Leading Gippsland footballer Justin McLay dies at age 37

Essendon premiership player Darren Bewick has added to the tributes for leading Gippsland footballer Justin McLay, who died last Sunday.

Tough and superbly skilled, Justin McLay played in four premierships for Sale City.

Former Essendon star Darren Bewick has added to the flow of tributes for leading Gippsland footballer Justin McLay, who died on Sunday at the age of 37.

Bewick coached McLay at Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup and this morning remembered him as respected player and respectful person.

“I had dealings with him when he was 17 and 18 … he was quiet, but he was a fantastic teammate and contributor to the program,’’ he said.

“In a situation where everyone comes from different areas of Gippsland to play in the TAC Cup as it was then, he fitted in really well, and was a really good player.

“I’ve got some find memories of him playing, and I know when he left he became a great young man.

“A lot of them don’t go on to play AFL footy, but they become really good footballers at their local clubs and really good people in their local communities. From what I gather that’s something Justin had become.

“It’s a really sad situation for him family and the community of Sale.’’

Darren Bewick.

Bewick was told on Tuesday night of McLay’s death.

“It brought back some good memories of him but all my thoughts are with his family and all his friends,’’ he said. “It’s a really tough time for them.’’

McLay – the father of four young boys – was a four-time premiership player with Sale City.

The club has decided to retire his No 3 jumper and hopes it will one day be worn by one of his sons.

On Tuesday club members gathered to remember an outstanding footballer and popular and vital young man.

McLay was also a leading player and life member at Sale Football Netball Club.

“Our mind is blank, our bodies numb and our hearts well and truly broken,’’ Sale said in a tribute.

“A family has lost its hero, the community has lost a friend.’’

It said McLay could walk into a room full of strangers and walk out with a room full of new best friends.

Sale City president Mick Clapton and vice-president Brad Evans both described McLay, an offshore worker with Halliburton, as a tremendous footballer who was revered by teammates and respected by opponents.

“He was a matchwinner,’’ Clapton said. “He was fearless, one of the toughest and most skilful players I’ve been involved with. He did things off his own boot that some people can’t do, but then he was as tough a player as you’ve seen.’’

Justin McLay taking a kick for Sale.

Clapton said the club had been numbed by McLay’s death.

“It’s hard to comprehend, but we’ll battle along and stick together and come out on the other side.’’

Across two stints with the club McLay figured in Sale City’s flags in 2010, ’11, ’16 and ’17.

Evans said he was an outstanding leader.

“He was so good with the young players as they were coming into the senior side,’’ he said.

“He was the mentor, the hero, the legend, the great bloke. He was my favourite too.’’

He said McLay was “as fit as a Mallee bull and as good as anyone going around’’.

“He could play any position on the ground. He was a star forward, a star midfielder, a star backman. He was as hard as nails, but as fair as fair. There have been a lot opponents quoting their respect for him.

“As one said, he’d knock you down, but then he’d lift you up and then you’d go again. And then when the game was over he was the nicest bloke off the field. You couldn’t have met a nicer bloke, to be perfectly honest. There is no one who would say a bad word about him.’’

Justin McLay celebrating a Sale premiership.

McLay had 111 senior games at Sale, was named in the Magpies’ 2000s team of the decade and was a premiership player and best finals player in 2012.

He gained selection in the Gipplsand league team of the year in 2005 and 2014.

“The attack on the footy, the skills on both sides of your body and just your sheer presence made everyone walk taller,’’ Sale said.

As a talented teenager McLay also played for Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup.

In a Herald Sun match report in 2002 he was mentioned in the Power’s best players alongside Brendon Goddard.

That same year Tassie Mariners coach Hamish Ogilvie – now the head recruiter at Adelaide Crows – rated Goddard, Jason Winderlich and McLay as the Power’s three standout players.

McLay later had a stint with Tooronga Malvern (now East Malvern) in the Southern league before going on to his premiership exploits with the Sale clubs.

Justin McLay’s sons Bobby, Max, Jack and Gus, and partner Ashlyn survive him.

The boys idolised him, Evans said, and he them.

Funeral arrangements are being made.

It’s a likely a service will be held at the Sale Turf Club.

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