AFL champion Kane Cornes has offered an extended tribute to former Port Adelaide teammate Daniel Stewart following the “shattering” news of his death aged 37.
Stewart played 36 games for the Power between 2010 and 2013, and died on Friday as a result of an “unexpected health episode”.
After his AFL career, he became the co-owner of several Body Fit Training (BFT) gyms in Melbourne alongside past player Matt Thomas.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast on Monday, Cornes described his reaction to learning of Stewart’s sudden death.
“I just could not believe it. It’s one of those punch in the stomach moments when you find out about it,” Cornes said.
“So 37 years of age, absolute tragedy in the prime of his life, absolutely killing it with his business partner and Port teammate Matty Thomas as well.
“So, to Laura and the Stewart family, to his mum and his dad, to Matty Thomas, who he shared such a special friendship with, our hearts go out to you.
“To everyone who trained under him at the BFT franchises, I think he had five across Melbourne. You’d be absolutely hurting today. So I couldn’t believe it.”
Nicknamed “Snowy”, Stewart was recruited by the Power as a key forward/ruck during the 2009 rookie draft.
Cornes hailed his impact on the playing group despite limited on-field opportunities.
“He was a great teammate. (He) didn’t play a lot of footy, but one of those awesome locker room guys. Always had a smile on his face, was always positive. Loved playing with him, and yeah, absolutely shattering news,” Cornes added.
A day before his death, Thomas celebrated he and Stewart’s 17 years of friendship and service as “each other’s biggest motivators”.
On Sunday, he found himself paying tribute to his late mate and cherishing the special moments they shared.
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“Sometimes, if you look closely enough, you get to witness a shooting star in life. Snowy was ours,” Thomas wrote in an Instagram post.
“We were never just friends. We were always family. And life will never be the same without you. 💔
“You never know when something might be the last time. I wish we’d known.
“Love you forever, Snowy. Rest easy, mate. 🕊️”
Port Adelaide Football Club also released a statement around the former player’s death, offering its condolences to the Stewart family.
The club promised to honour him on-field at the beginning of next season.
“We will honour Daniel by wearing black armbands in our first home game at Adelaide Oval in 2027,” the club said.