Research Recent Deaths

[Jane Doe]

I see Kevin Ablett has passed away. Source: Drouin Football Club Facebook page.

 

[rbartlett]

Barry Schmidt, Carlton

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/tributes/notice/death-notices/schmidt-barry/6327371/

Barry Schmidt - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Wiki will need to be updated

 

[rbartlett]

Ian Jones, North Melbourne

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/tributes/notice/death-notices/jones-ian/6324418/

Wiki will need to be updated

Ian Jones (Australian footballer) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[GreyCrow]

Derek Chadwick 84 East Perth Games Record Holder at the time of his retirement

Also played 1st Class Cricket for WA

WAFL HOF

 

[rbartlett]

Tony De Bolfo reporting death of Brian Kekovich

 

[sherb]

Derek Chadwick 84 East Perth Games Record Holder at the time of his retirement

Also played 1st Class Cricket for WA

WAFL HOF

He was a pretty solid first-class cricketer, I remember him playing for WA in the early 70s when I first started following cricket. I'm pretty sure he was an opening batsman.

I just looked up his f-c record. 4082 runs @ 34.3. with 9 hundreds.

Combined with his footy record, that makes him an outstanding all-round sportsman.

 

[masai tu]

He was a pretty solid first-class cricketer, I remember him playing for WA in the early 70s when I first started following cricket. I'm pretty sure he was an opening batsman.

I just looked up his f-c record. 4082 runs @ 34.3. with 9 hundreds.

Combined with his footy record, that makes him an outstanding all-round sportsman.

One of nature's gentleman.

Played both games hard, but have never heard a bad word said about him from past players.

 

[mianfei]

Tony De Bolfo reporting death of Brian Kekovich

Elder brother of the better-known Sam Kekovich, he kicked four of Carlton’s seven goals in the windswept 1968 Grand Final, which would be his last game before a back injury led to his doctor recommending he retire. He crossed to his brother’s club for the 1970 season, but despite North’s deficiency in attack a recurrence of the back problems meant he retired in May after only four reserves games.

 

[Blue Heart]

He was a pretty solid first-class cricketer, I remember him playing for WA in the early 70s when I first started following cricket. I'm pretty sure he was an opening batsman.

I just looked up his f-c record. 4082 runs @ 34.3. with 9 hundreds.

Combined with his footy record, that makes him an outstanding all-round sportsman.

Some Test cricket experts of the time said that if Derek Chadwick had of been from the eastern states he may have been picked to play for Australia but in those days WA players were given very few opportunities at the highest level.

 

[35Daicos]

Tony De Bolfo reporting death of Brian Kekovich

This is quite remarkable:

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Look i might be wrong here - but was there another Kekovich brother who was a footballer and was tragically killed late 60s or early 70s

 

[35Daicos]

Look i might be wrong here - but was there another Kekovich brother who was a footballer and was tragically killed late 60s or early 70s

Michael Kekovich was the brother of Brian and Sam, and he died in 1971 (aged 17):

Vale Brian Kekovich - Blues' drought-breaking Premiership hero

The Carlton Football Club is mourning the loss of its hero of the drought-breaking 1968 Grand Final victory, the 34-game full-forward Brian Kekovich.

www.carltonfc.com.au

 

[The Blue Max]

Look i might be wrong here - but was there another Kekovich brother who was a footballer and was tragically killed late 60s or early 70s

“Michael Kekovich was the youngest brother of former AFL/VFL players Brian and Sam. He attended Trinity Grammar School in Kew, where he played several years of schoolboy footy for the first 18 side. He was signed by North Melbourne when he was 14 years of age, and was on the senior training list in 1971 at the age of 16. Michael had the choice to play in the North Melbourne side, however, always put his school team first.

During his three years at North Melbourne, Michael had not only won the best first year player award but also the highest respect from everyone at the club. A bright future was ahead of him with everyone looking forward to it.

The following year, was horrific. Michael, just 17 years old, a football champion of the future, was killed, on a jog home from football after playing for Trinity on a Saturday evening. Michael was hit by a car, close to his home in Doncaster. It was a tragic accident which left the school community and his family heartbroken.”

Abbrev. article from Reddit.

 

[WhiteHartLane23]

Couple of recent St Kilda deaths
Max Nowlan died 13/09/2025 (note: Russell Holmesby's tribute on St Kilda website incorrectly has 14/09 as DOD)
Jon Lilley died 21/10/2025

Oliver G

 

[GreyCrow]

Roger Rigney 211 games for Sturt FC

Playing Record
Years: 1959-1971
Games: 211
Goals: 250


Premierships
Member: 1966,1967,1968,1969,1970


Achievements
Member: Jack Oatey Vintage 21 Team
Member: SANFL Indigenous Team of the Century
Player Life Member: Sturt
Player Life Member: SANFL

In Memoriam - Roger Rigney - Sturt Football Club %

Sturt Football Club In Memoriam - Roger Rigney Latest News -

sturtfc.com.au

 

[The Blue Max]

Roger Rigney 211 games for Sturt FC

Playing Record
Years: 1959-1971
Games: 211
Goals: 250


Premierships
Member: 1966,1967,1968,1969,1970


Achievements
Member: Jack Oatey Vintage 21 Team
Member: SANFL Indigenous Team of the Century
Player Life Member: Sturt
Player Life Member: SANFL

In Memoriam - Roger Rigney - Sturt Football Club %

Sturt Football Club In Memoriam - Roger Rigney Latest News -

sturtfc.com.au

He was a great player - the predecessor to Mick Nunan.

Never stopped getting the ball.

Oatey knew how to pick a rover.

 

[35Daicos]

Vale, Frank Hanrahan

St Kilda Football Club pays its respects to former player, Frank Hanrahan, who has passed away.

www.saints.com.au

HANRAHAN, Francis John | Death Notices | Melbourne | My Tributes

Frank passed away at Westmont Homestead. Beloved Husband of Helen. Much loved Father of Brendan and Elizabeth. Father in Law of Felicity. Cherished Grandfather…

www.mytributes.com.au

Frank Hanrahan - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Oliver G

 

[rbartlett]

Fitzroy historian reporting that Greg Lourey, the Lions oldest player, has died aged 98 on Nov 30th

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Not long into 2026 and we've already got someone who's died.

Phoenix Spicer. (NM 2021-23 plus 12 games and 2 goals.)

 

[Catsace]

Some Test cricket experts of the time said that if Derek Chadwick had of been from the eastern states he may have been picked to play for Australia but in those days WA players were given very few opportunities at the highest level.

That changed rapidly over the next decade, when from memory the Test side had Laird, Yardley, Lillee, Marsh, Mick Malone and Kim Hughes at various times from the late 70's to early 80's.

 

[Catsace]

Not long into 2026 and we've already got someone who's died.

Phoenix Spicer. (NM 2021-23 plus 12 games and 2 goals.)

Article in the Herald Sun about him, with the horrible addendum of the lifeline number at the end. Just 23 y/o, very sad. Was going to play for Hoppers Crossing in 2026 under former Roo Jared Polek.