‘Devastated’: Sam Newman’s wife dies aged 50

Footy great Sam Newman has been left “devastated” after the sudden death of his wife, aged 50, in the couple’s Melbourne home.

Riva Christmas Party. Sam Newman with Amanda Brown

Eddie McGuire is among the Australians who have responded with shock to the sudden death of AFL great Sam Newman’s wife Amanda, who has died aged 50 in the couple’s Melbourne home.

The Herald Sun revealed the Geelong legend and former AFL Footy Show host found his wife Amanda Brown lying on the floor of their luxury Docklands apartment on Saturday night.

According to the publication, an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said emergency services were called over reports of a cardiac arrest at approximately 7.40pm, but Ms Brown was anable to be revived.

“I’m just devastated, I can’t say anything else,” Newman, 75, told the Herald Sun.

Victoria Police confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious.

“Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a 50-year-old woman in Docklands on Saturday,” a police spokesperson said in a statement to news.com.au.

“The matter is not being treated as suspicious.”

Newman is a member of the Geelong Hall of Fame, having played 300 games for the club between 1964-80.

He has also had an extensive career in media, as a broadcast commentator and one of the faces of the AFL Footy Show from 1994 until 2018.

Newman and Ms Brown had been together for 20 years before officially tying the knot in November.

Australia reacts to shock passing

Newman’s former Footy Show colleague Eddie McGuire told Fox Footy on Sunday that Newman had found Ms Brown after he came home from drinks with friends.

Her death comes as Geelong mourns former club president Frank Costa, 83, who died in his sleep on Sunday morning after a long battle with illness.

“It’s been a heartbreaking day, particularly for the Geelong Football Club, but for the entire football community as a whole,” McGuire said.

“(Newman) came home from going out with a couple of friends yesterday and found his wonderful wife Amanda dead on the floor of his apartment. Sam, we know that you know we’re thinking of you, buddy.

“I spoke to him last night and (he’s) clearly devastated by the whole situation.”

Sam Newman and Amanda Brown on their wedding day.

Sam Newman with Amanda Brown in 2001.

AFL great and You Cannot Be Serious podcast co-host Don Scott told the Herald Sun: “They’ve been together for 19 years and he depended on her a fair bit.

“He had a lot of feeling for her. What do you say? All you can do is be there.”

Veteran footy reporter Mike Sheahan said he was “really sad” for Newman.

“He was happy and that’s not always something you’d associated with Sam,” Sheahan said.

“It’s just terrible to find her gone at 50. Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend that stuff.”

NewsCorp columnist Rita Panahi tweeted: “Tragic news. Amanda was only 50. Thoughts with Sam Newman.”

Sydney-based author Amanda Goff posted: “That’s really sad. God, we really don’t know how long we have left do we.”

Sam Newman’s 20-year relationship

Newman and Brown were married inside their luxury apartment in Docklands last year with only close family and friends in attendance. The ceremony was officiated by Perfect Match host Greg Evans, and close friend Kevin King stepped in as Newman’s best man.

It marked the fourth time the 75-year-old had tied the knot, the ceremony taking place just days after Brown’s 50th birthday.

The couple were first pictured in the public eye back in 2001, celebrating New Year’s Eve at Crown Casino.

Brown remained out of the public spotlight while Newman often copped fierce backlash for comments made on social media or his podcast.

The pair were notoriously private, rarely posing for photographs together.

Newman has three sons — Max, Jack and Jordan.

Newman’s relationship with former partner Leonie Jones fell apart after she ran the Geelong great over which resulted in a broken leg and smashed ankle.

“I got run over. I got backed over by a light Korean-model car,” Newman recalled on his You Cannot Be Serious podcast.

Sam Newman with Amanda Brown.