Family loses a 'precious, much-loved young man' in Las Vegas death of Port Adelaide player John McCarthy
THE family of tragic Port Adelaide footballer John McCarthy yesterday paid tribute to a "unique, a precious and a much-loved young man".
THE family of tragic Port Adelaide footballer John McCarthy yesterday paid tribute to a "unique, a precious and a much-loved young man".
At McCarthy's old football club rooms at Sorrento, at the southern end of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, McCarthy's uncle John Olle spoke yesterday about the family's devastating loss.
He said the family had been overwhelmed by the response from the football community and beyond.
"A life doesn't attract a response of such magnitude unless it is truly worthy and Johnny's was," Mr Olle said.
He also spoke of how the 22-year-old had loved life at Port Adelaide, the club that gave him a second chance after he was cut by Collingwood.
"They (Port Adelaide) embraced him," he said. "Not long before he went overseas, he had a little dirt on his ear ... he had been through a lot, the young man. But he was looking forward to the year ahead."
Mr Olle did not expand on the circumstances of McCarthy's death during an end-of-season trip with his team-mates.
While the reason for McCarthy's death remained unexplained yesterday, tributes continued to flow for the much-loved player.
Port Adelaide supporters quietly filed through the club's Alberton base to pay their respects while more than 1500 filed their tributes on the club's website.
An impromptu shrine was created with flowers, scarfs, handwritten notes and candles.
Port Adelaide cheer squad president Ian Wilson visited the memorial yesterday grieving for the Power player whom he'd met many times.
"The people are really devastated - to have one of your current players pass away in unusual circumstances ... it's pretty shocking," he said.
"He was a fun-loving guy and I'm sure he's going to be missed severely.
"We've had him for less than 12 months, we probably hadn't seen the best of him, either."
Port Adelaide fan and cheer squad chairman Steve Hill said McCarthy was always a positive presence around the club.
He said McCarthy had no airs or graces about him.
"The great thing is that he always mixed with the players and supporters, he fitted in here like a hand in a glove," he said.
"John was always up to it to mix around and was one of those players who always availed themselves to the club. From my point of view, of the players we have had from interstate, he was up there with the best.
"He was a character and will be a massive loss," he said.