RIP Clinton Grybas

[fester69]

Kind of know how you feel Wedgie, Clinton was indeed an excellent commentator and came across as genuinely a great bloke! Sad news and way too young, but IMHO 75 is young these days. If I may here's a little story of mine;
Back in the early 90s when running NFC cheer squad and doing whatever else Mike Olsen asked me, I had a little bit to do with Hookesy when he was on 5AA. You remember when their outside broadcasts where from local grounds training sessions? Anyways i helped out cooking the sausage sizzle and other stuff and Hookesy always said g'day, thanks, asked about what I did for a job etc. Maybe even slip me a couple of movie tix! Then back at the redlegs club he'd buy a paley for us and thank us for helping out. Then when he moved to Melbourne I emailed him one day to see if he could help with tickets to a sold out Geelong game. He actually took the time to ring and chat for around 10 mins and came through with 4 hickey stand seats. Then when coaching Vic I saw him a couple of times at Adelaide Oval and he said G'day, still following them Norwood losers, etc. Anyways altough my interaction with him wasn't all that much, his passing saddened me greatly, and tears were shed at his service at Adel Oval. Shows the impact that genuinely great blokes can have on us.

[woodwt]

I still cant believe it , what a shock!!

[Macca19]

Its insane to think this has happened because of a sleepwalking accident. I mean would he have even known he hit his head and knocked himself out? Very very sad.

As has been said, he loved Collingwood but you'd never have known. He could have commentated Mclaren Vale vs Reynella reserves and done it with passion. Not an ounce of ego, he commentated and hosted with class, charisma, knowledge, humour and loads of passion for what he loved. Never seemed to let anything go to his head, despite the fact mmany others in the same sitaution would have lapped it up.

Ive never seen this sort of response at the death of a media personality...whether it be a news reporter or anything. Check the thread on bigfooty, its had 600 responses. THe fact that even average joes who never knew him except for on TV are devestated by this shows what esteem the Australian public held this man in.

Just seemed like an ultra genuine guy who loved chatting about footy and sport to the public. Still cant believe it.

[Mr66]

RIP...another reminder to live every day as if it was your last, life is too short to be a dickhead in this world....

Might put that up a work or over this monitor.
Well said Dutchy.

[Pup]

One of if not the best sports callers i have heard. After the cricket coverage on 891 this afternoon they played a short tribute to Clinton including a couple of his more memorable calls. One was the women's Water polo side winning gold at the Sydney Olympics. Made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. He was brilliant and way to young to be lost.

RIP Clinton.

One of my favourite calls of all time (They Sydney Olympics) really was brilliant.

I honestly dont know what to say, i found out yesterday just as we finished cricket and could not believe it, 32 is far far to young for this.

My favourite caller and really sad to see this happen.

RIP Clinton, You will be missed.

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

There with the (now defunct) FOX Footy Channel from the start!
Like Chris Mainwaring, his tragic passing came right outa the blue!
Clinton Grybas R.I.P.

[Hondo]

Very, very sad - my condolences to his friends, family and fans

I thought he was one of the best commentators of AFL Footy

Also condolences to you Wedgie losing a friend like that

[Brad]

So very sad, I still can't believe it.

I got Austar in the last half of 2006 and watched white line fever each night, he was a true professional who seemed a very nice guy.
Best caller in the AFL by a mile.
Tragic.

[Blue Boy]

I didnt believe it at first !!!

I am still in shock as I really looked up to him and what he had done with his career and he was younger than me !!!

RIP up stairs

[Mr66]

Clinton,Wayne Carey & Gerard Healy were the best commentary team in the business
in 2006 when they did FoxFooty's Sunday game that year.
IMO only Michael Williamson's calls of the late 60's & early 70's surpassed what these three did.

[Mr66]

Latest report is that it might have been a brain aneurisym.

[silent hour]

Have to agree with everyone Clinton will be missed. I voted for him as the best footy commentator in the last years Advertiser survey.

Way to young, so hard to understand why it happens.

RIP Clinton

[Rik E Boy]

RIP Clinton.

A well prepared presenter with real insight into the sports he covered, and with a dash of humour to boot which is a rare combination unfortunately in his field.

He will be missed.


regards,

REB

[CK]

A very sad weekend personally. I never had the privilege of meeting him, but admired him greatly for both doing the hard yards (not being an ex-player who sometimes have "easier" introductions) and being a concise, humourous and insightful caller. Someone who I looked up to very much in the field as a great example to follow. Have been numb since hearing the tragic news, and very deepest condolences to his partner and family - touched many people in so many ways. The world of sport is greater for his presence.

[Mr66]

The funeral will be held at the Citylife Church corner of High Street Road
& Cathies Lane, Wantirna South on Tuesday 15th January @ 11 am.
He will be buried at Anderson's Creek Cemetery in Warrandyte.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to Clinton's
favourite charities, the Alannah and Madelaine Foundation,http://www.amf.org.au
and the Red Dust Role Models, http://www.reddust.org.au.

[Blue Boy]

Watched the funeral on Fox today - it was a very touching and moving ceremony !!!

Makes ya think long and hard - be safe everyone life can be to short !!!

[Wedgie]

I caught the end of it, very moving when his partner spoke and when Rex broke down, very rousing rendition of Up There Cazaly and the tears flowed for me when one of my favourite songs (Time to say Goodbay with Sarah Brightman and Andreas Bocelli) played as they took the coffin out.

Does anyone know if its going to be repeated? Would love to catch the whole service.

[Blue Boy]

(Time to say Goodbay with Sarah Brightman and Andreas Bocelli) played as they took the coffin out.

It gets ya every time you hear it !!!

Makes ya think !!!

[Wedgie]

Ive sent an email to Foxsports asking if it will be replayed, if it is I'll post it on here.
There's highlights of the service at foxsports.com.au too

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Ive sent an email to Foxsports asking if it will be replayed, if it is I'll post it on here.
There's highlights of the service at foxsports.com.au too

It's on the News Active Channel, has been on continual replay since 2 or so.