By Casey OÇonnor
The rugby League community has been rocked by the death this week of Michael Purcell. His tragic death following a car accident has had an impact on me personally,
During my stint as Chairman of the Border Rugby League I had quite a lot to do with Purcell (Percey) even though he was not a Border league player
He was always one of the first selected in any Southwest Representative side and his brilliance helped Southwest win two Outback Carnivals.
In 2014 at the Outback Carnival in Blackall he was named Grade player of the Carnival after blowing the opposition off the park.
He was a gifted with amazing speed, a naturally talented footballer.
Michael Purcell was no one trick pony.
In 2011 As a 17-year-old he completed the New York marathon, one of 11 Indigenous runners to run the marathon under the stewardship of marathon great, Robert De Castella.
He spoke often on the Outback Carnival trips of whether or not he should follow his football dream. Eventually he found his way to Wattles and from there to the Ipswich Jets and in the past 12 months he had a stint training with the Storm as well a contract with their feeder club the Tigers.
Percey will be fondly remembered by his Southwest teammates including Mick Bloomfield, John Trindall, Luke Brosnan and Jason Wilmot among others as well as many Wattles players.
His smile was infectious. I remember him as a humble well-mannered kid who just wanted to play football and do good things.
Percey lit up the football field when he found open space, but he was so much more than another gifted player. His light was extinguished far too early
