Stynes statue unveiled in Melbourne
September 17, 2014
Tiernan Stynes with the statue of his late dad, Jim
The late Jim Stynes has been immortalised in bronze outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A statue of the former Dublin minor footballer, who went on to make a name from himself in Aussie Rules with the Melbourne Demons, was unveiled this morning on the Avenue of Legends in Melbourne's Yarra Park.
"I can visualise Jim playing when I see that," his widow Samantha Stynes told reporters.
"It takes me back 15 years ago seeing him on the field - the level of detail with the glove and the thigh pad and we've still got those boots."
Stynes, who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 45 in 2012, played 264 games for Melbourne, including 244 in succession.
His close friend and former Demons team-mate Garry Lyon said it's a record that will never be broken.
"Wherever I go and whenever I speak people want to know about Jim," Lyon said. "He was a man of great dignity that gave so much back."
Stynes' parents Brian and Tess were on hand to watch the unveiling of the statue.
TweetA beautiful moment. Tiernan Stynes with the statue of his late dad, Jim, unveiled at the @MCG today: pic.twitter.com/hrt0Covun0
- Melbourne Cricket Gd (@MCG) September 17, 2014
