KARL Jacka was more than a senior coach at Rutherglen Football-Netball Club with his leadership shining brightly in a torrid 2016 season with the tragic death of netballer Jess McLennan and then his own health battles.
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Cats' president Greg Lumby revealed during a moving tribute of the club's former coach at his funeral how he had an involvement in merchandise sales, preparing the club's homeground, Barkly Park and arranging social events.
But his leadership went to another level during the difficult times.
"It was a horrible, horrible time, but to Karl's credit he was the bloke who spent time with myself and said this is the way we should go about it," Mr Lumby said.
"He has been a wonderful mentor to me in so many varied ways.
"You were a special person and will be sadly missed by everyone at Rutherglen.
"The whole Rutherglen community is saddened by this enormous loss."
As his condition deteriorated, Jacka still attempted to attend training sessions at Rutherglen and in recent times the club arranged training in Albury to make it easier for him to be there.
But sadly he couldn't.
"You could know him for 10 minutes, you could know him for two hours and all of a sudden you are his mate," Mr Lumby said.
"No matter what Karl put his mind it would happen.
"Obviously he was an outstanding coach, but that is no news to the Balranald boys, the Howlong boys and the others clubs represented here today.
"It wasn't always the message he had to deliver, but how he delivered that message."
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