We'll win it for brave Oscar: Nathan Hindmarsh
**Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph**
March 26, 2010 12:00AM
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WHEN the Eels take the field against the Wests Tigers at the SFS tonight, a brave six-year-old boy will be there with them.
>
Oscar Buhagiar loved Parramatta, particularly veteran Eel Nathan Hindmarsh.
>
He was at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday to watch his heroes in action.
>
On Monday, he died in Westmead Hospital, after his little body finally gave up the fight against cancer.
>
Tonight, in memory of one of their bravest young fans, the Eels will take the field with special jerseys embroidered with Oscar's name and the number 11 - that of his favourite player Hindmarsh.
>
If the Parramatta players can overcome the Tigers, they have vowed to dedicate their victory to Oscar.
>
Hindmarsh, who had visited Oscar just three hours before he passed away, paid tribute to his little fan yesterday.
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"He lived for his footy on the weekend and would have been at the SFS tomorrow night," he said. "A lot of us will be thinking about him before we run out on to the ground and be doing it for him."
>
While Oscar watched most of Sunday's game at Parramatta Stadium, he was forced to leave early due to the heat and missed his team's dramatic come-from-behind victory.
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"He had been off his medication for a while and was pretty much on pain relief," Hindmarsh said.
>
"Oscar was someone who I thought about a lot and I always checked up on him.
>
"He wasn't too coherent on Monday, but his family were there and his grandmother told a joke to lighten the mood.
>
"He was a cheeky little bugger who was loved by his parents. He fought so hard throughout his illness and his parents are so proud of him."
>
Oscar played football with the Kellyville Bushrangers before cancer denied him from competing. He was no stranger to the club and was given special treatment at last year's NRL Grand Final, where he took delivery of the premiership trophy from Broncos great Darren Lockyer and former Bulldogs star Hazem El Masri.
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Eels winger Eric Grothe said the death of Oscar only served as a timely reminder of what is important in life.
>
"He was a happy little guy who loved being around us," Grothe said.
>
"We're a professional football side and you go into all games motivated, but when you hear about a little soul like this it just gives you that extra kick up the backside."
>
The special-edition jerseys will be auctioned off on the Parramatta Eels website.
>
Grothe lightened the mood himself when he spoke about tonight's clash against fierce rivals the Tigers.
>
"It will be a great game. It's unfortunate I have to play [because] I would have loved watching it on TV," Grothe said.
>
"It won't be as hot as last Sunday, that's for sure. And I'll have to mark up on Lote [Tuqiri]. We'll have to get numbers on him and force him infield. Hopefully the guys around me will tackle him because I don't want to."
😢
**Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph**
March 26, 2010 12:00AM
>
WHEN the Eels take the field against the Wests Tigers at the SFS tonight, a brave six-year-old boy will be there with them.
>
Oscar Buhagiar loved Parramatta, particularly veteran Eel Nathan Hindmarsh.
>
He was at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday to watch his heroes in action.
>
On Monday, he died in Westmead Hospital, after his little body finally gave up the fight against cancer.
>
Tonight, in memory of one of their bravest young fans, the Eels will take the field with special jerseys embroidered with Oscar's name and the number 11 - that of his favourite player Hindmarsh.
>
If the Parramatta players can overcome the Tigers, they have vowed to dedicate their victory to Oscar.
>
Hindmarsh, who had visited Oscar just three hours before he passed away, paid tribute to his little fan yesterday.
>
"He lived for his footy on the weekend and would have been at the SFS tomorrow night," he said. "A lot of us will be thinking about him before we run out on to the ground and be doing it for him."
>
While Oscar watched most of Sunday's game at Parramatta Stadium, he was forced to leave early due to the heat and missed his team's dramatic come-from-behind victory.
>
"He had been off his medication for a while and was pretty much on pain relief," Hindmarsh said.
>
"Oscar was someone who I thought about a lot and I always checked up on him.
>
"He wasn't too coherent on Monday, but his family were there and his grandmother told a joke to lighten the mood.
>
"He was a cheeky little bugger who was loved by his parents. He fought so hard throughout his illness and his parents are so proud of him."
>
Oscar played football with the Kellyville Bushrangers before cancer denied him from competing. He was no stranger to the club and was given special treatment at last year's NRL Grand Final, where he took delivery of the premiership trophy from Broncos great Darren Lockyer and former Bulldogs star Hazem El Masri.
>
Eels winger Eric Grothe said the death of Oscar only served as a timely reminder of what is important in life.
>
"He was a happy little guy who loved being around us," Grothe said.
>
"We're a professional football side and you go into all games motivated, but when you hear about a little soul like this it just gives you that extra kick up the backside."
>
The special-edition jerseys will be auctioned off on the Parramatta Eels website.
>
Grothe lightened the mood himself when he spoke about tonight's clash against fierce rivals the Tigers.
>
"It will be a great game. It's unfortunate I have to play [because] I would have loved watching it on TV," Grothe said.
>
"It won't be as hot as last Sunday, that's for sure. And I'll have to mark up on Lote [Tuqiri]. We'll have to get numbers on him and force him infield. Hopefully the guys around me will tackle him because I don't want to."
😢
