‘Incredibly sad’: West Coast Eagles great dead at age 43
A West Coast Eagles premiership star has died at the age of 43 in a week where the AFL has already been rocked by two other tragic deaths.
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West Coast Eagles great Adam Hunter has died at the age of 43, the football club has confirmed.
The Eagles released a statement on social media on Wednesday morning.
“We are devastated by the loss of 2006 Premiership Eagle Adam Hunter,” the football club said.
“Our thoughts are with his family, teammates and friends.”
The West first reported Hunter’s body was found in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
According to the report, the body was found in Bunbury, south of Perth.
Hunter grew up in Bunbury and called the south-west region home.
According to PerthNow, Hunter was present during a pre-season training session at his South Bunbury Football Club on Tuesday night.
He went on to have a successful career after being selected with pick No. 29 in the 1999 draft.
The premiership-winning player finished his career with 151 games for the Eagles before his retirement in 2009.
Among many memorable moments, Hunter famously kicked the final goal in the Eagles’ nail-biting 2006 Grand Final win over the Swans.
He returned to play for his childhood club South Bunbury in 2010 before re-launching his career in 2011 with Swan Districts in the WAFL.
West Australian Police have not publicly confirmed the identity of the 43-year-old man found dead in Bunbury.
However, a statement has been released.
“About 12.20am (AWDT) this morning, 5 February 2025, police and St John Ambulance were called to a residence in Withers upon report of a non-responsive male,” police said.
“Upon arrival paramedics immediately commenced first aid, however; the man could not be revived.
“The 43-year-old man was declared deceased at the scene.
“The death is being considered non-suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.”
Hunter’s death is another devastating development in a week where the AFL has already been rocked by two other tragic deaths.
Former Brisbane Lions player Troy Selwood died on Tuesday in news that devastated the famous Selwood football family and the entire AFL community.
Earlier, Essendon VFL senior coach Dale Tapping died aged 59 following a battle with cancer.
Hunter battled legal issues following the end of his AFL career.
Serious domestic violence charges against Hunter were discontinued in 2021 with prosecutors telling the Perth Magistrates Court at the time there were “no longer reasonable prospects of conviction”.
Hunter had been accused of breaking into his partner’s Victoria Park home before assaulting her and preventing her from leaving in March, 2021.
His death has left figures across the Australian football community devastated.
Leading football journalist Ryan Daniels shared on Twitter: “Incredibly sad news. West Coast premiership star Adam Hunter has died.
“Thoughts are with his family, friends and former teammates. Extremely difficult couple of days in football.”
West Australian football commentator Paddy Sweeney wrote on X: “Very sad news with confirmation Adam Hunter has passed away”.
Former AFL player turned radio commentator Daniel Harford also shared a broken heart emoji in a post on X that read: “Bloody hell. Brutal”.
More to come...
Originally published as ‘Incredibly sad’: West Coast Eagles great dead at age 43
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