Hawthorn assistant coach Brett Ratten's life will be forever punctuated by the loss of his beloved, cheeky son in a horror car crash near Melbourne.
Ratten wrote a moving tribute to his son Cooper, 16, in Monday's Herald Sun, as police continue to investigate whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the tragedy at Yarra Glen early on Sunday.
"We love you so much," Ratten wrote. "We will miss you forever.
"You had so much potential and ability in the things you set your mind to.
"You have been taken way too soon and we will miss your smile, your laugh and all your cheekiness.
"These memories will last forever. I wish I could kiss you, hug you, and hold you tight."
Cooper was killed in a car roll-over near Melbourne, several hours after a function at his Yarra Glen Football Club.
Two of Cooper's teammates were pulled alive from the wreckage.
The driver, 17, from Healesville, remained at the Alfred Hospital on Monday, while the front seat passenger, 17, has been released.
No charges have been laid.
But police are looking at whether alcohol and drugs were factors in the high-speed crash in a suspected stolen car.
None of the teenagers are old enough to hold a licence but investigators have said the driver may have held a learner's permit.
Yarra Glen FC president Vincent Erickson says club members will be offered counselling to deal with the shock of Cooper's loss.
"He was a respected kid and a talented footballer," Mr Erickson said. "It's just a massive loss to the club."
Friend Jasmine Williams spoke of her devastation on Facebook.
"You look so happy ... I love you Cooper, my boyfriend now my angel ... forever," she wrote. "This world is so cruel."
The school said in statement: "May the Lord welcome Cooper into His keeping and look with compassion and gentleness on the Ratten family in this most challenging of times."
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