Sam Grant.
SAM Grant was yesterday remembered as a young man with a jovial personality and cheeky smile.
Allansford Football Netball Club president Nathan Adams yesterday paid tribute to Mr Grant.
He said the 22-year-old had played about 40 reserves games with the club during the past four years.
“Sam was well known around the club and in the community,” Mr Adams said.
“He played a practice match on Saturday against South Rovers. He got a few kicks off a half-forward flank and we won. He played pretty well.”
Mr Adams said Mr Grant loved being involved in the club’s family atmosphere.
“Sam loved his footy, although he had a lot of other things going on in his life like greyhound racing,” he said.
“He was a very well respected young man in the Allansford community and also among his peers and teammates at the Allansford Football Netball Club.
“He was very jovial, with a likable personality and a cheeky smile.”
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Mr Adams said the usual football training planned for last night would not go ahead.
“We’ll just have a get-together,” he said.
“I’ve had a talk to senior coach Josh Parkinson and reserves coach Ben Holloway and we’ll have counsellors at training tonight.”
Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club president Phillip Mitchem said Mr Grant was an up-and-coming trainer.
“Sam was very keen,” he said.
“We don’t have a lot of young people involved in training greyhounds and Sam would always seek out advice.
“He was getting himself organised and training winners. He’s a great loss to greyhound racing and the community.”
Tributes flowed on Facebook for Mr Grant, with many people posting their best wishes to his family, friends and teammates.
They described the young man as a good bloke and a great mate with an ever-present smile and an easy ability to make people laugh.