Jim Stynes, the 1984 All Ireland Minor Championship winner with Dublin, Brownlow Medal winner, Melbourne Demons champion and former club president, has lost his lengthy and brave battle with cancer.
The 45-year-old played 264 games in a famous AFL career after joining the Demons from Ireland. It marks the end of the extraordinary two-and-a-half year health battle shared with the Australian nation - and the whole sporting world.
Stynes passed away with his wife Sam and children Matisse and Tiernan by his side at 8.20am (AEDT) on Tuesday after a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer.
Sam Stynes confirmed the death of her husband via her Facebook page on Tuesday morning.
"Jim was pain free, dignified and peaceful," Sam wrote.
"Matisse and Tiernan were present. 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.
"On behalf of Jim my heartfelt thanks to all those who have so generously cared for, guided and supported Jim throughout his challenging cancer battle."
The family of Stynes has accepted a state funeral for the AFL legend.
Born in Dublin, Stynes was one of the most remarkable stories in the history of Australia's home-grown football code.
He was recruited in the mid-1980s by Melbourne as part of the "Irish Experiment" and went on to become the program's most outstanding success.
Graduating from one of the club's most enduring and resilient players to their chairman, Stynes became the first international player to win the Brownlow Medal in 1991.
He holds the AFL record for the greatest number of consecutive games - 244 - and played a total of 264 for the Demons after making his senior debut in 1987.
Stynes also won a club-equalling four best and fairest awards.
He was awarded an Order of Australia in 2007 and was Victorian of the Year in 2003.
New Demons president Don McLardy, a close friend of Stynes during his battle, spoke glowingly of his mate as tributes poured in from around the globe.
"If there is a positive to be found from the last three years, it is that we have already had an opportunity to tell Jim in person what an impact he has made on our football club, and indeed our country," McLardy said.
Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong tweeted: "RIP Jim Stynes. We'll miss you mate."
Cricket great Shane Warne also used Twitter to pay respect to the AFL great.
As a youngster Stynes first played Gaelic football with his local club, Ballyboden St Endas and years later played schools rugby in De la Salle College, Churchtown. However he was only really interested in playing gaelic football and follow his brother, the former captain of Dublin senior football team, Brian.
In the same year he won the Minor title, Stynes answered an advert from the Melbourne Football Club seeking talented Gaelic footballers as possible recruits for Australian Rules.
Stynes impressed the Melbourne officials and was brought to Australia to undergo a crash course in the Australian game, making his debut for the Melbourne under 19s team in 1985.
Factfile
Born: 23 April 1966 in Dublin, Ireland
Age: 45
Played: 264 games for Melbourne from 1987-98 after he was recruited from Ireland, where he grew up playing Gaelic football
Honours: Won 1991 Brownlow Medal, won four best and fairest awards and played a 244 games in succession - at one point a league record. Was inducted into the AFL hall of fame in 2003
Off-field: Founded youth charity the Reach Foundation. Was awarded an OAM (Order of Australia Medal) for his work with youth and contribution to Australian rules football in 2007
Life with the Demons: Appointed club president in June 2008. Stepped down due to ill-health in February 2012
Legacy: Jim Stynes Medal is awarded by the AFL to the best Australian player in the International Rules series
#JimStynesRIP
