Adam Burchell has opened up on how the death of his father inspired his greatest season at Wangaratta City.
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Burchell flew back to the UK in January when dad Dave fell ill - but had no idea how serious things were.
His plan was to support his mother, Sharon, while Dave recovered, but hours later the pair were grieving.
"It's easily the worst thing I've had to experience," Burchell said.
"Words can't even describe how that time was, from being on the flight to landing and then Dad passing that day.
"Being an only child, I didn't know what to do.
"I'd booked a return flight to Australia but my first thought was 'how is Mum going to cope?'
"I wanted to be with Mum but she was the one who said 'you've got to go back to Australia, your life's there, you've got to start a family there and you're better there than you are here.'
"She was the one who actually told me to get on the plane and go back.
"It's lucky that Mum has very close friends with her to get her through this time.
"Me and my fiancee Facetime her regularly.
"It is hard, very tough with her being over there but hopefully in the future, if me and my fiancee get residency here, she might be able to come out more permanently.
"You just have to start living with it. The hurt is never going to go away but it definitely helped me with my season this year."
Even more precious now are Burchell's memories of the 2015 AWFA cup final when Dave was in the crowd to see the Devils beat Myrtleford in a dramatic penalty shootout at Jelbart Park.
"Dad had come out to surprise me the day before," he recalled.
"That meant everything to me and I was so shocked when he rocked up.
"Ivo Madeira (City's coach at the time) said 'we've got a surprise for you and it's going to help you mentally tomorrow.'
"We had this big meeting in the changing-room, Ivo introduced our 'special guest' and Dad walked through.
"I was stunned - really stunned. I showed no emotion on my face but deep down I wanted to cry.
"Him being there added a bit more pressure because he'd flown all the way here to watch the final but it was inspirational as well.
"After we'd won the final, he told me he'd booked the tickets before the quarter-final so he just had a feeling we were going to get there.
"When I was young, Mum and Dad drove me all across the country just so I could play 90 minutes," he added.
"I remember playing for Dartford District and Kent County and we'd be driving up north or down west so I'm very appreciative of that."
Burchell, who has won two AWFA Star Player awards, has clinched two cups and a league championship in his time at Wangaratta.
