TIM Mannah knows all about family loss.
So it was fitting the Parramatta skipper helped launch the Stay Kind Cup, which will be played for the first time between the Eels and Wests Tigers in memory of Stuart Kelly — the younger brother of one-punch victim Thomas Kelly — who took his own life.
Mannah lost his brother Johnny to cancer at just 23, and knows the impact the loss of a young life has on families.
“I have a three-and-a-half-month old daughter now, and one of the first things I thought about when she was born was how tough it must have been on my parents when Johnny passed away (in 2013),’’ Mannah told The Daily Telegraph.
“When I see the Kellys, and how much they’ve been through, it hits home how tough it must have been on mum and dad.
“I have a lot of respect for them.
“Obviously you love your child so much. It’s a different kind of love you have for anyone else, and to lose a loved one is huge.
“It’s definitely a challenging time, but the way they have handled themselves is an example of how tough families can be, and also an example of how supportive rugby league can be.
“I experienced it first hand when Johnny passed away. Now you’re seeing a lot of it here with the NRL opening their arms and showing a family love and warmth. It helps them get through it.’’
Stuart took his own life last year, four years after Thomas was killed by one punch during a night out on Kings Cross.
Mannah said he could relate most to Ralph and Kathy Kelly’s daughter Maddie, who were all on hand at Concord Oval to launch the Stay Kind Cup.
“Johnny and I were not only brothers, we were best mates,’’ Mannah said.
An Eels fan, Stuart loved Jarryd Hayne, with one of his highlights meeting his idol after Thomas’s shocking death.
Ralph, a Tigers fan, told The Daily Telegraph: “Stuart and I would go to games and there would be that father-and-son banter.
Stuart Kelly took his own life last year.“Stuart would say every time, ‘this time we’ll win’, but the Tigers used to win every time we went. That would give him the shits.
“But it was all about a father and son going to a game, enjoying an afternoon out, which was so important.
“Stuart got to meet Jarryd after Thomas was murdered. Jarryd was very kind to Stuart, which was lovely to see. He was only 14 at the time, but it was a beautiful photo of the two together.’’
The Tigers and Eels partnered with the NRL and Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation to launch the Cup, to be played at ANZ Stadium on July 23 — two days before the one-year anniversary of Stuart’s death — with half the proceeds to be given to Lifeline.
Replies
Pretty hard to comprehend what this family has been through. Great to see what they are still contributing to society after all the knocks they've copped. Hopefully it's a good game with a solid eels win.
I share your sentiment guys.
It's frightening at times, when you let your mind wander.
Having kids is a whole new universe of stress.