29/08/2026
VALE DEAN ROUMELIOTIS
Forever #44.
It is with great sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we acknowledge the passing of our much-loved Dean āDeanoā Roumeliotis. Forever #44.
Our deepest condolences and love are with the Roumeliotis family, Deanās friends, his beloved teammates, and everyone at Doutta Stars who had the privilege of knowing him.
Deanoās journey with our football club began back in 2015 as an Under 8. But, as anyone who knew Deano would understand, playing in his own age group was never quite enough. He just had to test himself against the bigger boys, regularly doubling up in the Under 10s.
That competitive spirit never left him.
Deano progressed all the way through our junior program before reaching the Under 18s in 2024. And again, playing at his own level wasnāt enough. At 16 years of age, he made his senior debut with our Reserves that same year.
He was also the starting ruckman in our Under 18 Grand Final side in 2024.
In 2025, the group stepped up into Premier Division and Deano continued to establish himself as the teamās ābattering ramā in the ruck. Across his 13 games, he was named among the best on four occasions. Unfortunately, injury ruled him out of the finals series, but his contribution throughout the season played a huge part in helping that group reach a Premier Division Grand Final. An incredible achievement for a program that had not even fielded an Under 18 team just four years earlier.
This year, alongside his Under 18 commitments, Deano again stepped up to play two games in the Reserves. It was simply who he was. Always wanting to challenge himself, compete against older and bigger bodies, and see how far he could push himself.
The news this week has been absolutely shattering. There simply arenāt words that can describe the loss of our beloved Deano and our #44.
We are going to miss that cheeky smirk. That little touch of arrogance. That toughness. The mark where he would go back with the flight. The big smack out of the ruck. The handshake he seemed to have for absolutely anyone wearing a piece of Douttas merchandise.
Most of all, we will miss the teammate who always had his matesā backs and who played with enormous pride for the Star on his chest.
Deano loved a laugh. Beneath that toughness was an incredibly warm, quirky, caring and kind-hearted young man whose cheeky sense of humour had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome.
That same warmth runs through the entire Roumeliotis family, who have given so much to our football club over many years. Their contribution to Doutta Stars, and particularly the impact that Paul and the family have had on so many young people who have grown into outstanding young men, is something for which our club will forever be grateful for.
Right now, we are lost for words and heartbroken by the loss of Dean.
But we will forever carry with us all of the things that made Dean, Deano.
The cheekiness.
The toughness.
The loyalty.
The competitiveness.
The kindness.
The love for his mates.
The love for his family.
And the love for his football club.
Deanās legacy will forever be a part of the Essendon Doutta Stars Football Club. Such a kindhearted, beautiful young Man who got along with everyone at the club, from all ages and walks of life.
A service celebrating Deanās life will be held on Tuesday 1 September at 10:00am at St Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1 Gladstone Street, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039.
The Roumeliotis family are not seeking gifts. Instead, for those wishing to contribute, the family asks that donations be made to the Epilepsy Foundation. Dean lived with epilepsy, and in his memory the family hopes to contribute to greater research, support and awareness of the condition. Donations can be given via https://fundraising.epilepsyfoundation.org.au/s/2156/2192/s.
For those attending Glenroy tomorrow, a minuteās silence will be observed prior to our Under 18 game. We invite everyone who crossed paths with Dean to join us, arm in arm on the ground a small gesture to honour the enormous impact that Deano had on so many of us.
Our thoughts, our love and our arms are around the Roumeliotis family.
A teammate. A friend. A Douttas boy. Our #44.
FOREVER #44.
VALE DEAN ROUMELIOTIS
