McCaig, a Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong favourite son, passed away on Tuesday, aged 47, after an illness.

Good friend Phil Hatty said McCaig had a great love for GGGM.

“It was second only to his family,” Hatty said.

“It was probably before his farm, to his farm’s detriment at times but he spent a good lot of time at the footy club.”

McCaig played a major part in the rebuild of the GGGM football sheds in 2006 as project manager.

He was president of the Lions from 2007-09 and 2012-13, a period which resulted in two premierships.

McCaig was also involved in coaching at both the junior and senior clubs, recruiting. He was also a former player and selector.

“Right through the competition he was known as just a genuine bloke,” Hatty said.

“There was no bullshit about him. When things weren’t going so well, he just had a way with words so that he didn’t upset or offend anyone and got things sorted out.

“He was also a generous supporter of anything happening in the community.”

A lifelong North Melbourne fan, McCaig was at the MCG to enjoy the Kangaroos’ 1996 premiership and had recently been contacted by Brent Harvey while in hospital.

McCaig is survived by wife Sue and children Emily, Jack, Max and Molly.