FAMILY OF CRASH VICTIM SPEAK OUT ON ‘SPECIAL SON’
A STAR footballer killed in a Top End cycling accident had moved from the US to chase an AFL dream.
Alexander Aurrichio, who played for VFL side the Northern Blues, was riding through Howard Springs on Monday night when a fourwheel-drive struck his bike.
The 30-year-old, from New York, told his parents that he planned to “build them a house” in Australia just days before the tragedy.
Alexander’s mum Jill, speaking from the US, told the Sunday Territorian: “We are devastated.
“We are just trying to get through this.
“He was so special. He was always great to be around and he just made everything fun.”
Alexander – an All-American high school soccer goalkeeper who represented prestigious Columbia University in the sport as well as baseball – moved to Australia in 2014 after playing for the New York Magpies AFL team.
He lived in Melbourne, starring with the Blues where he was named best clubman in his first season.
He later played for the South Adelaide Panthers in the SANFL and the Southport Sharks on the Gold Coast before moving to Darwin to play for Waratah.
“He had a lot of fun up there and he saw things that you could only dream about,’’ dad Lou Aurrichio said.
“He was convinced he was staying there forever. He became Australian through and through.
“He loved the people, he loved the places.
“He was really, really trying to get to the AFL level.
“He was always trying to get his body back and ready and in shape. He was a true warrior. He left it all on the field.”
Alexander, who had taken up a builder’s course and planned to eventually settle in Melbourne, had shown his parents around Australia and was set to embark on an NT tour with AFLW friend Abbey Holmes.
He phoned his dad two days before the accident.
“He said: ‘You know what, I’m going to find a piece of property and build you a house’,’’ Mr Aurrichio said.
“And then this tragic situation happens. That was the last time we spoke.”
To assist the family go to gofundme.com/f/alexanderaurrichio- lets- get- roochhome