Shane Crawford’s family mourning death of his brother Justin

The family of Shane Crawford is grieving the loss of his younger brother Justin, a footballer himself who played in the AFL with Sydney and Hawthorn.

Shane Crawford and his family are mourning the sudden death of his younger brother Justin, a former Sydney and Hawthorn AFL footballer.

A highly-talented midfielder-forward, Justin made his own mark on the game, playing 46 matches and kicking 32 goals for the Swans and Hawks from 1995 to 1998.

Shane Crawford told the Herald Sun on Thursday he and his family were devastated by Justin’s shock loss, aged 45.

“We are all grieving,” Shane Crawford said.

“We are so sad. He was a much-loved brother and son.”

The Crawford family has requested privacy as they come to terms with the loss of their beloved family member.

Justin and Shane Crawford.

Shane Crawford.

No further details were available.

Shane, Justin and their older brother Andrew grew up in Finley, in New South Wales, along with their loving mother Dianne.

Shane Crawford spoke of his close connection to his mum and his brothers in his 2010 autobiography.

He said: “Growing up in a country town was an amazing experience. I’ve always wanted (my sons) to share a bedroom like my brothers and I did.

“We had such a great time growing up together and playing all manner of sports. We tried our hand at everything – footy and cricket, tennis and hockey, swimming and athletics, golf and even BMX riding.

”What she (his mum) did to raise three boys was phenomenal.”

While Shane was drafted to the Hawks in late 1991, his younger brother Justin was picked up by Sydney from Finley via Tocumwal as a New South Wales zone selection in the 1994 national draft.

Shane Crawford with brother Justin as kids.

Justin was only 18 when he made his AFL debut for the Swans against Brisbane in Round 3, 1995, having 11 disposals.

He played 10 games for Sydney in his first year under coach Ron Barassi, earning a Rising Star weekly nomination after a career-best 26-disposal two-goal performance against Fitzroy in Round 19.

Justin played another seven games for the Swans the following season, including in the 1996 qualifying final against Hawthorn – and his brother.

He was unlucky to miss selection for the rest of the Swans’ finals campaign, being overlooked in the preliminary final when Tony Lockett was returning from injury.

Photo Gallery: Justin Crawford

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He was approached by Hawthorn to join his brother – the siblings hadn’t played since the Finley under 14s when Shane was 12 and Justin nine – and was traded to the Hawks for the 1997 season.

Justin said at the time it had long been an ambition of the brothers to play in the same team: “Hawthorn asked me if I’d like to come over – I said ‘Yeah, if they could get me, I’d love it’.”

So much loss lately. Our thoughts are with the Crawford family at this time. RIP Justin Crawford. https://t.co/XFUbbYPEGB

— Hawk Talk Podcast (@HawkTalkPod) July 21, 2022

Wearing the club’s No. 23 jumper, he played 15 games and kicked 17 goals in his first year at the Hawks, making a strong on-field impression.

He added another 14 games in 1998 to take his overall tally to 46.

In a surprise, Justin walked away from AFL football – at only 21 – as he was keen to travel, despite having a two-year contract offer on the table.

Crawford then returned to football in 2005 when he played in a WAFL premiership with South Fremantle.

Shane said in 2010 that Justin “was not dissimilar to Luke Hodge in Hodgey’s early years – unbelievably talented but happy to go with the flow without pushing too hard”.

“They were country boys who didn’t really go for the bright lights and glitz of AFL football.”