An up-and-coming footy star has stepped onto the field wearing a special pair of boots in memory of a young man who encouraged him to follow his dream.
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Scott "Scottie" Jolliffe would be turning 23 years old this weekend but his life was tragically taken in a car accident over four years ago.
Kai Watts, 16, recently moved to Sydney to further his football career and last week played on the Gold Coast for the NSW under 16 Rams team.
"Scottie had a lot of impact and was always there for me ... he was just a great bloke in general and just loved everyone," Kai said.
"It was a really good week; we played at Metricon Stadium and I got to wear my culture and Scottie's initials on my boots while playing."
Kai was named the most valuable player on the Rams team.
The boots were painted by local Wiradjuri artist Tyronne Hoerler.
Family and friends have remembered Scottie as a joyful man, with an "uncanny" ability to make everyone around him smile.
"Scottie loved the land and 'Gullie and he taught Kai to be loving and he just loved his AFL; he always talked about it and that was the thing that connected the boys together," said Kai's mum, Toni Watts.
"Scott made a huge impact on my two little boys at the time, who were only aged 12 and 13 years old."
Scottie's mum Karen Jolliffe said it has been a humbling experience to see what impact her son had on those around him.
"We're so in awe of what Scott has left behind," she said.
"It's hard to explain but when you lose a child, as a parent, you never forget but you often wonder and worry whether people remember.
"This is really touching for us, because it reminds us that people haven't forgotten."