Cats escape from Bali terror
October 19 2002

A group of 20 Geelong players, including Tim McGrath (right), David Mensch, James Rahilly, David Spriggs, Josh Hunt, David Clarke, and Paul Chapman escape uninjured but mentally scarred after being in Kuta not far from where the bomb blasts hit. The terrorist attacks have claimed just under 200 innocent lives and physically injured hundreds more.

Most of the players got on early flights back to Australia on the Monday, and were the lucky ones. Many other Australian footballers of all codes on end of season trips did not make it home and are still missing, presumed dead. Kangaroo Jason McCartney remains in a critical but stable condition in Melbourne's Alfred hospital.

Tim McGrath reportedly took charge of the players' group, who then made it to the Hard Rock Hotel where Steven King had a room. Those of us who known Bali well would know the Bounty Hotel and the Sari Club, the former where most of the Geelong players were staying.

Other AFL clubs with representatives in Bali were the Dockers, Port Adelaide, Melbourne. Clubs such as Kingsley (WA), Southport (Qld), and Sturt (SANFL) were also present and lost players.

The Geelong players were very fortunate not to be at the Sari Club, having been there for the preceeding 4 or 5 nights. The Saturday was the anniversary of the death of Paul Chapman's brother in an accident, and was the main reason why the bulk of the players lounged around the Bounty Hotel's pool that evening.

Reference: Article from GFC.com.au