QT
Junior Alesana (right) playing in the A Grade Goodna
versus Brothers rugby league grand final last year.
ON the rugby league field he was known as a being a tough-but-fair forward, always playing hard and by the rules.
Off the field, Junior Alesana will be remembered as the consummate family man, a hard worker who always had a smile on his face.
The 31-year-old Springfield resident died unexpectedly on Friday night, leaving the Ipswich rugby league and Samoan communities in mourning at the loss of the gentle giant.
Friends and family yesterday paid tribute to Mr Alesana, who leaves behind wife Michelle and three-year-old daughter Katie-Scarlett. His brother Frank Pulou said Mr Alesana was a man who made family the number one priority in his life.
"Most people will know him as being quietly spoken, but among family he was the life of the party," Mr Pulou said.
"Junior was the kind of guy where if anyone had a problem at all, he would be the first one to be there and offer support, he just loved being with family.
"He absolutely loved his daughter, Katie-Scarlett was the apple of his eye, and he was devoted to his wife Michelle, who he only married last year."
He said the family was overwhelmed with the support they had received from the Ipswich community in the days since Mr Alesana's death.
While he worked in the construction industry around Ipswich for some time, Mr Alesana was best known in the Ipswich community as a keen league player in a career that spanned many clubs and years.
After playing junior football at Goodna and District Rugby League Club, Mr Alesana played in the Ipswich Rugby League A-Grade competition with the Goodna, West End, Swifts and Brothers, along with a stint with the Ipswich Jets.
Goodna club stalwart Craig Wehrman, who captained and coached Mr Alesana, said his sudden passing had shocked the rugby league community.
"Junior was just a great bloke, a very likeable person that was always smiling and lifting the spirits of others," Mr Wehrman said.
"His family were a big part of his life, and all our thoughts go out to his family at this time."
Brothers captain Tyron Day, who played in last year's premiership winning side with Mr Alesana, said he had a likeably personality that rubbed off on all who knew him.
"I think most people in league will always remember him with a big smile on his face – nothing seemed to faze him at all," Mr Day said.
Mr Alesana died in his sleep on Friday night, and the cause of his death is still being investigated.
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