Disbelief over loss of mate

ONE of the closest friends of Andrew Schumacher says he is still in shock about his death and is waiting for the larrikin to walk through the door again.

“It’s been pretty difficult, especially because we only played footy with him a couple of weeks ago against Surfers Paradise,” former Broadbeach Cats teammate and friend Korey Fulton said of Schumacher (pictured).

The 44year-old “big gentle giant” died suddenly on April 14, leaving behind his wife Kate, their children Zoe, Abby and Toby, and his mother Judy.

“All our kids are the same age and we played a lot of footy together,” Fulton said.

“I started at Broadbeach in 1999 and it was Schuey’s first year there after moving from Surfers Paradise.

“We linked up again in 2016 and won three premierships together with the Old Boys.

“We have a lot of similar friends and had a lot of good moments on the field and off it.”

Fulton revealed it was only three weeks ago Schumacher, who has been working on his fitness, took it to former Collingwood AFL player and fellow Cat Jason Cloke in an interclub Masters game.

“Clokey is 38 and Jason was 44 but there were about four contests where he made Clokey look stupid, pushing him around and taking one handers.

“For a big man he was still so agile and he didn’t seem like he was struggling.”

Fulton said it was still eerie down at the club during training nights.

“It’s a bit surreal. You see all the faces of his mates and we are still not sure what to say or do,” Fulton said.

“It’s still such a shock and doesn’t seem real yet. It’s like we are going to see that face of his walk through the door like it has so many times. We are doing it pretty tough.”

The memorial for Schumacher will be held on Thursday. Schumacher was the principal at Merrimac State School and was also heavily involved in Surf Life Saving.