Shane Crawford fights back tears as he opens up on death of his brother

AFL legend Shane Crawford was left fighting back tears as he opened up about the loss of his younger brother, Justin.

Hawthorn legend Shane Crawford was left fighting back tears as he spoke about his younger brother’s suicide.

Justin died in 2022 at the age of 45 in a moment that left the entire Crawford family heartbroken.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

As he looks to shine a light on mental health struggles, the 305-game player spoke about the struggles he has endured since losing his brother.

“It’s just like a wild storm that’s just thrown into your face and you just don’t know how to sort of move through it,” Crawford told Mike Amor on 7News.

“When I heard the news from my mother, and it took a full day for my mother to communicate with me.

“You have days where...,” he says before pausing as the emotion hits.

“... where you look for answers and they’re not there.”

Shane Crawford fought back tears speaking about his brother.

Justin Crawford died in 2022. Picture: Sporting Pix.

The two brothers shared their childhood dream of running out for an AFL game together when Justin joined Shane at Hawthorn in 1997.

Those memories are ones Shane often reflects on and says he has a simple message if his brother was still around.

“I was very proud of him and probably needed to tell him more,” he said.

“I’d tell him he’s always been loved and cherished and to grow into an old man.”

03/11/1996. Brothers in arms Shane Crawford and brother Justin Crawford will play together again for the first time in 10 years. Hawthorn.

Shane said Justin had left notes behind explaining everything that he was going through.

“We were lucky because we had a few little notes that were left and, it doesn’t make it easier, probably not, but there were a few things there that explained a little bit about how he was feeling and a little of him explaining how much loved and thanked everyone for helping.

“He adored his son and it was such an unbelievable relationship, to know he didn’t feel worthy enough to be around for that. He was obviously well and truly over the cliff.”

Justin played four seasons in the AFL after being selected by the Swans before the 1994 AFL Draft, he went on to tally a total of 46 games for the Swans and Hawks were he kicked a total of 32 goals.

After two seasons with Sydney and two with Hawthorn, Justin called time on his AFL career and walked away from the game at the age of only 21.

Originally published as Shane Crawford fights back tears as he opens up on death of his brother