Sam Newman ‘devastated’ by sudden death of wife Amanda Brown

Mates told Sam Newman not to stress when he thought something was amiss with wife Amanda. Then he arrived home to a nightmare.

AFL icon Sam Newman was out with friends and reportedly tried to contact his wife before coming home later that night to discover she had died.

Amanda Brown, 50, was found dead inside the couple’s Docklands apartment on Saturday night, sparking an outpouring of grief from the footy community.

Newman had been out on Saturday with friends and had called Brown several times during the day – as he normally would – but in what was out of character for her she did not answer.

After completing one final job for the day he returned to their Docklands apartment where he found her collapsed on the floor.

According to entertainment reporter Peter Ford, Newman tried to contact Brown while he was out on Saturday, and was puzzled as to why she wasn’t responding.

“He’d been out with a couple of friends just for a quick catch-up and some fish and chips on Saturday night and while he was out he was sending texts to Amanda and she wasn’t replying,” Ford said on 6PR radio.

Sam Newman with wife Amanda Brown, who died suddenly at home.

“He said to his friends: ‘That’s really odd she’s not replying.’ They said: ‘Don’t worry, she’s doing something.’

“He was getting concerned about it because that’s not how it worked normally with them.

“He got home and unfortunately found her on the floor, dead.”

Newman, 75, and Ms Brown were married in November last year and had been together for nearly two decades before she suddenly passed.

“I’m just devastated, I can’t say anything else,” Newman told the Herald Sun on Sunday.

Emergency services advised they responded to reports of a cardiac arrest.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said paramedics were called to Newman’s home over reports of a cardiac arrest on Saturday about 7.40pm.

Victoria Police will prepare a report for the coroner and have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Brown’s death.

The couple when they first stepped out together in 2001.

Newman and his wife were together for two decades.

NEW IMAGES EMERGE OF COUPLE

Snapshots of Newman and Ms Brown doing what they loved have emerged while tributes pour in for the 50-year-old.

In the images, the couple is out boating with friends, including former AFL player agent Ricky Nixon and singer Brian Mannix.

Nixon and his partner Melissa Huynh were close with the couple and spent many days together on Newman’s boat.

Amanda Brown and Sam Newman on his boat. Picture: Instagram

“We’re all shattered,” Nixon said. “Amanda was absolutely a Rock of Gibraltar for Sam. We’re all going to have to work as friends to support him.”

Newman and Ms Brown were extremely private about their relationship, which spanned two decades.

She was not interested in being a celebrity and he was very protective of her.

While he was a public figure, their relationship was not public property.

They shared a common love of boating and would regularly host friends on afternoons on Port Phillip Bay with Newman on his boat.

Brian Mannix, Amanda Brown, a friend, and Melissa Huynh. Picture: Instagram

Amanda Brown roped Ricky Nixon during an outing on Newman's boat. Picture: Instagram

MATES RALLY AROUND NEWMAN

Newman has been supported by his sons and friends, who detailed how Amanda Brown was the TV personality’s “rock”.

The footy legend’s eldest of three sons, Jack, and a handful of close loved ones visited his home to offer their support and sympathy on Sunday in the wake of the tragedy.

Eddie McGuire was among the high-profile names paying tribute to the partner of his long-time Footy Show co-host.

“Sam, you know that we’re thinking of you, buddy,” McGuire said on FOX Footy on Sunday. “Our thoughts with all the Newman and Amanda’s family, the Brown family as well.”

Footy great and friend Garry Lyon said the loss was heartbreaking.

“Amanda, I’ve known Amanda for a long, long time and Sam,’’ Lyon said on SEN.

“That was the greatest shock yesterday. I did (speak to Sam), and it was heartbreaking.

“I love that man and I wish them well.”

Sam Newman and Amanda Brown on their wedding day last year.

The couple during a red carpet appearance in Melbourne.

Newman’s close friend Don Scott, co-host of their You Cannot Be Serious podcast, said he was shattered for the football identity.

“They’ve been together for 19 years and he depended on her a fair bit,’’ Scott said.

“He had a lot of feeling for her. What do you say? All you can do is be there.”

Former Herald Sun chief football writer Mike Sheahan, who used to be on the podcast with Newman and Scott, said he was also shocked by the news.

“I feel really sad for him, they got married just before Christmas,’’ Sheahan said.

“He was happy and that’s not always something you’d associated with Sam. It’s just terrible to find her gone at 50. Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend that stuff.”

Newman’s close friend Rex Hunt paid tribute to the happiness Brown and Newman shared and said he was shattered for his friend’s loss.

“Many of us have observed the happiness they shared and it was very special,” Hunt said. “Sam is always there for us and he knows we are always there for him at this sad time.”

Sam Newman (centre) with his former Footy Show panellists Eddie McGuire and Rebecca Maddern.

Radio host Ross Stevenson also spoke fondly of Ms Brown.

“We would like to pass on our condolences to Sam and to Amanda’s wider family,” he said on 3AW.

“It is a really sad event and she was a really lovely person; a really strong person.”

Former Collingwood captain and commentator Tony Shaw tweeted: “Horrible news about Sam Newman’s wife Amanda. I don’t always agree with Sam’s views but I worked with him on 3AW for 5 years and I found him one of the most loyal, honest and generous people you could find. Condolences to all.”

Newman’s former The Footy Show colleague Rebecca Maddern wrote on Twitter: “I’m devastated for my friend Sam Newman. His wife Amanda was only 50 and that’s far too young. It’s been a very sad 24 hours hasn’t it?”

Another source close to the pair said: “Poor Sam. They just adored each other.”