Rugby, Australian Football: Aussie football player missing in tsunami in Asia

Melbourne Demons player Troy Broadbridge remains missing after he was swept away in the Boxing Day tsunami while on honeymoon in Thailand with his wife of just over a week. Broadbridge and Trisha were on the tiny island of Phi Phi, near Phuket.

It is believed that Broadbridge helped his wife to safety when the tsunami hit before he was swept away. Trisha, who is suffering concussion, was evacuated by helicopter to a Bangkok Hospital last night. But her husband has not been seen. Broadbridge's mother and sister flew to Thailand yesterday to search for the 24-year-old defender.

Melbourne football operations general manager David Fagan today said the club was hoping for the best.

"We are living in hope," he said.

"I'm, and the players are, hoping that this is going to all turn out for the best.

"There's been no news and we are just hoping that he's alive."

Mr Fagan said he spoke with Broadbridge's Adelaide-based family yesterday to offer the club's support. He said Broadbridge was a well-liked player and everyone at the club was deeply concerned.

"He's a quiet bloke and a very caring teammate," he said.

"He's very selfless and is well respected by everyone for that."

Melbourne's former Brownlow medallist and a close friend of the couple, Jim Stynes, today said the couple were "completely besotted with each other".

"You couldn't find a couple more in love and for this to happen it is just surreal," he said.

"It just gets more challenging as more time goes by."

He said Trisha was remaining positive but was concerned for her husband.

"Her mother and sister have flown to be with her, but I know Trisha and she would be more concerned for Troy than herself."

Broadbridge has played 39 senior games for Melbourne.

Associated Press