Richmond ‘deeply saddened’ by tragic death of ‘warrior’ Shane Tuck aged 38

The Richmond Football Club is today in mourning after the tragic death of former midfielder Shane Tuck aged 38.

Tuck, who was the son of legendary former Hawthorn captain Michael Tuck, played 173 games for Richmond between 2004 and 2013 and kicked 74 goals.

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said Tuck’s former club was left “incredibly saddened” by his sudden death.

“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,” Gale said in a club statement.

“Shane was a warrior on the field, giving everything to the team each week, and a humble, fun-loving person off the field.”

Richmond faces the GWS Giants in a Grand Final rematch this week and will wear black armbands as a tribute.

Tuck’s father’s club, Hawthorn, also released a statement on his death.

“On behalf of the Tuck family, the Hawthorn Football Club is deeply saddened to inform the football community of the passing of Shane Tuck,” the 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.”

After being cut by Hawthorn, Tuck finished 3rd in Richmond’s best and fairest in his second AFL season (The Age)

Tuck was renowned for his toughness, and former teammate Jack Riewoldt recalled an instance where he played with a fractured scapula.

” He was a footballer’s footballer,” Riewoldt told SEN.

“He just did things Richmond people loved. He was genuinely, genuinely tough.”

Riewoldt was overcome with emotion when describing Tuck and the type of player and person he was.

“He was always consistent and through that period from 2005 to 2010 if you looked at the bottom of a pack at a Richmond game, it was guaranteed that Shane Tuck would be at the bottom or be tackling someone at the bottom,” he said.

Tuck pictured inside Richmond’s club rooms in his final season at the club in 2013 (Getty)

“We always had fun with Tucky. He was quirky as hell. He was as vulnerable as anyone as well. He knew what worked for him.

“He was obviously the son of a very famous footballer, but you could see he was brought up to be respectful.

“He would always have the time to talk to people. He was a people’s person.”

Originally drafted by the Hawks in 2000, Tuck spent three seasons at the club but was unable to make his AFL debut before he was cut in 2002.

After a slow start to his career, Tuck became one of Richmond’s most reliable ball-winners in the 2000s (Getty)

Tuck was then given a second chance by Richmond when he was drafted with pick 73 in the 2003 draft after spending the 2003 season playing in the SANFL for West Adelaide.

After a scratchy debut season, Tuck blossomed in 2005, finishing third in Richmond’s best and fairest after playing in all 22 matches and averaging 23.6 disposals per game.

In what was an otherwise dour period for the club, Tuck became one of Richmond’s most reliable ball-winners, averaging over 24 disposals per game in four separate seasons from 2008 until his final season in 2013.

Tuck’s tragic death sparked tributes across the AFL community, including one from long-time Richmond teammate Brett Deledio.