Dees players set to honour Anna Green with black arm band

Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones has told of his team’s wish to support Brad Green in the wake of his wife Anna’s tragic death, while the club prepares to honour the beloved young mum by wearing black armbands in their upcoming match.

The funeral for mum of two and entrepreneur Anna Green is expected to be held in Melbourne next week.

The funeral for mum of two and entrepreneur Anna Green is expected to be held in Melbourne next week.

Former Melbourne footballer Brad Green and his family were on Wednesday dealing with the heartbreaking task of planning a funeral for his wife following her tragic death on Monday.

In another touching tribute, the Melbourne Football Club will wear black armbands for their match against Adelaide in Darwin on Saturday.

All three teams of Mr Green’s former Tasmanian footy club University will also wear black armbands as a mark of respect.

Mrs Green, 40, died from a cardiac arrest about three weeks after undergoing eye surgery.

Her funeral is likely to be held next Thursday or Friday, with friends and family celebrating the life of a woman remembered as kind, generous and full of life.

Brad Green with Anna.

Friends said the funeral would be in Melbourne, where the couple lived a happy family life, instead of her childhood Tasmanian town of Low Head, near Launceston.

Cameron Bruce — a former Melbourne teammate and close friend of Mr and Mrs Green — sent “deepest sympathies’’ to her family “during what is such a sad time’’.

“Brad and Anna have such a tight-knit group of family and friends who have been getting together in recent days to help remember Anna in the right way and that has helped us honour her legacy and deal with the grief,’’ he said.

“It’s important for us all to remember Anna in the way she was in our lives.”

Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones said: “We’re feeling for Brad, his boys and the extended families on both sides — it’s absolutely tragic. Anna was such an incredible person, kind-hearted and full of love and care for everyone. A beautiful soul.

“There are no words to describe how I’m feeling.

“We speak about brotherhood, mateships and friendships for life and I’ve seen that absolutely first-hand in the last week,” he said. “The number of boys who have got around ‘Greeny’ in the last week from all reaches of the footy club, past and present players and staff, I know how much Greeny has appreciated it. Everyone has been touched by Anna’s passing and want to support Greeny and his family as much as they can.

“I think what it does show is that when you’re a part of a footy club, you actually are brothers for life. We’re very lucky to have that bond and connection of playing footy together, and none more so than the last seven to 10 days has that been more prominent.”

“I think all we can do is let Brad know that we’re here for him, and show him all the love and support we can,” Jones said.

“There is a deeper connection from all the boys that have played with him and the people that have worked with him at our great club, and I think the best thing we can do is to just show our support, even in a very small way.”

Melbourne’s Past and Present Player’s and Officials Association said she was “a special friend to so many and a loved member of the MFC community.

“She will be greatly missed,’’ it said in a statement.

Anna Green has been remembered as a beautiful person and caring soul.

Anna leaves behind two sons.

“Anna, we will remember you with much fondness and will always be here for Brad and your beautiful boys.’’

University president Matt Martin said: “Anna was a much loved person with wonderful caring qualities and will be sadly missed.

“I would like to pass on my deepest sympathies to Brad Green and his two boys Oliver and Wilba on the tragic passing of their much loved wife and mother.

“The news has deeply affected our football club, which Brad has been an important member of for a number of years, both as a player and a mentor.’’

TRIBUTE: ANNA’S BEAUTIFUL SMILE WON’T BE FORGOTTEN

Carlton assistant coach Bruce vowed to help Green through the toughest of times.

“It is during difficult times like this that family becomes so important and my own family will always be there for Brad, his boys and the families,’’ he said.

On Mr Green’s Instagram page, where he left a tribute to a wife he would “miss until we meet again’’, former Melbourne footballer Steven Febey said: “my deepest sympathies bud.

“Nothing but love for you and your family.’’

Geelong great Sam Newman also shared his sympathy.

“You never know what life’s going to throw at you,’’ he tweeted.

“Condolences to Brad Green and family for unexpected passing of wife, Anna.’’

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