Rugby league in shock over deaths of two young rising stars

RUGBY league has been dealt a dual tragedy on the eve of a new season with the death of two rising stars of the game in Queensland.

NORTH Queensland Cowboys and Mackay Cutters players have been offered counselling as the two rugby league clubs come to grips with the sudden death of promising players Regan Grieve and Hayden Butler.

In dual tragedies to rock rugby league on the eve of a new season, welfare officers from the NRL and Queensland rugby league have flown to north Queensland to help family and friends come to terms with the twin deaths.

Police have ruled out suspicious circumstances in relation to the two deaths.

Grieve, 18, was being remembered as “a leader” with the Queensland under-18s co-captain on the pathway to NRL stardom having built an impressive junior career littered with titles, rep selections and achievements.

RIP my brother! Hope your looking down on me cause I'll always look upto you, love you! :( @nthqldcowboys ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/LqyYJzaL6j

— Jackson Hastings (@JackoHastings) January 27, 2015

Butler, 20, was a Melbourne Storm junior and talented AFL player who only moved to Mackay three weeks ago after playing with Burleigh Bears in the Intrust Super Cup last season.

Tragically the deaths of Grieve and Butler come less than two years after the Cowboys and Cutters were united in grief over the sudden death of promising young hooker Alex Elisala.

Grieve’s Queensland under-18s coach Anthony Seibold said he was shocked by the death of the talented backrower who he’d watched closely rise through the ranks.

“He was an outstanding young bloke … he was a real leader there was no doubt about that,” Seibold said.

“He captained a couple of state sides so you have to show some real leadership qualities to get those types of roles.

“Academically he was very gifted. He was a very talented young bloke both on and off the field. It is just devastating to hear the news.

Regan Grieve in action.

“Everything I had to do with him off the field or away from footy I was really impressed with the way he carried himself. He was just a likable young bloke.”

Butler tragically died during the Australia Day long weekend, shocking those close to him.

Butler was born and raised in Melbourne and was also a budding Aussie Rules player who won a premiership with St Kilda City while also playing for the Storm’s junior teams.

St Kilda City president Rod Gamlin said players and staff at his club were devastated by the news.

“We can’t believe it. He was such a good bloke,” Gamlin said.

“We are all shocked by this.

“He was very talented and even though he was with the Storm I think he could have played AFL too.

“It is just sad mate.”

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