They described Jim Stynes as the greatest story in the history of Australian Rules football.
They lauded him as the saviour of their club and their inspiration.
But the young men of the Melbourne football club who spoke so fondly and so well of him, wanted to make it clear that Stynes, who died on Tuesday aged 45 after a long fight against cancer, was a lot more than a mere footballer.
“Jim’s legacy will be the greatest story in the history of the game,” said Stynes’ former Demons teammate Russell Robertson.
“But he was a lot more than that.
“He was a guy who helped people with their lives … he helped save lives.
“Jim did things for people. He was always thinking about what he could do to make lives better.”
Melbourne co-captain Jack Grimes echoed the sentiments.
“Jimmy dedicated his life to others when he was the one who needed the most help,” Grimes said.
“I don’t think we can comprehend how much of a loss he’s going to be to so many people.”
Foremost in Stynes’ philanthropic work is the Reach Foundation, a youth organisation he founded in 1994 while at the height of his football career.
Until the day he died, Stynes lived the Reach message of inspiring all young people to believe in themselves and get the maximum from their lives.
The more obvious side of Stynes’ life was as a footballer whose great quality was, not surprisingly, durability.
He played 264 games for Melbourne, a record 244 of them in succession, and won the 1991 Brownlow Medal.
Stynes later devoted himself to guiding the club through several difficult years as its chairman.
Melbourne’s other co-captain Jack Trengove spoke for many as he struggled to come to terms with Stynes’ passing, no matter for how long it had been expected.
“You just assumed he’d always be around,” Trengove said.
As he stood on the MCG on Tuesday fighting back tears, Grimes said it was to Stynes that club owed its existence.
“We wouldn’t be standing here in these colours today if it wasn’t for Jim Stynes,” Grimes said.
“He saved the Melbourne football club.”
You have to believe that for Stynes, that was the easy job.
