Brian Pierce’s book about son Craig’s career charts his rise to the pinnacle of the sport

Brian Pierce’s new book about his late son Craig - who died after battling cancer - charts the life of a touch football player who against all odds rose to the pinnacle of the sport.

Pam and Brian Pierce at the launch of Brian's book, Touch 'n' Go, written about their late son Australian touch player Craig Pierce, Saturday, November 30, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Craig Pierce was arguably the “best in the world”. When it came to touch football, few matched his skill and ability.

In his short career Craig Pierce, or ‘Piercy’ as he was affectionately known, reached the “pinnacle” of touch football.

He played for Australia 37 times, including 28 World Cup games and nine Test matches, becoming one of Australia’s most capped representatives.

But despite all his successes on the field, Craig’s life was not without its challenges.

Craig Pierce with his sons Lachlan and Samuel photographed in 2002. Craig was preparing to play in the State of Origin touch football competition in the Qld men’s over 30s, two months after having a brain tumour removed.

In the 1990s he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare condition where the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. It’s an illness that causes numbness and weakness in the hands and feet, and, in severe cases, it can cause paralysis.

After 12 months battling the illness Craig fully recovered, and was back playing the game he loved.

But in 1997, Craig received more devastating news – a brain cancer diagnosis.

For Craig’s father, Brian, the diagnosis “was hard to believe”.

Pam and Brian Pierce at the launch of Brian's book, Touch 'n' Go, written about their late son Australian touch player Craig Pierce, Saturday, November 30, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Brian describes Craig as a “fighter” during those years, the “kind of guy who would not give up”.

“He had to summon all his strength to fight the brain cancer,” Brian said.

And despite his cancer diagnosis, Craig went on to play two World Cups, and in 2003 was inducted into the TFA Hall of Fame.

Not long after being inducted, Craig died after battling brain cancer for six years.

Craig’s life, his career and legacy, is the subject of a new book written by his father, Brian Pierce.

Launched at the weekend, the book – called Touch ‘n’ Go – charts Craig’s sporting career and documents his “strength” both on and off the field.

Pam and Brian Pierce at the launch of Brian's book, Touch 'n' Go, written about their late son Australian touch player Craig Pierce, Saturday, November 30, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It’s a story of strength and perseverance about a touch player who rose to the pinnacle of the sport against all odds,” Brian said.

For Brian, writing the book was a kind of “therapy, but it was more than that”.

“His story needed to be told,” he said.

The Hall of Fame remembers Craig “as a character of Australian Touch Football” who is “held close to the hearts of many”.

Brian hopes the story of his son’s “bravery and courage” will inspire others.

“One of his little sayings was ‘You’ve got to prove to yourself that you can do it.’”