A world without Dunc

I’ve been trying to write this story for weeks.

Like a plane in a holding pattern, I keep circling around it. A silly part of me thinks that if I don’t write about it, then it won’t have to be true.

I’m merely one of many people still trying to adjust to a world without Duncan McKenzie McHarg in it.

Duncan’s sudden death in Los Angeles just before Christmas at the age of 41 completely floored those who knew him and worked with him.

I first crossed paths with Dunc – as we called him – at Triple M Melbourne, when he landed the role of sports reporter for The Hot Breakfast, working with his boyhood idol Eddie McGuire.

Dunc was mischievous. Goofy at times. Smart as a whip.

Quite simply, he was just a tonne of fun to be around. We missed him terribly when he left our shores to take on the world.

A media favourite on the global tennis circuit, his death has left a gaping void at this year’s Australian Open.

Leading the tributes, women’s world #1 Aryna Sabalenka (pictured above with Duncan) told Wide World of Sports his death left her shocked and heartbroken.

“I didn’t want to believe that. I thought, I hope it’s a mistake or something.”

“We had a lot of great, fun interviews. I would never see it (conversation topics) coming. I thought he was very fun. Always smiling. Always nice.”

Aussie player Kimberly Birrell always looked forward to their post-match interviews.

“He never failed to make me laugh, whether I was nervous because I hadn’t done an interview in a while, stressed pre-tournament or sad post-loss.”

“I’ll miss Duncan’s goofy questions and the way he lit up a screen.”

Describing Duncan as the light of the show, former British professional turned TV host Mark Petchey said the players loved him and he always brought the vibe.

“I’ve never met anyone, really, in television that I felt was so happy – all the time – to do the job that he was doing.

“He’s a beautiful human being and we’re going to miss him.”

 When I interviewed Dunc for Radio Today in 2023, he described McGuire as a great mentor – firm, but fair.

“Eddie used to tell me, ‘When you come on-air, you need to deliver the news like it’s the most important thing in the world.’”

“I remember one morning, I’d had a huge night at Mick Molloy’s Triple M Bunga Bunga party. I hadn’t been to bed and rolled straight into work. I was cooked.”

Just minutes before he went on-air, Duncan confessed to McGuire.

“He laughed, gave me a wink during the intro, then proceeded to tell the whole of Melbourne about my bender.”

Since 2017, Duncan had been an international sports presenter, covering everything from the NBA finals to Baseball’s World Series.

From Tiger Woods to Novak Djokovic, he landed interviews with sport’s biggest superstars.

Working for Stan Sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he’d get everyone in the mood with a rousing version of ‘This is how we do it,’ before going to air each night.

Dunc loved the big UK DJs. He told me he was glad to see Christian O’Connell having success in Australia.

This Monday, Tennis Australia will host media drinks in honour of Duncan.

A celebration of his life at the MCG is planned for February 10.

I guess only then will it start to feel real.

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Images: Instagram, Stan Sport and supplied.