West Coast premiership player Adam Hunter dead at age 43

West Coast and the wider AFL community is mourning the death of Eagles premiership player Adam Hunter at the age of 43.

West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold has led tributes for 2006 grand final hero Adam Hunter who died on Wednesday morning.

Police have confirmed they are treating the death as non-suspicious after the 43-year-old was found just after midnight in a suburban home in Bunbury, two hours south of Perth.

Ambulance crews arrived and immediately commenced first aid but Hunter could not be revived and was declared dead at the scene.

Hunter will forever be remembered for his role in West Coast’s 2006 premiership, kicking the sealer against Sydney to deliver the Eagles their third flag.

Hunter was drafted to the Eagles from South Bunbury.

Hunter’s death comes after former Brisbane player Troy Selwood and Essendon VFL coach Dale Tapping passed away on Tuesday in a tragic week for the AFL industry.

Speaking on behalf of the club, West Coast Head of Football Worsfold said that Hunter was an ‘integral part’ of West Coast’s success.

“One of the iconic moments in this club’s history is the goal he kicks in that Grand Final, and that just sums up who he was,” Worsfold said. “He didn’t seek any recognition, even from that goal.

“Out of all my time in footy, which is a long time now, he’s probably the player that loved the game more than any player I’ve seen.

“I was lucky enough to coach ‘Hunts’ for a long time and he was just one of those players who put in 100 per cent everything he did at the club.

“All he wanted to do was play footy with his mates and share success with them. I know a lot of his teammates are reflecting on what he brought to them as a group and as footballers.”

Like several players of that time, Hunter had his off-field challenges.

He was fined $400 and ordered to pay $146.90 in court costs after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine in 2014 after a traffic stop. In 2021, he was charged with domestic violence offences, which were later discontinued.

On-field, in an era that produced some of the club’s biggest names, Hunter forged his place in West Coast folklore as one of the AFL’s best swingmen.

Headlined by Chris Judd, Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr, West Coast’s midfield got all the plaudits. But Hunter’s ability to win games off his own boot could not be underestimated.

When the Eagles needed a spark, they’d turn to Hunter. And more often than not, the tall defender would deliver in attack.

In 2002, he levelled the scores against Carlton late in the fourth quarter from 55m out after taking a strong mark. The Eagles would win by one-point in a classic after Mark Merenda added a minor score in the dying minutes.

In the 2005 losing grand final against the Swans, Hunter was swung forward and kicked two goals in a low-scoring game.

Adam Hunter and Daniel Chick with West Coast’s 2006 premiership trophy.

Then in the sequel, Hunter was the beneficiary of Daniel Chick’s iconic smother, charging into goal and handing West Coast a seven-point advantage late in the fourth quarter.

West Coast players and staff held a moment’s silence before training on Wednesday morning, led by chief executive Don Pyke.

Just before 10am, the entire club made its way out to stand in front of a visual tribute that read ‘Vale Adam Hunter’ on the big screen overlooking Mineral Resources Park. Players wore black armbands and Hunter’s #39 guernsey was displayed behind the goals.

There was also a sombre mood among fans in attendance for open training, many sharing their favourite memories of the Swan Districts product.

The South Bunbury Football Club, where Hunter trained as recently as Tuesday night, opened its doors on Wednesday night for players and supporters to mourn. Hunter won a reserves flag with the Tigers in 2022.

“It is with very heavy hearts this morning that we mourn the passing of Adam Hunter,” the club said on social media. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Adam’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”

Hunter was a key cog in West Coast’s premiership team as a swingman.

Swan Districts coach Andew Pruyn played alongside Hunter at the Black Ducks when he retired in 2009 after 151 games due to a debilitating shoulder injury. He said that Hunter was “one of the most unselfish people I’ve seen.”

“He was incredibly committed and one of the most dedicated to our cause and the football club’s success, both as a player and coach,” he said.

Selwood’s twin brother Adam was a premiership teammate of Hunter at the Eagles.

Younger brother Scott Selwood also played alongside Hunter in the twilight of his career.

The AFL Players Association has also offered its support to Hunter’s family.

Players have access to mental health and wellbeing support from the AFLPA, with the 2023 Insights and Impacts report revealing that 315 former AFL and AFLW players engaged in 3190 consultations that year.

Originally published as West Coast premiership player Adam Hunter dead at age 43