Adam Hunter: West Coast Eagles premiership coach John Worsfold’s moving tribute to flag hero

Adam Hunter’s premiership-winning mentor John Worsfold says the former West Coast swingman loved football more than any player he had ever come across.

The Eagles’ head of football — who coached all but 10 of Hunter’s 151 games at the club — has added his voice to the chorus of tributes for the 43-year-old after he was found dead at a home in Bunbury on Wednesday morning.

Hunter played in two grand finals for West Coast, including the 2006 premiership, where he was involved in one of the most famous plays in the club’s history to kick a pivotal goal in the final quarter of their win over Sydney.

West Coast, Swan Districts, South Bunbury and Carlisle have all released statements on Wednesday.

Police confirmed on Wednesday they attended a home in the suburb of Withers at around 12.20am this morning.

Bunbury detectives have seized an amount of methamphetamine and paraphernalia from the scene and they’re speaking to a number of witnesses.

Ambulance crews were called to the scene and immediately began first aid, but Hunter could not be revived and was declared deceased at the scene.

In a long and moving tribute released by the Eagles on Wednesday afternoon, Worsfold said footy was “just what he does”.

“I was lucky enough to coach Hunts for a long time and he was just one of those players who put in 100 per cent into everything he did at the club,” he said.

“All he wanted to do was play footy with his mates and share success with them.

“I know a lot of his teammates are reflecting on what he brought to them as a group and as footballers.

Out of all my time in footy, which is a long time now, he’s probably the player that loved the game more than any player I’ve seen.

“I understand that he went to footy training last night and had a kick for South Bunbury, because that’s just what he does.

“It makes me smile to inside to know that one of the last things he did was he went to footy training, and he would have loved it I can guarantee that.”

Hunter, a defender by trade, was used as a wildcard forward by Worsfold, who would swing him into attack in crucial moments.

Fans have remembered his goal to level the scores in a match against Carlton at Princes Park in 2001 as well as his famous link-up with Daniel Chick to seal the 2006 flag.

“He was an integral part of a wonderful footy team that played and won that 2006 premiership,” Worsfold said.

“One of the iconic moments in this club’s history is the goal he kicks in that grand final and that just sums up who he was.

“He didn’t seek any recognition, even from that goal.”

Chick posted his own tribute on social media, referencing Hunter’s grand final goal.

“I knew you would nail it and I always had your back so was instinctively what I did what I do and you were always more of a straighter kick,” Chick posted, accompanied by a still of the passage of play.

“You never be forgotten Hunts as they can’t erase this bit of footage.

“I’m absolutely shattered but is what it is, gone far too soon mate.

“Love ya mate. Chicky 17.”

Hunter’s death comes just a day after former Brisbane player Troy Selwood — the brother of West Coast players Adam ad Scott — and Dale Tapping, an assistant coach at Essendon, both died.

“In times like these, unfortunately I’ve been through it a couple of times, it just reinforces how tight knit the footy world is,” Worsfold said.

“We know that two past players of this footy club in Adam and Scott Selwood lost their brother ... we feel for them as well.”