Golf course drowning tragedy: AFL-mad larrikin Nicholas Hunter ‘would have done it anyway’

One moment AFL-mad Nicholas Hunter was celebrating an upset win by the Suns against Carlton. He took a “little risk” and moments later he was tragically dead.

An AFL-mad larrikin who drowned at a Gold Coast golf course watched the Suns’ upset win over Carlton at Metricon Stadium just hours before his death.

Talented sportsman Nicholas Hunter, 23, was having a post-match celebration with mates before he took a “little risk” that ended in tragedy, according to a devastated friend.

Caleb Artz spoke with his mate last Wednesday over the phone about their weekend plans, including Mr Hunter’s excitement for the Sunday AFL match.

The young man drowned after becoming fatigued while swimming back to shore from a water fountain at Emerald Lakes Golf Club about 9.30pm on Sunday.

Mr Artz met his “goofy” mate two years ago when they played seniors at the Ormeau Bulldogs Australian Football Club.

Gold Coast man Nicholas Hunter, 23, with his Bulldogs jersey.

Mr Hunter joined the Alberton Ormeau Cricket Club this year. His death has shattered teammates and the sporting community.

A teammate broke the news about the tragedy to Mr Artz on Monday morning.

That night Mr Artz had a chat with the mates who were with Mr Hunter when he drowned.

“They are absolutely rattled,” he said.

“We’ve all been in a situation where there’s a few drinks involved and you might do something you would otherwise think twice about.

“As humans and as young men we are risk-takers. It’s so unfortunate that this little risk has ended in tragedy.”

Gold Coast man Nicholas Hunter, 23, with his Bulldogs teammates. Picture: Supplied

Mr Artz described what unfolded as a “freak accident” and believed his friend initiated the swim in the lake, not “dared” to do it, as police initially reported.

“Knowing him as a person, he probably would have done it anyway,” he said.

“He was an entertainer – he loved entertaining and making people laugh.”

Mr Artz described his mate as a “one-in-a-million person”.

“He just had such an infectious charm about him and lit up the entire room with his quirkiness, cheek and character.

“With the world we live in today, we need more people like him, not less.”

Ormeau Bulldogs president Mark Jorgensen extended his condolences to Mr Hunter’s family and friends.

“He was a well-respected and loved young lad,” he said.

“It’s been really hard to get our heads around his passing.”

The club will pay tribute to their beloved member during the first game of the season.

Alberton Ormeau Cricket Club president Matthew Yiend said the larrikin had left a “massive imprint” during his short time at the club.

“He will be truly missed by the club, we were looking forward to many more years with Nick,” Mr Yiend said.

“You couldn’t help but laugh when you were around him – he brightened up every situation.”

Nicholas Hunter joined the Alberton Ormeau Cricket Club earlier this year

As family and friends struggle to come to terms with the tragedy, Mr Artz called on social media trolls to stop their “distasteful and nasty” comments about the incident.

He said cruel remarks from strangers online had only compounded their grief.

“Some of that stuff (online) is really nasty and it’s not on. Someone’s lost their son, their brother, their mate.

“People just need to be a bit kinder and a bit more understanding.”

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