Patrick O’Grady couldn’t help but smile as he looked down upon Manly Sea Eagles training today, thinking of his late son, Xavier.
‘Xav would have absolutely loved this,’’ O’Grady said, of his passionate Manly son, who passed away last October at the age of 20 from sudden cardiac arrest.
A fit and healthy young man who enjoyed running and playing rugby, the O’Grady family shared a common love for the Sea Eagles.
“I started following Manly in 1973. My three kids had no choice but to follow the Sea Eagles,’’ Patrick added.
The family’s world was shattered when Xavier collapsed at the finish line of the Melbourne Half Marathon in 2022.
Through the pain and emotion of losing a son and brother, the O’Gradys have been strongly supporting the research of Professor Chris Semsarian, a world-leading expert in investigating and researching fit young people dying of sudden cardiac arrest.
The family have since established a ‘Heartbeats for Xav’ campaign in honour of their son to support the research work and will participate in the Gold Coast marathon on July 1-2 to help raise further awareness and funds.
Upon hearing of the family’s news, the Sea Eagles invited Patrick, wife and mum Alison, and daughters Annie and Bella to training at Brookvale where they were presented with a 2023 signed Manly jersey to help in their quest to raise at least $700,000.
Furthermore, the family will also do the official coin toss and deliver the NRL game ball prior to kick-off against the Melbourne Storm at 4 Pines Park on Friday night.
“Xavier would be so thrilled. He was a committed Sea Eagles fan. His favourite players were Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough,’’ Patrick said.
“He was a forward himself, so he just loved those guys.
“Nine times out of 10, we would sit together in the (now) Lyons Menzies stand. He used to love running onto the ground as a kid after full-time to play on the hallowed turf of Brookvale.
“We were there together at the 2007 and 2008 grand finals. When ‘Beaver’ (Steve Menzies) scored that try in the 40-0 win over the Storm, it was as good as it gets.
“Xav and I were here for the ‘Battle of Brookvale’ in 2011 against the Storm. He was about nine. I remember him saying to me on the way home, 'Dad, how good was the fight'.
“It rattled me, so I said to him, ‘son you shouldn’t fight but you are entitled to defend yourself’.
“To now be here on Friday night for the Storm game as a family and remembering Xavier, it’s just incredible.
"The Sea Eagles have been amazing and we can’t thank the club for all of their support.”
To donate to the campaign, visit Heartbeats for Xav
