Heartbroken Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck talks about family’s pain at losing son Shane
Michael Tuck and his family have been overwhelmed by the support they’ve received following son Shane’s death. The grieving AFL legend has urged anyone who feels the world is closing in on them to seek help.
Richmond
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Michael Tuck says he will cherish the time he had with his son Shane and will “never get over him”.
The AFL great was heartbroken on Tuesday as he and his family dealt with the “shock and pain” of losing his son on Monday morning.
As tributes continue to flow for the former Richmond footballer, father Michael said his son had issues and “he couldn’t get rid of them”.
“It’s hard to explain right now … shock, pain,” Michael said.
“He’s your son and he’s gone.
“He was a big, strong kid and he just had a few issues and he couldn’t get rid of them and that was the only way out.”
Michael and wife, Fay, have been overwhelmed by the public’s support and countless bunches of flowers they have received.
“We just want to thank everyone so much for their thoughts,” the family said.
Michael said his son was a Richmond man through and through.
To others who feel the world is closing in on them, Michael urged them to seek help.
“A lot of men think they’re all right and they’re actually not, and the best help they can get is telling people actually how bad they are, and not saying ‘I’m all right, I’m all right’.
“It was bit like that (with Shane), he kept it all in because he was a tough, strong man.
“But you’ve got to show … it’s not a weakness, it’s just to express yourself with honesty and don’t try to cover up things.
“He didn’t mean anything by it, he just couldn’t admit he had a real bad problem.”
Tuck, 38, played 173 games for Richmond between 2004-13 before moving on to a short career in boxing.
He is being remembered as a fun, popular person who always had time for everyone.
Michael said on Tuesday he was recalling the good times with his son to help cope with his death.
“I’m just thinking of the good times and you try to keep yourself busy doing things,” he said.
“He will always be there and I just have to be grateful for the time I had with him.
“Our family, his brother and sister, are very, very upset, so it’s a very, very sad family at the moment.
“We’ll never get over him.”
The son of a Hawthorn and AFL Legend, Tuck forged his own career at the Tigers.
Former coach Terry Wallace on Tuesday described Tuck as “super tough, resilient and had a hard country core”.
Michael said: “He created his own legacy because he achieved what he achieved himself.
“He was a Richmond man. I was very proud of him.
“He was a gentle giant man and never caused anyone any trouble out on the ground or anything like that.
The family on Tuesday visited the cemetery where Tuck will be laid to rest.
“He was a man’s man, he played it hard and played it fair,” Michael said.
“For his size, he was a lot better footballer than what people gave him credit for.
“It took him a long time to prove himself and in the end he did prove himself.
“He didn’t realise how much people loved him at Richmond.
“He was a good footballer and we just love him for being who he was.
“He got the best out of himself he possibly could and that’s what anyone can do basically.
“My old coaches used to say, ‘If you’re just an average footballer but you get the best out of yourself, you’ve probably done better than a champion footballer who doesn’t get to his absolute best’.”
If you or someone you know is in need help, call Lifeline on 131 114, visit lifeline.org.au, or call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
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