Up There Cazaly anthem hero Mike Brady reveals heartbreak over missing 'family member' as he issues public plea for help

Australian musical legend Mike Brady has become a victim of a thoughtless crime.

Known for his classic Aussie Rules anthem Up There Cazaly, the 76-year-old took to social media this week to report that one of his priceless guitars has been stolen.

A heartbroken Brady, who described the lost instrument as a 'family member', said that the black acoustic guitar was pinched by thieves in South Melbourne on Sunday.

Beloved by AFL fans for his regular performances at Grand Final time, Brady pleaded for information about the priceless item on his Instagram.

Brady included pictures of the missing piece in his post, explaining in the caption that it even has his own name emblazoned on the neck of the guitar.

'Stolen,' Brady said in the caption.

'This was my trusty Maton that was sadly stolen from me. If you see it please report it to police' he continued. 

He included a diagram with an arrow pointing to his name on the guitar neck. 

Fans responded to Brady's pleas with sympathy online including a collector who pointed out that the guitar is a one of a kind 

'As a musician and a vintage acoustic guitar collector (we) can reasonably be assured that it will show up sooner or later,' they messaged.

'It's a very distinctive guitar and anyone trying to sell it will be very disappointed in the result.' 

Up There Cazaly was created by Brady in 1979 as a rousing Aussie Rules anthem that is synonymous with the sport and became the highest-selling Australian single of its time.

Originally penned to promote Channel Seven's coverage of the Victorian Football league it was first performed by The Two Man Band featuring Mike and Peter Sullivan.

The tune has since gone on to become the unofficial anthem of Australian Rules Football.

Its title references South Melbourne and St Kilda star Roy Cazaly, a legendary footballer known for his high-flying marks, who inspired the phrase 'Up there Cazaly!'

The tune has since gone on to become the unofficial anthem of Australian Rules Football.

It was also used in the classic 1980 Aussie Rules drama The Club with Jack Thompson. 

Today, the tune remains a beloved part of AFL tradition, played at grand finals and evoking nostalgia and pride among Australian football fans.

It comes after Mike Brady was overwhelmed with praise with his AFL Grand final performance in September.

Brady, once again, performed his iconic tune Up There Cazaly in front of more than 100,000 footy fans at the MCG.

He has performed the iconic tune at 14 AFL Grand finals starting with his first in 1979.

Speaking to A Current Affair before his 2024 Grand Final performance, Mike said, after all these years, he still gets a thrill out of performing the tune at such a large event.

'My first grand final was 1979, Carlton vs Collingwood. It was a full house and it was like coming home,' he said.

'I love it when I walk out. I get this feeling of warmth from the crowd.'