The Soaring

When it rains, it pours. The loss of dual premiership wingman [tag]Chris Mainwaring[/tag] on Sunday night aged 41 is latest shock to hit the [tag]West Coast Eagles[/tag] footy club after a terrible year.

Mainy was arguably the Eagle’s first superstar player with mass appeal. As a blonde haired youngster he burst onto the scene with East Fremantle and then became the Eagle’s inaugural rookie of the year in 1987. As dashing centre-line player he had great popularity with the public both through great tenancity and strength in the contest as well as taking a screamer or booting a long goal on his beloved right boot.

Back in the day when the Malthouse-coached Eagles kicked and marked and pushed the ball around the boundary towards goal, Mainy’s at times unreliable roosting right boot stood out as an enigma. But from all accounts the former Eagle’s coach loved Mainy because he turned up to play week in and week out and was a team-first man. He was also, in contrast to the rockstar reputation not purely a flashy flukey player, but an excellent one on one footballer in all conditions.

His off-field demeanour carried over from on the ground and was from all reports and incredibly likable and personable bloke. His charisma held him in good stead in the media where he had made a career for himself post-football. He is survived by his wife Rani and two children. To them and the rest of the family we pass our sincere condolences.

> Chris Mainwaring picture gallery (The West)