Pic: A statue of the late, great Jim Stynes has been unveiled outside the MCG in Melbourne

A fitting tribute to a great Irishman and a legend of Australian Rules Football.

Stynes took his place alongside some of the most well-known figures from Australian sport in the famous ‘Avenue of Legends’ outside the famous MCG, when a bronze statue of the former Dublin minor and Aussie Rules great was unveiled earlier today.

The statue of Jim Stynes has been unveiled! pic.twitter.com/BpNUc1xScO — Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) September 17, 2014

 

Jim Stynes takes up permanent residence at the MCG pic.twitter.com/hXF6XasK9q — Gerard Whateley (@GerardWhateley) September 17, 2014

  Stynes passed away in 2012 at the age of 45 after losing a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer and as well as being remembered for his feats on the field, he was also highly renowned for his charity work, particularly through the Reach Foundation, which he co-founded in the mid-90s. The statue shows Stynes in the famous number 11 jersey he wore with distinction for Melbourne throughout his career and his widow Samantha Stynes, children Matisse and Tiernan and parents Brian and Tess were all present at its unveiling earlier today. "I can visualise Jim playing when I see that," Samantha Stynes told reporters at the unveiling. "It takes me back 15 years ago seeing him on the field - the level of detail with the glove and the thigh pad and we've still got those boots." Gone, but not forgotten, the statue is a fitting tribute to the memory of an AFL and GAA legend.