Shocked and saddened are wholly inadequate words to describe my feelings on the news this morning of the passing of Shane. The loss of someone so young, who lived life large and was loved by so many is just cruel and wrong.
To his family, Brooke, Jackson and Summer, Bridgette and Keith and Jason, the deepest sympathy from all of us at the St Kilda Football Club for your tragic loss. Brooke, Jackson and Summer – I know how important you all were to Shane, how much he loved you all and how proud he was of each of you.
The loss of Shane will obviously be felt so much further. For those of us lucky enough to call Shane a mate, and there were many, we have lost one of the most loyal, generous and decent friends we will ever have.
The cricket world has lost one of its best ever players, finest commentators and ambassadors. There are the many charities he quietly and enthusiastically assisted, the poker world that admired but feared a passionate and talented player, and I could go on and on.
And not just in Australia, but in India, US, the Caribbean and beyond, so many of us have lost someone we first admired for his cricket ability and competitiveness but then grew to love for his honesty, passion, humour and decency.
The Saints tribe has lost today one of its most passionate and committed members. As many know, Shane loved talking football and his love for the club was matched only by the quality of his insights. He put in so much – our last contact was on Sunday when I asked him, yet again, to do something to assist the club and he of course unhesitatingly agreed.
High on Shane’s wish list was that our club have sustained on-field success and win our second flag.
It grieves me so much to know that you will not be there for that mate but, now more than ever, all of us at St Kilda will be doing all we can to deliver your dream.
Farewell from all of us, Shane. You packed more into your 52 years than most of us could do in 20 lifetimes, but right now, we are wishing that we had you with us for so much longer.
St Kilda’s AFL and AFLW sides will wear black armbands and observe a minute’s silence in memory of Warne during today’s respective matches against Essendon and Geelong.
