These were the sentiments echoed by all those who paid tribute to Blaine Rozs, who was farewelled at a service held at Berry Showground on Friday.

Mr Rozs’ family and friends were joined by hundreds of mourners to honour the 19-year-old, who lost his life in a workplace accident in Jaspers Brush last week.

Celebrant Michael Bourke led the service, which was held on the football field where he proudly represented his Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies. His coffin was carried from the pavilion onto the field through a guard of honour formed by his Magpies teammates.

Mr Bourke spoke of the indelible mark Mr Rozs had left on those who knew and loved him. He described his relentless efforts to achieve his goals, his strength in the face of adversity, his never-give-up attitude and, most of all, the love he had for his family.

His passion for NRL was evident. His casket was draped in a junior representative and St George Illawarra jersey, accompanied by his football boots and ball.

His sister Crystal spoke of the little brother she would miss “every day for the rest of my life”.

His uncle, Dale, spoke of the grief of losing his nephew. Telling mourners of his love and respect Blaine had for his mum and the time she came home to find all her washing folded neatly from smallest to largest on her bed.

“I’ll miss you mate, I’ll mourn the man I’ll never see you become,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter the number of years you live but what you do in those years is what matters.”

Ted Boley from Berry Shoalhaven Football Club recalled a 14-year-old boy who arrived from Mittagong to sign up for the Berry Shoalhaven Heads junior team.

“Ï thought, ‘This kid looks like a footballer’,” Mr Boley said.

He recalled a time when Mr Rozs found out upon arrival at a representative game that he would not be playing that day. Instead of going home or getting upset, he filled and ran water to his team throughout the game and cheered from the sideline wanting only the best for his teammates

“Ï was always glad to having him playing with us and not against us,” Mr Boley said.

At the end of the service, Mr Rozs' casket was given a lap of honour around the showground to rapturous applause and a firework display.

His teammates gave one last cheer as he left his beloved footy field for the final time.

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