Former Richmond player Shane Tuck dies aged 38
Former Richmond player Shane Tuck has died, aged 38.
Tuck, a midfielder, played 173 games for the Tigers between 2004 and 2013, kicking 74 goals.
"We're incredibly saddened by the news of Shane's passing. He will be missed enormously by everyone," Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said.
"We send our deepest condolences to Shane's family and loved ones – his wife, Kat, children, Will and Ava, parents, Michael and Fay, and the extended Tuck family.
"Shane was a warrior on the field, giving everything to the team each week, and a humble, fun-loving person off the field."
Richmond will wear black armbands against GWS this weekend.
Hawthorn, the club of Shane's father and AFL legend Michael, paid tribute to Shane on Monday.
"On behalf of the Tuck family, the Hawthorn Football Club is deeply saddened to inform the football community of the passing of Shane Tuck," a statement read.
"Hawthorn Football Club and the entire football community extend their deepest condolences to the Tuck family and ask that their privacy is respected during this time."
Terry Wallace - who coached Tuck between 2005 and 2009 at Richmond and played with Michael at Hawthorn – said he was one of the toughest players he worked with.
“I always thought if he played any of the better players toe-to-toe they were never going to beat him,” Wallace told SEN.
Shane Tuck in action for Richmond in 2013. Credit:Sebastian Costanzo
“He would play under any circumstances.”
Former teammate Jack Riewoldt said the club had been devastated since hearing the news earlier on Monday.
"He became a cult figure. People loved him," Riewoldt said.
"You always walked taller when you had Shane Tuck playing next to you.
"He was one of those players you loved to spend time with because there was always a story to come out of that.
"He was a footballer's footballer and he was an extremely loveable character."
Gale said Tuck was a shining light early in his days as chief executive when the club was regularly given “hidings” on the field.
"We were quite numb [when told the news]," Gale said.
"He was one of our great players.
"Then you think about his wife and children, it’s just incredibly sad."
Tuck embarked on a boxing career after his retirement from footy. He rose through the amateur ranks to fight in five professional bouts between 2015 and August 2017.
He won three times, lost once and drew his last bout.