Shane, who lived on the Sunshine Coast, would still travel to most Sherwood home games in the past 2 years and when the Past Players Association was formally constituted earlier this year with an official elected committee, Shane was elected President.
It was soon afterwards that he received the diagnosis that his melanoma had recurred and despite a brave fight he was unable to beat it a second time.
Good mate Terry O'Shea said ‘Shagga’ was a bit of a character with some larrikin in him and who can forget that naughty boy smile he had. He and a few other Old Boys said they had never heard a bad word about him. An anecdote they related was whern they picked him up his mum would always ask whether he had his hankie so he got ribbed about that often and they remember him brillantly taking off 1970s comedy character "Aunty Jack" at a club function.
Shane worked for the Commonwealth Bank and was transferred to Mt Isa where he played for a couple of seasons before being moved to the Gold Coast, where, "horror of horrors" he played for Palm Beach-Currumbin.
It was on the Gold Coast he met his wife Julie and they then moved to the Sunshine Coast where they had two children, Luke and Abbie.
Shane was passionate about his children's sports activities and to underline his selfless commitment to his community he was the past President of Stella Maris Churches Soccer Club, Sunshine Coast University Rugby Club (for 4 years - his son Luke is a long time playing member) and is a Life Member of the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club where he chaired the Mal Pratt Youth Development Foundation for 17 years.
Shane Bridley was a "giver", a "doer" and he always put in far more than he got out of his efforts. He could light up a room with his cheeky smile and easy manner and was the epitome of the larrikin Aussie who just gets on with it, put the hard yards in and enjoy it as much as you can. While he retained a strong interest and was a frequent visitor, Shane only took on official roles within the club again in the past two years. Despite this, his death has rocked the Sherwood footy community like few others and is testimony to what he has achieved for the club and the Grey Magpies in such a short time.
The Sherwood football community expresses in sincere condolences to his wife Julie, children Abbie and Luke and Shane's three grandchildren on the sad passing of their husband, father and grandfather.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the attendees at Shane's funeral on Friday is limited. Sherwood Footy Club will be represented by good mates Terry 'OShea, Greg Adams, Des Lashman, Bruce O'Neill, Rob Lawson, Kevin Kluver and Warren Selvage.
The club is hoping to livestream the funeral in the function room at the club on Friday from 10.30 am (further details to come) and also invites all of Shane's friends and footballing mates to this Saturday's football match at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer where they will toast their good mate and remember his contribution to this football club, sport in general and to the general community.
Shane was the ultimate Grey Magpie, seeking no recognition for his efforts and simply seeking ways to help the club and those involved for no other reason but to see people get the same enjoyment from the club he got himself over his 58 year association with the Magpies.
Below is the re-creation of an edited article that appeared in various publications on the Sunshine Coast last week, including the Sunshine Coast Daily.
"He will be missed": Region mourns selfless sports identity by Tom Threadingham
With a cheerful smile and positive outlook, Shane Bridley spent more than two decades pouring his passion and time into supporting the region's sports community.
It was a dedicated and selfless contribution, and one that is fondly being remembered by friends, family and various clubs after the 70-year-old lost his battle with skin cancer on Saturday.
While a Collingwood tragic, Mr Bridley was a lover of all codes and fast became a prominent and friendly figure on the Sunshine Coast sport scene.
Shane Bridley is fondly being remembered by friends, family and various sports clubs after the 70-year-old lost his battle with cancer on Saturday. He is pictured with daughter Abbie, son Luke and wife Julie.
"He did a lot for kids in sport and wherever his children played he would also be a supporter of the club whether it be as a team manager or even some cases a club president," good friend Len Whitney said.
He's survived by two children, Abbie and Luke, wife Julie and three grandchildren.
Mr Bridley was a life member of Maroochy Surf Club, a past president of USC Rugby Union club, a past president of Stella Maris Churches Soccer Association, and also a proud member of Maroochy River Golf Club and the Buderim Snooker and Billiards Club.
He was even the co-founder of "The Grey Magpies", past players and supporters of Sherwood Districts Australian Football Club.
"He was always trying to help others," Mr Whitney said.
Mr Bridley was particularly prominent at Maroochy Surf Club, holding multiple roles including chairman of the Mal Pratt Youth Development Foundation for 17 years.
He received a Silver Certificate of Recognition in the International Year of the Volunteer for his efforts there along with 26 other surf lifesaving awards before retiring in 2018.
Fellow life member Ralph Devlin said "He was just one of the most courteous people I've ever met and was just a thorough gentleman," Mr Devlin said.
"He was just person who carried himself with the utmost dignity and politeness and you can't say that about too many people that you meet I don't think."
Long term friend Len Whitney said:
"(I'll miss) his cheerful smile and outlook and his wanting for Collingwood to win a football match on Friday night down at Mooloolaba pub
"He was a friendly, outgoing type of person.
"He was also a man who liked a XXXX heavy beer and felt that if you're having a beer it should be that.
"He'll be missed by us all and hopefully he's got a XXXX set up for us when we come and visit him again."
Shane Bridley is fondly being remembered by friends, family and various sports clubs after the 70-year-old lost his battle with cancer on Saturday 29 August
In a special tribute, Maroochy Surf Club will celebrate his life and contribution by having a drink in Mr Bridley's honour at 5pm this Friday 4 September
With COVID-19 restrictions at the funeral, next Friday, September 11, the club will also form a special guard of honour in the carpark with Mr Bridley's hearse to pass through on its way to Nambour.
"That'll be unique and great send off," Mr Devlin said.
Mr Devlin encouraged members to don club gear and help form the guard of honour at 12pm