season. O'Neill coached South Sydney in 1977 but could win only one of the last eighteen games and he stood down. During his playing days, O'Neill had developed a highly profitable building businesses along with Rabbitoh teammate Gary Stevens, which by 1977 would prevent him from devoting his attention fully to coaching. In the 1980s, he used the profits from this business to build a home at Lake Conjola. Death and accolades In 1995, after being named in Australia's best rugby league team since the limited tackle rule was introduced, O'Neill was diagnosed with cancer. He fought a long battle, but died on 9 August 1999 at the age of 56. It is estimated that 4,000 people attended his funeral, showing the respect in which he was held. In 1990, O'Neill was named in the front row for Manly in their best team from 1947 to 1990. Later in 2006 he was named in the front row for Manly's 60th anniversary Dream Team. In 2004 he was named by Souths in their South Sydney Dream Team, consisting of 17 players and a coach representing the club from 1908 through to 2004.In February 2008, O'Neill was named in the list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia. Footnotes External links John O'Neill at eraofthebiff.com 1943 births 1999 deaths Australia national rugby league team players Australian rugby league coaches Australian rugby league players Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players Recipients of the Legion of Honour Rugby league players from Griffith, New South Wales Rugby league props South Sydney Rabbitohs coaches South Sydney Rabbitohs players South Sydney Rabbitohs captains