The term role model is used carelessly nowadays but in Jim's case he was sport's very best kind of ambassador. His death at the early age of 45 is a sad loss for both the Australia he adorned and his native Ireland.
THE sad death of Jim Stynes is a tragic loss for the Australian sporting community. We have been blessed throughout our history with a wonderful Irish heritage, in all walks of life. Jim has contributed to that heritage, magnificently.
THE best lasting memorial for Jim Stynes would be an annual award to the footballer voted as having the most community spirit, or having made the greatest contribution to the community in the year.
The crowd loved it. But they also appreciated it for what it was: Jim putting himself out there to help others and having fun while he still could.
This was a moment to remember.
Australian football has produced many inspiring stories over the past 150 years. But Jim Stynes may yet prove to be its most remarkable.
Recruited by Ron Barassi as part of the so-called Irish experiment in the 1980s, Jim was given little chance of making it.
He spent a spent a year playing with Prahran unravelling the mysteries of the game, including the difference between the goal and the point post.
But Jim not only made it, he went on to become one of Melbourne's greatest ever players.
Who could forget those wonderful images of Jim and his father Brian embracing each other after he won the 1991 Brownlow Medal?
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