RUGBY league legend Ron Massey has died after a long battle with cancer.

Massey, 86, passed away on Monday morning, and will go down as one of the greatest coaching influences in the game’s history.

Renowned as one of rugby league’s foremost thinkers, Massey was Jack Gibson’s assistant during his coaching stints with the Roosters, Parramatta and was Cronulla CEO in 1990-91.

Massey was a crucial element in Easts’ back-to-back premiership wins in 1974 and 1975, as well as the Eels three titles in 1981, ’82 and ’83.

Round 20

He and Gibson were the first league coaches to look to American football for an edge on the competition, conducting study trips to the States and adopting the methods of NFL legends Vince Lombardi and Dick Nolan.

Sydney’s third-tier competition the Ron Massey Cup has carried his name since 2013 in honour of his contribution to rugby league.

Massey was also a founding member of the Men of League Foundation, the charity set up 2002 to provide assistants to people at all levels of the game.

Jack Gibson (L) with right-hand man Ron Massey in 2001. Source: News Limited

A long list of NRL figures have paid visits to Massey’s hospital bed in recent weeks, including Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, Sharks skipper Paul Gallen and Eels legend Michael Cronin.

Massey has long been a confidante of some of the game’s biggest names, forming a strong bond with Stuart and Broncos mentor Wayne Bennett over the last 30 years.

He was by Bennett’s side in the coach’s box during the Dragons 2010 grand final triumph, when the club ended a 31-year premiership drought.

Gallen also credits Massey with delivering the home truths that saw him turn his career around when the pair first met in 2007.

After first being “called every name under the sun”, Gallen and Massey stayed in close contact over the years, with the Sharks skipper revealed he visited Massey on the eve of Cronulla’s finals campaign, introducing four-year-old son Kody to the coaching colossus.

“It was good to see (Massey) the other day, probably for the last time I’d say,” Gallen told foxsports.com.au two weeks ago.

“It was tough to see him that way, he’s not in good shape.

“I took my little boy to see him for the first time, he met him for the first time and that made it all the harder.

“He’s a great man and I’m really grateful I got to take my little boy to meet him.”

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has announced that a minute’s silence will be held ahead of both preliminary finals this weekend in honour of Massey.

“The greatest tribute I can give to Ron is that the game would not be what it is today without him,” Greenberg said.

“He was a pioneering figure and a visionary in many aspects.

“The game will certainly miss him but the legacy of what he contributed will be forever prominent.”

Massey is survived by wife Patty and two sons Luke and Paul.

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