By JARROD POTTER
LIFE on the football field took a step back this week for Dandenong Stingrays captain Liam McKay, after confirmation his friend had been discovered in tragic circumstances.
The club rallied around its Edithvale-Aspendale skipper who found out on Tuesday morning the body of his team mate and friend Cayleb Hough had been found after he was missing for 16 weeks.
Hough’s remains were discovered in Lerderderg State Park; grim news no-one on in the south east wanted to hear, especially Hough’s friends and former Eagles’ team mates.
The Stingrays wore black armbands in honour of the 17-year-old and to support their captain through his most difficult time.
“I was pretty worried – it never really looked good,” McKay said. “It’s been a pretty tough week for me and training was pretty hard during the week, but I’m just like trying to move on as much as it’s in my head,” McKay said. “Trying to get over it and just play footy.”
The Stingrays captain always wanted to don the jumper, wrap around the black armband and lead his side out on Saturday afternoon, to play in honour of a friend who was taken far too soon.
“I always wanted to play; I played footy with him – he played at Edithvale with me – and thought it would be a good thing to do,” McKay said. “He’d want me to play.”
Family, friends, the Stingrays and the greater community have embraced McKay and all of Hough’s nearest and dearest as the search for answers into his death has commenced.
“They’ve all been really supportive and been there for me,” McKay said. “Helping me out through a pretty tough time, but I’m sure I’ll get over it and get through it.
“Rest in peace Cayleb – great kid, had a heart of gold and he’s going to be missed dearly.”
Dandenong Stingrays coach Craig Black was at a loss for words and wanted to make sure the Stingrays did whatever they could do to support McKay through this tough time.
Words can’t explain that sort of stuff and we wear the armbands today as a small sign of respect as what we can do on behalf of our captain who we think the world of and any way we can support him we want to do it,” Black said.
Hough’s under-16 team mate Charlie Martello also featured in the Stingrays’ Saturday afternoon victory over Bendigo.
His funeral will be held on 22 April.
