Victorian Football Community Mourns Damien Scully, 28, After Rare Cancer Battle

The Australian Rules football community in Victoria is mourning the loss of Damien Scully, a 28-year-old player who died last week after a battle with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Scully was diagnosed with a grade 4 diffuse midline glioma in 2024 after falling seriously ill following a game.

On the day of his passing, loved ones played the Pearcedale Football Club theme song in his hospital room. A video shared by friend Kristie Wyatt captured the poignant moment as Scully was surrounded by family and friends. "Pearcedale footy club was where the love of football started for Damo," Wyatt wrote on social media. "And life long mates and friendships were made. We played this song for Damo on his last day." MazeImage1: url= | alt=Hero video poster | dimensions=?x?

The Pearcedale Football Club, where Scully had been involved his entire life, released a statement calling him a "much loved member of the Dales family." The club noted that his "presence, friendship and contribution to our club over the years will never be forgotten." MazeImage2: url= | alt=The highly respected footballer had been around Melbourne's Pearcedale football club for his entire life | dimensions=634x1127 MazeImage3: url= | alt=Pictured: A still from a video showing Scully's loved ones gathered around him in hospital as the Pearcedale team song was played on the day he passed away | dimensions=634x1127

Scully also played for the Pines Football Club from 2019 to 2021, which remembered him as a "lovely, happy, caring and honest young man with an incredibly infectious smile and bubbly personality." He also made a "profound impact" during his time with the Fish Creek Kangaroos, helping the team win a premiership in 2023. MazeImage4: url= | alt=Scully has also been fondly remembered by the Fish Creek and Pines clubs | dimensions=634x848

Scully proposed to his fiancée, Layla Kelly, in December of the previous year. In January 2024, he shared an update on social media, expressing gratitude for his time. "Over a year on from a stage 4 brain cancer diagnosis, I'm living life to the absolute fullest," he wrote. "So grateful for another birthday with my family and friends, and beyond thankful that the love of my life said yes to marrying me." MazeImage5: url= | alt=Beloved footy player Damien Scully lost his cancer battle last week. He's pictured with his fiancée Layla Kelly after proposing in December last year | dimensions=634x647

Kelly had initiated a GoFundMe campaign for Scully, describing how his illness began after a football game. A CT scan revealed a bleed on his brain, and subsequent investigations led to the cancer diagnosis. "If you know Dame then I don’t even have to explain how special he is," she wrote. "He is a wonderful partner, a devoted family member and a dear friend." MazeImage6: url= | alt=Kelly called her man 'a wonderful partner, a devoted family member and a dear friend' when she started a GoFundMe for him in 2024 | dimensions=634x627