‘Footy has lost an extremely dedicated player and a great individual’: Tributes flow for Alex Aurrichio

SPORTING clubs and players from across the globe are mourning the loss of Alexander ‘Rooch’ Aurrichio, describing him as a loveable larrikin with a heart bigger than his 198cm stature

Alexander ‘Rooch’ Aurrichio, 30, who passed away on Monday, as a loveable larrikin with a heart bigger than his 198cm stature. Picture: Che Chorley

SPORTING clubs and players from across the globe are mourning the loss of Alexander “Rooch” Aurrichio, describing him as a loveable larrikin with a heart bigger than his 198cm stature.

The 30-year-old Waratah ruckman tragically passed away on Monday after the bicycle he was riding collided with a car at Howard Springs.

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Former Waratah Football Club player Abbey Holmes, who met Aurrichio through her partner Keegan Brooksby, fought tears as she remembered her final adventure with the US-born and raised Aurrichio just a week ago.

Popular NTFL footballer, Alex Aurrichios, was tragically killed in a crash with a motor vehicle while cycling in Darwin’s rural area. Picture: Stephen Laffer

“It’s pure devastation to be honest,” she said.

“Last Sunday Rooch and I went out to the Top End safari camp together, I’m so grateful that we had that last experience together.

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“That’s just the kind of guy he was just chasing the next adventure wherever he went.”

Holmes said Aurrichio had an unbreakable bond with his family.

“Last weekend we were talking about coronavirus and his mum and how incredible she was and he said ‘my biggest fear is if something happened to my family and if I can’t get there’,” she said

US NBA star Tobias Harris has paid tribute to his friend Alex Aurrichio, who was tragically killed in a crash with a motor vehicle while cycling in Darwin’s rural area. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s devastation, pure heartache knowing what his family are faced with.”

In New York, NBA player Tobias Harris, who donated $15,000 to a fundraiser to get the footballer home, posted a heartfelt farewell to his childhood friend, former colleague and mentor.

“I’ve honestly been in a shock all morning with the news of my friend Alexander Aurrichio passing,” he said.

“I think of all the memories, the basketball, the training the times you looked after a young 8th grader on the court with you, the rides home from practice telling me to keep my head on straight.

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“I hope you knew how much I respected you, how much a young kid in high school looked up to you.”

Aurrichio’s former football clubs reflected on their time with the big man.

“Footy has lost an extremely dedicated player and a great individual,” wrote the Southport Sharks in the Gold Coast.

“The day the Big American walked into our club, a larger than life character influenced our group with enthusiasm and motivation,” wrote the Northern Blues from the VFL competition.