AFL world mourns loss of former Pies and Tigers star Craig Stewart

The AFL community is today mourning the loss of a former Collingwood and Richmond star who passed away on Friday.

Collingwood's Craig Stewart poses at the club in 1980.

The AFL community is today mourning the death of former Collingwood and Richmond star Craig Stewart.

Stewart, the father of current Bombers’ listed defender James, was aged just 66.

Stewart had an immediate impact in the AFL after walking into Collingwood’s 1978 team and impressing coach Tom Hafey.

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He was awarded the best first year player title after managing 21 games in his debut season.

Nicknamed ‘Snaggles’, Stewart went on to play 115 games for the Magpies – including back-to-back grand finals in 1980 and 1981 – and kick 122 goals.

The 193cm big man collected six-goal hauls twice in his time at Collingwood.

But he ended up getting traded to Richmond where he finished his career with a further 35 games, between 1984 and 1986.

Richmond is mourning the passing of former tall defender, Craig Stewart.

Stewart played 35 senior and 17 reserve games for the Club between 1984-86, after transferring from Collingwood.

(📷: @rhettrospective) pic.twitter.com/Rup6Tqprft

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) June 9, 2023

He retired with 150 games to his name in a career where he’s been remembered best as one of the key members of Hafey’s Heroes from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

In a statement, Collingwood paid tribute to Stewart’s time at the club.

“The Board, management, staff, coaches and players of the Collingwood Football Club wish to place on record our appreciation for Craig’s wonderful contribution to our footy club,” the statement read.

“Our thoughts are with his family, and all his friends from Collingwood, Richmond, Preston and beyond.

“(Craig) arrived as a key forward and played some outstanding games in that role, but also spent time in defence to great effect and in the ruck. He was often thrown around to fill holes wherever we needed him, sometimes to the detriment of his game.

“He was a big bloke, standing around 193cm and weighing just under 100kg, but he was agile for his size. His key attributes, however, were his marking and kicking.

Barry Rowlings tackles Craig Stewart in the 1980 Grand Final between Collingwood v Richmond.

“He was a lovely mark of the football, with sure hands and good judgement, and his kicking was superb. He was capable on both sides of his body but especially good from a standing start, where he could roost the ball a mile – especially when he got onto one of his ‘torps’ (he was one of the best exponents of the torpedo in the game).”

The Tigers posted a condolence message on their social media while the Bombers also paid tribute and pledged to support James through the loss of his father.

“We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Craig Stewart, father of current player James,” Essendon’s statement read.

“Craig played 115 games for Collingwood during the late 1970s + 1980s.

“We extend our deepest condolences and offer our full support to James and the Stewart family.”

Originally published as AFL world mourns loss of former Pies and Tigers star Craig Stewart