IT seems ridiculous to be reporting the death of David Biagi at age 26. But it is so as Leader Newspaper's Paul Amy reports.
The 2006 Casey Scorpions best and fairest winner died at his Frankston home last Thursday night after a battle with cancer that began in 2009.
His wife, Cara, was at his side, devoted to the end.
Showing the determination that made him a valuable and respected footballer, Biagi returned for a few games with Chelsea a year after his diagnosis, in his first match memorably slotting four goals in the reserves.
It appeared he had overcome the disease, but it returned this year and finally conquered his great will to live.
Biagi, nicknamed ``Maxy'', played his junior football at Hampton Park and progressed to the Dandenong Stingrays, winning the coaches' award under Robert Dean in 2003.
He went on to play four years with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL.
In 2006, the club's first year at Casey Fields, he won the best and fairest, playing as a small defender equally adept at negating and creating. An enduring image is of him steaming through the centre and passing to a leading forward. He could also kick the occasional spectacular goal.
In his best-and-fairest season he was also named in the VFL team of the year, alongside future big-leaguers James Podsiadly, Aaron Edwards and Jake King.
``He had a beautiful smile, he was a very engaging person and he got everything out of himself,'' former Casey coach Peter Banfield said last Friday.
```Maxy' had a great year when he won the best and fairest. He ran the whole ground and he'd even end up kicking goals.
``He took the game on and played with excitement and courage and hardness.''
In 2008 Biagi crossed to the SANFL, but it didn't turn out as well as he'd hoped and he saw out the season with Hampton Park.
He transferred to Chelsea in 2009, joining former Casey Scorpions teammates Steve Harrison and Nigel Carmody.
After Round 3 this year he told Chelsea coach Jason Chapple told he was ill again. He asked that teammates not be told.
Biagi played every game and attended every training session. ``He just wanted to keep playing footy, because that's what he knew,'' Chapple said.
``To keep it quiet like he did, and battle through the year, I knew he was a great bloke and great character, but that was just amazing. He's doing that and other blokes are making excuses. Such a courageous person, and so positive.''
Carmody said: ``He was great to play footy with and someone you could call a mate.
``He didn't have any faults. He was a hard worker and a gentleman.''
Casey general manager Brian Woodman said the club was ``devastated'' at Biagi's death.
Biagi was also a useful cricketer for Fountain Gate Turf teams. He also played for Dandenong's 2000-01 Dowling Shield team, alongside Peter Siddle and Jayde Herrick.
Funeral arrangements are being made.
Last Modified on 19/11/2012 11:56