‘Shining comet’ lit up the sporting world

Giants player remembered on Wednesday as a “shining comet” and a “much-loved” member of the AFLW.

Jacinda Barclay played 23 AFLW games for the GIants across four season Picture: Mark Evans

When Jacinda Barclay was in the room, you knew.

The Giants player was remembered on Wednesday as a “shining comet” and a “much-loved” member of the AFLW, Greater Western Sydney and Australian baseball families after her death at just 29.

Barclay, who played 23 AFLW games for the Giants across all four seasons of the competition and represented Australia in five women’s baseball World Cups, passed away in Perth earlier this week, with her family — which has New Zealand heritage — releasing a touching statement on Wednesday afternoon that was in part written in Maori.

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“She was a shining comet that soared through this world casting her radiant light of love on all she met,” it read. “Though that comet has now shattered into a million pieces, the memory of it will remain a beacon for all women in high-profile sports to strive to excel, to dare to be great while staying humble and proud”.

Raised in Perth, Barclay once said “if it wasn’t for AFL Women’s, I’d probably be swinging bats in Japan, under arrest in the US or throwing balls from a wheelchair”.

“We are all devastated,” Giants chief executive David Matthews said. “Jacinda gave up a great deal to follow her sporting dreams around the world and we are grateful that she called our club home for four years.

“As an inaugural Giants AFLW player, Jacinda was a vital part of our club. More than that, her spirit and infectious personality made her a popular and unforgettable member of the Giants family.”

But there had been struggles on her journey. Barclay, who was unable to commit fully to the AFLW 2021 season and recently listed as an inactive player for the Giants, had returned to Perth to be supported by family and friends — including her parents, Michael and Debbie — as she dealt with mental health issues. The club had been providing support to both Barclay and her family.

Barclay travelled the world playing baseball. After the 2010 World Cup she put her strong pitching arm to use as a quarterback in American football, playing for the NSE Surge and then the Chicago Bliss in the Legends Football League.

AFL Women’s boss Nicole Livingstone said: “There are few words that we can express at this time, other than to convey our ­sadness and sincerest condolences to the Barclay family.”