FLY high, Lochie.
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A huge crowd gathered at Pride Park on Saturday to farewell Lochie Connaughton who was killed in a motorbike accident in Bali during the week.
Hundreds gathered on the field between the under-17s and colts matches to pay tribute to their fallen mate with a minute's silence and the retirement of his number 13 jersey.
Tears flowed as family and friends formed a circle, while several players honoured their teammate by kissing Lochie's jersey which lay in the centre of Pride Park.
Described as a friend of everyone, Lochie was known for his happy-go-lucky attitude and cheekiness and was loved by members of both Orange City and Orange Emus rugby clubs.
Orange City teammate Sam Greatbatch said the tragic loss was still hard to believe.
"I've been best mates with him for 16 years, it just doesn't seem real yet," he said.
"I put something up on Facebook last night but I didn't think there would be so many people get down here today. The support and messages from people have been unbelievable."
"He has made so many people happy, he is an unbelievable person and always will be"
As of Saturday afternoon, Lochie's teammates and members of the Orange community had raised over $54,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to support the Connaughton family.
As well as the tributes after their game on Saturday, the Orange City under-17s had two of their own during their win over Forbes.
"We loved him so much," teammate Jack Conners said.
"These armbands and his name on our wrists are for him. He's our motivation every game between now and the end of the season.
"He has made so many people happy, he is an unbelievable person and always will be."
Lochie's family began the journey home to Sydney with his body on Saturday night, leaving from Denpasar's Ngurah Rai Airport just before midnight.
Kuta Police Chief Wayan Sumara told Fairfax Media the 16-year-old crashed into a concrete wall.
"He wasn't driving under the influence," Mr Wayan said.
"We believe he didn't know there was a wall there."
No other vehicles or people were involved in the accident.
The Kuta Police chief said security guards found Lochie, who was conscious but weak, after they heard the crash.
He was in a critical condition when he arrived at Siloam Hospital and died soon after.
bryson.ferreira@fairfaxmedia.com.au
