Southport Sharks pay tribute to teammate Alexander Aurrichio and life member John Gonard

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the grieving family of Alex Aurrichio get their dead son back home to the United States.

Alex Aurrichio, who died in a crash in the Northern Territory on Monday. Picture: Supplied

UPDATE: A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the grieving family of Alex Aurrichio get their dead son back home to the United States.

Over $26,000 has already been raised by the campaign in less than 24 hours as the football community and those who met Aurrichio collaborate to get the former Southport Sharks player back to his parents Lou and Jill in New York.

Aurrichio was killed on Monday while riding his bike in the Northern Territory.

Reigning NEAFL premiers Southport Sharks new recruit, Alex Aurrichio. Picture: Jerad Williams

The travel restrictions currently in place due to the COVID-19 crisis make the logistics of making it happen ever tougher.

To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/alexander-aurrichio-lets-get-rooch-home.

EARLIER:

A Gold Coast football club is mourning the death of two beloved figures with officials revealing Alex Aurrichio was the second to lose his life in recent days.

Southport are grieving the loss of both Aurrichio, who was killed in an accident on Monday, and life member John Gonard.

“The board, management, staff and members of Southport Australian Rules Football club would like to extend their sincere condolences to the family and friends of John Gonard,” a statement read.

Alex Aurrichio of the Sharks in action. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“John was a life member and served the club as Treasurer between 1977-84 and 1989-91.

“He will always be remembered as a staunch supporter and one of the great personalities who contributed so much of his time and love towards our club.

“John will be sadly missed and we thank him for his wonderful contribution to the Magpies and Sharks over the last 43 years.”

EARLIER:

SOUTHPORT Sharks have paid tribute to a teammate who was killed in a cycling accident in the Northern Territory on Monday night.

Alexander Aurrichio, 30, was on a bicycle riding inbound along Gunn Point Rd at Howard Springs when he collided with a Nissan Patrol.

Southport NEAFL co-captain Andrew Boston said the players were left devastated after being notified on Tuesday.

“We are all in a bit of shock at the moment,” Boston said.

“We are devastated and struggling a bit. We are going to catch up as a playing group tomorrow (Wednesday) at the football club.

“When he first came to the club you could see he was a big man with a strong voice but everyone gravitated to him. He is a bloke everyone wanted to be around.

Alex Aurrichio during his NEAFL debut for the Southport Sharks against Redland at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Picture: TJ Yelds/NEAFL.

“His training standards around the football club were elite. He was the best trainer at our club and everyone strived to match how professional he was.

“He was one of the best clubmen at the Southport Sharks. He got around every single player and everyone came to him for advice.

“He leaves a massive hole here. It’s a tough loss in football but even bigger loss because we are a family at Southport and it feels like we have all just lost a brother.”

Sharks coach Stephen Daniel said Aurrichio, who joined Southport at the start of 2019, was a man of “outstanding character”.

“From the day I met Alex, his character was evident,” Daniel said.

“You could see his love of the game of Australian rules and his big personality. Everyone who met him fell in love with him.

“It’s just so sad.”

Aurrichio was set to team up with returning Sharks ruckman Fraser Thurlow in 2020 following Jed Turner’s move to Broadbeach in what would have been a tough proposition for opposition teams.

It’s understood Aurrichio’s mother is a nurse who has been working tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 crisis in New York while former Sharks teammates Tyler Roos and Josh Clayton heard the news while stuck in Hawaii.

Aurrichio had an affection for Darwin where he spent time playing football between football seasons on the Gold Coast and previously Adelaide.

He was working in the Northern Territory but was due to return to the Gold Coast in the coming weeks to play football and work with Broadbeach Cats QAFL coach Craig O’Brien’s construction company.

O’Brien said the Broadbeach players, who spent time playing with Aurrichio when he wasn’t selected for the Sharks NEAFL team, were rattled by the news of his death with some unable to train on Tuesday.

“It was a shock to us all,” O’Brien said.

“It’s an absolute tragedy. He was such a good guy who was professional but carefree off the field. When he was around the place had a different vibe.

“Even before games he would say something funny to break the tension in the room. He was very quick-witted.”

Originally from New York, Aurrichio moved to Australia in November 2014 with the dream of becoming one of the handful of American sportsmen to play in the AFL.

Last year, Aurrichio opened up to the Bulletin about six months he spent sidelined with injury and questioned whether he would ever return to the field.

But he proved himself wrong when he made his NEAFL debut for the Sharks in a win over Redland.

“It was a great day and I was stoked to run out there with the boys,” Aurrichio said at the time.

MORE NEWS

State’s defence of border closure slammed as ludicrous

Hospitality king reveals plans for relaunch

Prop on mission to return Titans to finals

“I was humbled, the players all got around me and again after I kicked my first goal. I felt like I was really part of the club so I was really grateful.”

Aurrichio was a ruckman for the Waratahs Football Club Men’s Premier League at the time of the fatal crash, and was regularly celebrated for his skill and imposing size.

The Waratah Football Club issued a statement, extending its condolences to Aurrichio’s parents and siblings in the US.

Alex Aurrichio of the Sharks in action. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“Please take some comfort in knowing he was loved by his family spreading across Australia,” the statement said.

“Rooch’s mates at Waratahs Football Club are currently getting together to support each other after the loss of our beloved teammate.

“Rooch came to the club and made an instant impact, with his strong play on the field, and even stronger character off the field, and quickly became a favourite at Waratahs.

Former Southport Sharks player Alex Aurrichio. Picture: Jerad Williams

“He had recently moved permanently to Darwin and was immersing himself in the lifestyle, taking in all the Territory had to offer including fishing and camping.

“Messages of condolences have been coming from far and wide, and he had clearly touched all who met him, with everyone in disbelief that we have lost such a loveable larrikin.

“Rooch will be remembered fondly and sorely missed. Love you Rooch, Hoorah baby!”

The driver of the car, and witnesses, stopped to help Aurrichio but he died at the scene.