Lew Platz (born 2 October 1952) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. In his career he played for and the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels clubs and also represented Australia and Queensland on several occasions. Platz's position for the majority of his career was at but he also played at . His brother Greg Platz was also a top grade rugby league player.
Platz initially played in the Brisbane Rugby League competition with the Wynnum-Manly club, gaining selection to represent Queensland. During the 1974 Great Britain Lions tour he was selected to play for Queensland as a reserve against the tourists. Platz also played for Australia in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup. In 1978, Platz made the move to Sydney and played with Parramatta.
In 1979, he was a member of the Parramatta side which made it to the preliminary final but were defeated by eventual premiers St George.
At the end of 1980, Platz was told to find a new club by the newly appointed coach Jack Gibson. In 2017, Platz recalled being told the news he was no longer wanted at Parramatta saying âÂÂI played all the pre-season, including the last trial against Manly, when I had conjunctivitis, something I had never had before and have not had since,â Platz said. âÂÂI got a phone call at midnight after the game. âÂÂJack hereâÂÂ. I thought it was captain Steve Edge [playing a trick]. âÂÂHe said, "No, itâÂÂs Jack". I was an import, and you were only allowed 12. Jack said: "I thought I should ring you before you get tomorrowâÂÂs paper. I never graded you. I regard you as a first grader, but IâÂÂve got a couple of blokes here IâÂÂm going to use more than you and I donâÂÂt think you want to play reserve grade. âÂÂI said "Jack, what a thing to do when IâÂÂm an import!". "He said, "IâÂÂve been sacked by plenty of places and IâÂÂve always come back, and you will. Somebody will find you", and he hung up.
In 1981, Platz signed with Penrith and played there for three years before retiring at the end of the 1983 season.