Junior Sunbury football players who encompass the spirit of one of the Sunbury Lions’ favourite sons, will be recognised with an annual award.
The club has named a trophy in honour of senior footballer Sam Dunne, who died from severe head injuries in March after a brutal assault at a house in Flemington.
The 24-year-old played for the Sunbury Lions and his family continues to be actively involved in the Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club.
“I can’t describe how honoured we are that the club would have a trophy named in Sam’s memory,” his dad Hayden said.
“I think this captures Sam’s essence as a footballer and also as a person.”
The inaugural trophy, which recognises and rewards a player who possesses great character, speed and resilience, went to Jezz Petrincic.
Mr Dunne, who coaches the club’s under-10s, his wife Jennifer and younger sons Brodie, 12, and Cooper, 9, were all there when the Sam Dunne Trophy was recently presented to the junior club’s “most determined under-14s player”.
Mr Dunne said that although his family would continue to come to terms with their loss, the award symbolises the importance of community.
“I have two sons that play for the under-10s and under-12s teams – [Sam’s death] has been very traumatic for them,” Mr Dunne said.
“His little brothers lost their hero and we lost our eldest son. My wife continues to struggle to come to terms with our loss every day, as do I.
“Coaching has been good for me in helping me get through the year and my wife has also received a lot of support through the club.
“This has been a massive blow for our family. We’re battling to do the best we can in what is a very [bad] situation.
“If any good came out of this, it would have to be that the local club rallied around us this year.”
Mr Dunne thanked the club’s sponsors, Sunbury Mower and Chainsaw Centre, which threw its support behind the family and initiated the establishment of the Sam Dunne Trophy.
Club president Mark Cooke said the Sunbury Lions Football and Netball Club provided a fantastic supportive environment for all its members and families with a strong focus on teamwork, commitment and sense of community.
In March, a 19-year-old man was charged with Sam Dunne’s murder. He was remanded in custody after facing the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
