Many words could no doubt be used to encapsulate Zeb Taylor's life.
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And in the wake of his death from a motorcycle accident at Moore Creek on Friday afternoon, words were summoned to honour him.
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"A more genuine and caring bloke you'd struggle to find," the Tamworth Hotel said in a Facebook post.
"A true altruist in a world where selflessness is becoming a relic of the past.
"You are missed, and you are most definitely loved[,] mate."
The former president of the Tamworth Kangaroos - aged 39, married, a father of a daughter and a Hawthorn tragic - died after being thrown from his motorcycle when it struck a reflector post on Mooni Gap Road.
He was among a group of riders when the accident occurred - including a number of current and former Kangaroos, said the club's president, Brett Douglas.
Taylor was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to Tamworth Base Hospital. He died a short time later.
It just brought the reality of how life can be short ... He will be missed.
- Brett Douglas
He was a longtime Roos player who, Douglas said, would still throw on the jumper if the side was short of players - despite moving on to masters games.
"It just brought home the reality of how life can be short," he said of Taylor's passing. "He will be missed."
When news of Taylor's death spread, people gathered at the Tamworth Hotel on Friday evening.
Douglas said emotions were so "raw" that the Roos had to cancel their opening round clash against the Nomads, which had been scheduled for No 1 Oval on Saturday.
"The club and all the friends of Zeb, we're all totally shocked," he said.
Taylor's death had taken a "huge toll" on the Roos, he continued
"They [the players] weren't probably in the right frame of mind to play," he said, adding: "It's just a sad situation for the club."
It is probably appropriate that the Tamworth Hotel commented so elegantly on Taylor's passing, as Douglas said Taylor was a "lovable larrikin" who was "always on for a good time".
"He was always a good team man, always helpful with everybody," Douglas added.
He would be "missed by a lot of people", he said.
"His passing is going to affect them, when reality kicks in that he's not here any more."
The Roos would rebound from the tragedy, Douglas said, as that was what Taylor would want. "Because he loved his footy."
