AFL 2020: Shane Tuck tribute in Richmond vs GWS leaves stars emotional
The AFL has honoured former Richmond star Shane Tuck as Tigers players linked arms in an emotional moment to honour their former teammate.
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Richmond stars have appeared openly emotional as the AFL paid respect to Shane Tuck with an emotional minute of silence before the Tigers’ clash with the Giants on Friday night.
Tigers star Jack Riewoldt was stone-faced before the first siren as players linked arms and honoured Tuck, who died at the age of 38 this week.
The AFL announced earlier players from Richmond, GWS and the on-field umpires will all wear black armbands.
Tuck’s death sparked an outpouring of emotion from a footy community devastated at losing one of the game’s true good guys this week.
The son of Hawthorn legend Michael, Tuck forged a mighty career of his own, playing 173 games for Richmond to become a Tigers icon and one of the most respected players in the league for how he performed on and off the field.
A report on Tuesday by The Daily Mail indicated Tuck had fought and ultimately lost a long-running battle with depression. A former Hawthorn great told the publication: “They knew at Hawthorn and they knew it at Richmond.”
“He was a troubled soul right from the start,” the unnamed former Hawk said. “He struggled with serious mental illness for a long, long time.”
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Channel 7 commentator Bruce McAvaney gave a moving monologue in the moments before the minute of silence before throwing to a master of ceremonies on the field.
“Shane played 173 games for Richmond and was a life member of the club,” the on-field announcer told the Metricon Stadium crowd on the Gold Coast.
Rest in peace, Tucky 💛 pic.twitter.com/Cm8J053kEe
— AFL (@AFL) July 24, 2020
“A fierce and courageous competitor on-field and much loved off-field. He was a favourite among Richmond fans. Both Richmond and GWS extend their deepest sympathies to his wife, Kat, and children Will and Ava and his parents and his extended family and friends. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.”
ABC sports reporter Damien Peck described the silence that followed the end of the announcer’s speech as “eerie”.
Before the first ball-up, Tuck’s former Richmond coach Terry Wallace wrote on Twitter: “Regardless of the result tonight I hope the Tigers play with the spirit of Shane Tuck. That means hard at it & leaving nothing in the tank”.
Riewoldt was earlier this week one of the first of Tuck’s teammates to deliver an emotional tribute on the day of his death.
In an emotional piece published on the AFL Players website, several of Tuck’s former comrades penned some cracking tales that reveal just why he was so loved.
Dan Jackson said Tuck’s tough-as-nails exterior masked a soft side and he was “hugely empathetic to his mates, especially when he thought they may be doing it tough”.
During a rough trot in his career in 2012, when his poor form was a hot topic in the media, Jackson recalled being consoled by Tuck who put an arm around him and said: “Hey mate, don’t listen to those idiots, you’re a great player, you’ll prove them wrong.”
Tuck’s heartbroken father and footy icon Michael Tuck spoke about the “issues” his son had and how he sadly couldn’t overcome them.
“He was a big, strong kid and he just had a few issues and he couldn’t get rid of them and that was the only way out,” Michael said to The Herald Sun.
The president of the local footy club where he finished his career in Adelaide said attempts were made to help the troubled star.
“A couple of people within the club were aware (of his battles) and were supporting him,” Goodwood president Craig Scott told the Herald Sun.
“Covid was terrible because it just isolates people so much.”
Originally published as AFL 2020: Shane Tuck tribute in Richmond vs GWS leaves stars emotional