AFL legend dead as Collingwood and Richmond lead tributes for popular big man whose son now plays for Essendon
Craig Stewart, a popular former footy player, died at the age of 66, with Collingwood and Richmond leading the honours.
Stewart appeared in 115 games for the Magpies between 1978 and 1983 before being traded to the Tigers, where he appeared in 35 games.
He is also the father of Essendon player James Stewart, whom the GWS Giants drafted in 2012.
‘The Collingwood Football Club’s board, management, staff, coaches, and players wish to voice our thanks for Craig’s great contribution to our football club,’ the Magpies stated.
‘Our hearts go out to his family and all his friends from Collingwood, Richmond, Preston, and further afield.’
‘Richmond is mourning the demise of former tall defender Craig Stewart,’ the Tigers tweeted. Stewart joined the club from Collingwood in 1984 and played 35 senior and 17 reserve games for them between 1984 and 1986.
Stewart arrived at Collingwood in 1978 with a solid reputation, having won Preston’s best and fairest award in the VFA the previous year.
He was mostly employed in attack, but his versatility allowed him to also play in the ruck and down back, which endeared him to supporters.
Stewart was a staple in Tom Hafey’s powerful team, winning the best first-year player award before appearing in the 1980 and 1981 grand finals.
The former Magpie twice won the club’s best and fairest award before moving to Punt Road in 1984, where he mostly played as a defender.
Later in life, his relationship with the Pies got strained when he criticized the club for passing up his son James as a possible father-son recruit.
