‘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
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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.
FUNDRAISER: ‘Let’s get Rooch home’ community rallies after road tragedy
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.
“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.
MORE TOP NT NEWS
Fight steps up to stop China steel in Darwin Defence bases upgrade
NT barramundi farm lodges $9 million expansion plans
Contested Dundee development to get Minister’s tick or flick soon
“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
“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.
Get these amazing earbuds with an NT News subscription deal
“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.
Cunningham: Sense must prevail to prevent an avoidable death
It’s sensible if an Aboriginal child must be removed from their parents, they be placed with a family member or another Indigenous family. But adhering to this principle at the expense of the child’s welfare, as has happened in the past, is madness.
Size matters as new incentive could land fishos more cash
There’s plenty of reasons to cast a line in February particularly with an exciting new twist to the Million Dollar Fish, which could see one lucky fisho walk away with an extra $40k.