In Adelaide, thousands wept tears of sadness at a public memorial for Port midfielder John McCarthy, who fell to his death at a Las Vegas casino.

The memorial service preceded McCarthy’s funeral in his Victorian home town of Sorrento.

Sarah Orr reports.

TRANSCRIPT

At Alberton Oval, 2,500 Port Adelaide fans and footy club members, came together in grief.

Brandon Chaplin, Port Adelaide Football Club: “What we’ve been trying to do is get together like this so we can support one another at times of grief. It is best to be around others you know and love and I can assure you that’s what’s been happening at this football club for the past week and a half.”

The service was organised in consultation with McCarthy’s family, so the greater community had a chance to honour the young ALF player.

And in Victoria, the young football star’s funeral was held in his home town of Sorrento, where an extra marquee had to be set up, to make room for more guests.

Representatives from all eighteen AFL clubs attended the service and took part in forming a guard of honour.

The twenty-two-year-old had played 39 AFL games.

He started with Collingwood, then joined Port Adelaide to pursue career opportunities.

Teammate Brad Ebert said McCarthy settled in so well over his 10 months with Port, it felt like he’d been there for 10 years.

McCarthy died while on end of season holidays in Las Vegas, after he fell from the roof of the Flamingo Hotel.

Sarah Orr, QUT News.