cancer. He has asked me to let you know. He has been feeling off for a couple of months … lack of hunger, energy. He has lost 10 per cent of his body weight.’
‘You’d never know he was suffering. He knows he is in for a fight and up to it.
‘I called my first ever game with him in the 1990s. I get a great kick out of working with him.
‘We are family. As I discovered a year ago. The weight of support from the ABC team – executives, colleagues, listeners. It’s significant, it’s powerful. It’s amazing and it helps.
‘He won’t be working with us this weekend. We don’t know what the rest of the season looks like.
‘Spare a thought for our mate John Gibbs. Get well, mate. We love you.’
Gibbs is due to meet specialists on Friday, when he is expected to learn more about his treatment plan.
A former Sea Eagles halfback, Gibbs retired in 1981 after 87 games for Manly across six seasons. Born in Manly, he came through the club’s junior system and made his first-grade debut in 1976. He represented NSW in 1978 and was chosen for Australia’s Kangaroo tour that same year, although he did not play a Test.
Injury brought his football career to an early end, but he soon built a second life in broadcasting and became one of the most familiar voices in Sydney sports radio. Over four decades, he worked with 2UE, 2GB and ABC Sport, while also calling rugby union and making regular television appearances.
Before moving to 2GB’s rugby league coverage with Darryl Brohman and Jon Harker in 2000, he was part of 2UE’s Sports Today program. He later became a regular in the ABC Sport rugby league lineup alongside Moore, Luke Lewis, Matthew Elliott and Tim Gavel.
Gibbs was inducted into the Northern Beaches Sporting Hall of Fame in 2003 and recently reunited with former colleagues during celebrations for the Continuous Call Team’s 40th anniversary.
His diagnosis sparked a wave of support from listeners who have followed both his playing days and his long media career.
‘Horrible news, we were all shocked to the bones last year with Andrew Moore and now Gibbsy,’ one fan wrote.
‘When you listen and laugh and spend so much time with these guys on the radio, it really feels personal. Good luck with the fight, John Gibbs.’
Another listener wrote: ‘Get well soon, Gibbsy! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Weekends won’t be the same without you!’
A longtime friend also backed him to come through the battle.
‘Thinking of you & your family, Gibbsy. I’ve known you for almost 40 years and I’m positive you will beat this, thanks to your spirit & resilience,’ he wrote.
Another supporter remembered the flair and personality Gibbs carried from the field into the commentary box.
‘I love listening to Gibbsy. He is just the same bloke who could run and score tries with his socks down and that hair!’ the fan wrote.
‘His sense of humour and enthusiasm in the commentary are always a joy to listen to. We wish him well.’
