Rugby league in shock over deaths of two young rising stars

[Vlasnik]

Rugby league is in mourning over the deaths of Mackay Cutters player Hayden Butler (left) and North Queensland under 20s star Regan Grieve. Source: Supplied
NORTH Queensland Cowboys and Mackay Cutters players have been offered counselling as the two rugby league clubs come to grips with the sudden death of promising players Regan Grieve and Hayden Butler.

In dual tragedies to rock rugby league on the eve of a new season, welfare officers from the NRL and Queensland rugby league have flown to north Queensland to help family and friends come to terms with the twin deaths.

Grieve, 18, was being remembered as “a leader” with the Queensland under-18s co-captain on the pathway to NRL stardom having built an impressive junior career littered with titles, rep selections and achievements.

RIP my brother! Hope your looking down on me cause I'll always look upto you, love you! @nthqldcowboys ❤❤

Butler, 20, was a Melbourne Storm junior and talented AFL player who only moved to Mackay three weeks ago after playing with Burleigh Bears in the Intrust Super Cup last season.

Tragically the deaths of Grieve and Butler come less than two years after the Cowboys and Cutters were united in grief over the sudden death of promising young hooker Alex Elisala.

Grieve’s Queensland under-18s coach Anthony Seibold said he was shocked by the death of the talented backrower who he’d watched closely rise through the ranks.

“He was an outstanding young bloke … he was a real leader there was no doubt about that,” Seibold said.

“He captained a couple of state sides so you have to show some real leadership qualities to get those types of roles.

“Academically he was very gifted. He was a very talented young bloke both on and off the field. It is just devastating to hear the news.

Regan Grieve in action.Source: News Corp Australia
“Everything I had to do with him off the field or away from footy I was really impressed with the way he carried himself. He was just a likable young bloke.”

Butler tragically died during the Australia Day long weekend, shocking those close to him.

Butler was born and raised in Melbourne and was also a budding Aussie Rules player who won a premiership with St Kilda City while also playing for the Storm’s junior teams.

St Kilda City president Rod Gamlin said players and staff at his club were devastated by the news.

“We can’t believe it. He was such a good bloke,” Gamlin said.

“We are all shocked by this.

“He was very talented and even though he was with the Storm I think he could have played AFL too.

“It is just sad mate.”

Readers seeking support should contact Lifeline — 13 11 14 and www.lifeline.org.au or Beyond Blue at www.beyondblue.org.au

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl.../story-fn2mcuj6-1227198643359?from=public_rss

 

[Vlasnik]

North rocked by football tragedy
TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN JANUARY 28, 2015 12:00AM

Regan Grieve playing for Kirwan State High School.
NORTH Queensland’s rugby league community is reeling after the sudden deaths of two rising stars, including an Under 20s Cowboys player.

Promising junior Regan Grieve, 18, and former Melbourne Storm junior Hayden Butler, 20, were both found dead following separate incidents in Mackay over the long weekend.

Grieve, a former Kirwan High School student, was remembered as “a leader”, who was on a pathway to NRL stardom having built an impressive junior career littered with titles, rep selections and achievements.

Butler was a Storm junior and talented AFL player who only moved to Mackay to join the Cutters three weeks ago after playing with the Burleigh Bears last season.

Welfare officers from the NRL and Queensland rugby league have flown north to help teammates and families come to terms with their loss.

The deaths follow that of another Under 20s Cowboys player Alex Elisala in April 2013, who took his own life in Mackay just hours after scoring a try in one of his best games for the Cutters.
The Cowboys and Cutters are again united in grief, with wounds that had only just started to heal reopening following this latest tragedy.

Grieve’s Queensland under-18s coach Anthony Seibold said he was shocked by the death of the talented backrower who he’d watched closely rise through the ranks.

“He was an outstanding young bloke … he was a real leader there was no doubt about that,” Seibold said.

“He captained a couple of state sides.

“Academically he was very gifted. He was a very talented young bloke both on and off the field. It is just devastating.”

The Cowboys yesterday would not comment on Grieve’s death out of respect for his family.

Tributes also flowed for Butler yesterday, who played for the Melbourne Storm’s junior teams and was also a talented Aussie Rules player who won a premiership with St Kilda City. St Kilda City president Rod Gamlin said players and staff at his club were devastated by the news.

 

[Vlasnik]

Strange that the media hasn't disclosed the causes of death??? Two young rising stars cut down before they could shine RIP boys may god grant you both eternal peace.

 

[coach]

Not good at all mate, rip boys! I guess we will know sooner rather than later what happened!'

 

[-Kurry-]

With no mention of cause of death, and a link to Lifeline at the bottom....can only think suicide? Or an accidental alcohol (or related etc) death? They normally don't broadcast those.

Either way, terribly sad for everyone involved.

 

[Mitch Connor]

Lifeline links at the bottom. Sad times.

 

[Scorpio]

Very sad indeed... it sounds like suicide.. RIP

 

[cntrbry bnkstwn]

i think it's very sad when young people have to deal with complex issues and so much pressure, before they enjoy their youth. it seems to be getting younger with each generation.
The current generation of new adults appear to be affected more than previous generations, you can see this by the number of young people getting around with grey or balding hair.
Maybe too much tech and information is a bad thing - gives you more things to worry about

 

[dogluva]

Puts life in perspective and shows that all too often we are concerned with trivial things instead of the bigger picture.Terrible waste of life, sadder because of their young age. Condolences to their families.

 

[Indiandog]

Unbelievable!