Tigers mourn loss of club legend
Warren Bagnall coaching the Tigers' women's team.
The Grafton Tigers have been saddened by the passing of Warren Bagnall.
Bagnall, a Life Member of both the Tigers and the AFL North Coast, lost his battle with leukaemia over the weekend.
A member of Grafton for 37 years, Bagnall was more than just a fine player for the Tigers. At one stage or another, he filled almost every position available at a footy club not just because he loved the club but he was willing to go the extra mile to help the people within it.
Since his passing, many former and current club members have shared the story of the first time they came to the club that it was the man almost universally known as ‘Bags’ that was the first to welcome them into the fold and offer them a comforting smile.
Fellow Grafton Life Member, club Vice President James Hourigan said his long time friend was more than just the first to say hello.
“Bags was always the first one to go out of his way to make people feel welcome,” Hourigan said.
“If somebody needed some help, it was always Bags who would put the needs of others ahead of his own.”
Bagnall was awarded Life Membership of the League in 2019 due to his long history of representing the Grafton Tigers as League delegate from 1992 to 2014 where he attended monthly League meetings in Coffs Harbour.
Throughout his time in this role he was acknowledged for putting the League’s interests ahead of those of his club if they would be for the betterment of AFL on the North Coast. Bags received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2011 and the AFL NSW/ACT Merit Award for 10+ years of exemplary service.
AFL North Coast Competition Coordinator Brad Greenshields said Bagnall’s passing is sad news for many in the League.
“When I first moved to the region 25 years ago, Bags was already a mountain of the club. Then you can add another quarter of a century of tireless work for the football club on top of that to begin to get an understanding of how much he did,” Greenshields said.
“Even after his team suffered a 10, 20 and sometimes even a 30 goal loss, you could still approach Bags for a quick chat and he’d greet you with that warm smile that said I’ve got time for you.”
The AFL North Coast offers its condolences to Bags’ wife Cathy and children Jake, Kade, Mackenzie and Chelsea.
A service to celebrate Warren’s life will be held at 10am on Monday, June 5. The venue is naturally Ellem Oval, a place that was not only a home away from home for Bags but the place where so many started a long and lasting friendship with him.
For those who would like to make a donation to the Leukaemia Foundation or offer support, CLICK HERE.
