Much-loved AFL icon Mike Brady — the man who famously penned and performs Up There Cazaly and One Day in September at grand finals — has had one of his guitars “sadly stolen”.
The acoustic guitar was pinched in South Melbourne on Sunday and anyone who knows anything about it are being asked to contact the police.
The guitar is said to be the only one of its kind and has an inlay of Brady’s name on the neck (at fret 14 to be precise).
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Brady — who alerted people to the crime on his Instagram page — is naturally desperate to get the precious item back.
“Stolen,” Brady said in a story, with a picture of the guitar.
“This was my trusty Maton that was sadly stolen from me.
“My Black Maton acoustic was stolen yesterday in South Melbourne.
“Maton Black Messiah Acoustic. An inlay of my name at fet 14.
“Please keep an eye out and report to police if you see it.”
Popular radio presenter Jacqui Felgate also alerted people to the theft on Wednesday.
“On the lookout for Mike’s guitar,” she wrote.
Fans were in disbelief and angry when hearing the news.
“Who does that?” one person asked.
“Not cool! Hope he recovers it soon!!!” another said.
“Bloody low life. I hope u get it back soon Mike 🥇” another said.
While a collector was certain it would be found.
“As a musician and a vintage acoustic guitar collector (we) can reasonably be assured that it will show up sooner or later. It’s a very distinctive guitar and anyone trying to sell it will be very disappointed in the result. 🎶🎶🎶👍🏻,” they said.
Brady, 76, is an English-born Australian musician and has worked in advertising as a writer of catchy jingles.
He was commissioned in the late 70s to write Up There Cazaly by Channel 7 and it instantly became a popular football anthem.
One Day in September, his follow-up track, is also synonymous with the game and a favourite among fans.
The ‘Lucky you’re with AAMI’ theme is also credited with Brady, among other well-known advertising jingles.