Parra's bravest fan laid to rest

IT WAS a sad day for one of the NRL's good guys yesterday as Nathan Hindmarsh farewelled loyal Eels fan and good friend Oscar Buhagiar.

There was barely a dry eye among the 700-plus well-wishers at the funeral of the bubbly six-year-old who lost his battle with cancer last Monday.Such was the impact of Oscar's passing that Parramatta wore a special one-off jersey in Friday's clash against the Wests Tigers with "Oscar No. 11" etched on the front.

Hindmarsh, the father-of-three who befriended Oscar while he was in hospital, arrived with wife Bonnie and was mentioned several times during the eulogies and appeared in a touching photo and video tribute.Members from Oscar's club team, the Kellyville Bushrangers, also appeared and sang the team song before his proud coach John Black announced the No. 11 jersey would be retired for the season.

"The day before he passed away he was in the stands at Parramatta Stadium watching his favourite team cheering them on against the Sea Eagles - he would not have wanted it any other way," Oscar's mother Jane said. Hindmarsh had visited Oscar at Westmead Hospital on Monday before he drew his last breath three hours later. Interestingly, despite his love for Hindmarsh and Parramatta, it was revealed by Black that Oscar was initially a Rabbitohs fan and his hero was David Kidwell.

Oscar was able to score a try on debut for Kellyville last year, which was celebrated by both teams, and, prior to a match in July last year, was told by a referee he could not take the field wearing his tubes.Black said it was then that Oscar proceeded to rip off his tape and removed his tubes before he took the field. And when told he had forgotten his headgear, Oscar told his father Chris and coach: "I don't need my headgear because I don't have my tubes today."

Donations in memory of Oscar can be made to Cure Our Kids Research and Building Trust at PO Box 7278 Warringah Mall, Brookvale, 2100. The Parramatta jerseys worn last Friday are also being auctioned via the Eels website until Friday.

"May won't come under the mandatory stand down rule that puts a player out until sentencing, as the charge most would mandate a 10y + sentence. But such is the stance by the nrl on the treatment of women, I think it's going to be years before we see…"

"I have zero sympathy for May. No excuse at all. The Nrl must read the room. If not , Penrith should make an example of him. The game will survive without May . But young man need to understand that violence against Women is not on - ever. "

"That's one guy! He has as much chance to be rubbish as he has of being worth a FG spot.
We need more. Surely there's a bloke or 6 who can't crack the US Olympic sprint team we can get to develop. "

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Parra's bravest fan laid to rest

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