Source : Perth Now news
A former AFL star is being remembered as a “brilliant and caring teammate” after his tragic death at the age of just 37.
Port Adelaide on Saturday announced the death of its former player Daniel Stewart, who represented the club between 2010 and 2013.
In a statement published on Saturday, the AFL club said it was “deeply saddened” by his passing yesterday.
Club chief executive Matthew Richardson said the news had come as a shock to everyone at the club.
“On behalf of everyone at Port Adelaide Football Club, I extend our deepest condolences to Daniel’s family, including his mum Donna, dad Byron, wife Laura, two sons Bernie and Lando and his brother Leigh,” Mr Richardson said.
Stewart joined Port in 2010 and made 36 appearances for the club in a three-year stint.
During this time he scored 31 goals and became a key player in the club’s forward line.
“Daniel was part of the Port Adelaide football family, and he always will be,” Mr Richardson added.
“A sudden passing like this is devastating and our thoughts are with everyone who loved him, and with the teammates, coaches and staff who shared the journey with him here at Alberton.
“The club will provide support to those affected by Daniel’s passing.”
Mr Richardson also confirmed that the club will wear black armbands in his honour in its first home game of the 2027 season at the Adelaide Oval.
As the news broke on Saturday afternoon, tributes began pouring in for the forward, whose death has sent shockwaves through the AFL.
Among those to lead tributes was TV pundit Kane Cornes, a teammate of Mr Stewart at Port, who described his death as “a true tragedy”.
“A brilliant and caring teammate who always had a smile on his face,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“I loved watching him and his beautiful family from afar. He built a thriving business and shared a special friendship with Matty Thomas.
“[My] Heart goes out to his family.”
Mr Stewart joined Port Adelaide in the 2009 draft after he was recruited from SANFL team North Adelaide.
He had previously opened up about his experiences with depression.
“I felt like I had nothing. I lost my footy career … I couldn’t get a job, I broke up with my girlfriend,” Stewart said in a 2016 interview with The Age.
”That’s when everything went really downhill.
“I rang my mum and I started bawling my eyes out. I was like, ‘I can’t do this anymore’.”
