Footy great’s health battle
A GOLD Coast footy legend who coached the Broadbeach Cats to a flag in 1996 is facing another devastating hurdle in his 28-year health battle.
Family and friends have started an online fundraiser to pay for expensive surgery in an effort to save Gavan Mcguane’s vision.
A footy hero in the late 1970s and ’80s, he hoisted the QAFL premiership cup as captain of Southport Sharks in 1983.
The ruck-rover captained the Sharks to the 1985 grand final before he left the club to be the captain-coach of Coolangatta in 1986.
He returned to the Sharks as a member of the 1987 premiership side and coached the club to back-toback flags in 1989-90.
Sadly, Mcguane’s life changed forever during a workplace incident in 1994 when he was just 36.
He lost all vision in his left eye and 80 per cent of vision in the other after he tripped and fell on to a beer keg, resulting in an alkaline substance mixed with gas spraying into his face.
After 28 years, Mcguane’s right eye has been “slowly deteriorating”, according to family and friends.
“(He) now requires expensive surgery to try and save his right eye so he can continue to see what little he can,” Rohan Partridge said.
“All going well, the surgeon hopes to fit him in some time in May, which is not far away.”
Mr Partridge and others have started a Gofundme page to raise money for Mcguane’s eye operation, post op care, medicine and follow-up appointments.
“With the contact Gav has had with people on the Gold Coast over the years, I’m asking anyone who can help Gav with a small donation, to do so and to spread the word to anyone else who can. Every little bit will count,” he said.
The inspirational Mcguane continued to coach in the 1990s with only one eye and became a speaker and safety advocate for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.