Jim Stynes loses cancer battle

The AFL community is in mourning after Melbourne Demons great Jim Stynes lost his battle with cancer.

Stynes was diagnosed with cancer in July 2009 and he fought courageously for almost three years. He was 45.

He came to fame through the 'Irish experiment' arriving in Australia with no knowledge of AFL from a Gaellic football background.

He departed the game as the most successful Irish import of all time with a Brownlow Medal and the record 244 consecutive VFL/AFL games.

He was known for his courageous play on the field and an ability to play on despite injury. His representative honours included Victorian and All-Australian selection as well as playing for Australia against Ireland in International Rules.

His entire AFL career was played with Melbourne Demons as a ruckman. He is an official legend of the club, is a member of their Team of the Century. He holds a number of club records, including the record for the most successive best and fairest awards (three) and is equal holder of the record (with Allan La Fontaine) for the most best and fairest awards (four) in the club's history.

But Stynes' legacy continued much beyond the end of his football career. He maintained a high media profile through his work with youth and charity work. He has been named three times Victorian of the Year (2001, 2003 & 2011) and has been honoured by the Queen with the Medal of the Order of Australia in (2007) and Melburnian of the Year (2010), continuing his work despite being diagnosed with cancer.

"There are few places in Australia that have not heard or been touched by the legend of Jim Stynes - the affable Irishman who left his homeland to chase a dream, and succeeded beyond anyone's expectations," Demons president Don McLardy said in a media release issued by the club.

"In the next few weeks, you will hear from many who will tell you about his magnificent playing record, and why Kevin Sheedy says he is the greatest story in the history of the AFL.

"You will also hear from many whose lives have been changed by Jim, mainly through contact with his incredible youth organisation Reach .

"Not just great achievers such as Jules Lund, Trisha Silvers and the like, but hundreds of young kids who openly say Jim Stynes “changed my life”. Can there be a greater accolade than that?"

Stynes became president of Melbourne Football Club in 2008 and continued until February this year, despite his ongoing battle with cancer.

He was also heavily involved with charity work, primarily The Reach Foundation.

The Reach Foundation helps children in need and Stynes became a prominent youth worker throughout his time with the charity. He has worked on government advisory boards including the 1997 Victorian Government Suicide Task Force and the Federal Minister For Youth's Youth Advisory Consultative Forum Committee.

"To see Jim work with young, troubled teenagers was inspiring. He not only showed those young people a way forward, he trained many of them to be inspiring leaders themselves," McLardy said

Although he became famous for his footballing feats, and will always be remembered as one of the game's, and especially Melbourne Demons', greatest ever players his post football achievements are arguably even more important.

He inspired 1000's with his battle against cancer and helped countless people through his charity.

It will be far more than just the AFL community grieving in the coming days as Stynes' passing sinks in for all those he affected.

Stynes' wife Sam confirmed the news in a statement posted on facebook.

"Jim Stynes died on Tuesday the 20th of March at 8.20 a.m.. Jim was pain free, dignified and peaceful. Matisse and Tiernan were present," Sam Stynes said.

"Not surprisingly, in his last week of life Jim continued to defy the odds and lived his life to the fullest attending the Melbourne vs. Hawthorn football match, his son Tiernan's 7th Birthday celebration, The MFC Blazer Ceremony and a casual Friday night dinner at Toplinos in his much loved suburb St.Kilda."

"In his final days Jim was immersed with insurmountable love and tenderness surrounded by his family and some close friends in the comfort of his own home."