Former West Coast Eagles assistant coach Tony Micale has paid tribute to the late Adam Hunter, remembering him as a ‘ripper bloke’ and a ‘fierce competitor’.

Hunter passed away, aged 43, on Tuesday night after being found in his Bunbury home, with his former club West Coast, confirming the news on  Wednesday morning. 

Tributes have poured in for the 2006 premiership player over the week, with current Eagles’ Head of Football and 2006 premiership coach John Worsfold addressing players, staff and the fans on Wednesday morning. 

West Coast players and staff also donned black armbands and held a minutes silence on Wednesday, to honour the life off the Eagles life member. 

Hunter’s local club, South Bunbury also paid tribute on social media, extending sympathy to his friends and family.

Micale, who was an assistant coach at West Coast during Hunter’s time at the club, joined Sports Breakfast to  pay tribute to his former player.

“I saw some words that Woosha had put in that he loved the game,” he said.

“The love of the game was playing on those (big) blokes and just never worried him. 

“He would absolutely bloody drive me mad at the breaks that he’d either want to play on the stars and he’d want to go forward. He always wanted to go forward because he had that belief in himself that he’s a clutch player and he could take that specie and he could win games. 

“Thankfully, he will always be remembered for that iconic moment with the Chick smother and the Hunter goal and those things. 

“He was one of those blokes that it’s hard to explain that he was never noticed, but he was always in your face. He was always there. It sounds contradictory, but that was the mark of the man. 

“In my lifetime and going through a lot of these sorts of things is that, the way that now I try and overcome is, as much as short as his life’s been, is celebrating his life. He had a wonderful time in the time that he was here with this and more importantly, it was just a bloody ripper bloke.” 

Hunter played 151 games for the Eagles over 10 years, and kicked 86 goals, despite being played primarily in defence. His contribution of 150 games also earned him club life membership in 2009 – the year he retired.

He also be remembered as a key member of West Coast’s highly successful mid-2000s side, a reilable ‘swingman’ and a player who could impact the game in crucial moments. 

Eagles fans will remember him fondly for his game changing fourth quarter goal in the one-point victory against Sydney in the 2006 Grand Final.

“When he played on individuals in games, he was just never beaten. He is one true player that gave 100% in the 100 minutes of football that he played,” said Micale.

“He was never missing. He was always gonna bob up, and as we’ve spoken about many, many times, it’s been well-documented about him being the swing. He was the ideal swing man, because he could have an immediate impact just purely through his attitude and his competitiveness. 

“He was a fierce competitor, but he was a clean player. He was a pure ball player, but he was aggressive. 

“So he had it all, but he was pure. He was just a wonderful, wonderful player, and as sad as it is, and even now, welling up, talking about him. 

“He just had that ability to be able to have an impact wherever he played, and he was amazing in defense of that.” 

It’s been a difficult week for the Australian Rules Football world, with Hunter’s death being their fourth loss within the community. 

Former Brisbane Lions player Troy Selwood and Essendon VFL coach Dale Tapping both passed away on Tuesday, while ex-Adelaide Crows player Josh Mail lost his battle to cancer earlier in the week. 

Micale says the 2005-06 playing group offered their support to one another following the tragic announcement.

“That’s the great thing about this premiership group, we’re all on a WhatsApp. Everybody sent out their condolences once they heard the sad news,” he said.

“We’ve been keeping in touch and to the boys’ credit, they’ve organised to get together today. The intention is to catch up later today, so that’ll be great.

“No doubt, there’ll be some wonderful and fond memories relived regarding Adam. But its’ such a sad, sad time. 

“A life gone too soon, but celebrate the good times and remember the memories that he gave us. I’m sure he wouldn’t be disappointed with anything that he delivered through that short life that he had.”

IMAGE: News Corp