The Tamworth man was involved in a head-on crash on Werris Creek Rd on Monday and passed away in a Newcastle hospital the following day. The driver of the other vehicle died at the scene.

Partner Leteasha Darlington told The Leader Mr Nean loved his children and was eagerly anticipating the birth of another child at the end of the year.

“He was a real family man and very protective,” she said.

The couple have three daughters, aged nine, eight and five, and found out they were having a fourth child just four days before the crash.

“We are expecting another baby in early December,” she said.

“We found out last Thursday and he was excited and very happy, because he loved big families and loved kids.” 

Mr Nean came from a large family, with three sisters and six brothers.

“He was very proud of his kids,” Ms Darlington said.

“Buddy loved to go fishing with the girls, loved going to the girls’ school at Westdale and loved watching them get awards at assemblies, and if they had a concert on, he would always be there. 

“He liked giving the kids experiences that he could give, like he’d just taken them to the Royal Easter Show.”

He was known throughout the region for his rugby league ability and had played for the Quirindi Grasshoppers and West Tamworth, and was to play for the Barraba Bulldogs this year.

“He loved being part of the footy and loved watching it,” another family member said.

“He was just really happy, easygoing, everyone got along with him and he had a good sense of humour.”

Mr Nean was a passionate Wests Tigers fans and “loved his NRL”, barracking for the Blues in the State of Origin.

The family continues to ask for people to contact Tamworth police if they have any information regarding Monday’s accident.

The trial game today between Barraba and Bundarra will also serve as a fundraiser for Mr Nean’s young family.