The AFL world and beyond has been shocked and heartbroken after it was revealed that a pedestrian killed by a truck in Melbourne was popular sports journalist Sam Landsberger.
Tributes flowed for the 35-year-old reporter on Tuesday night after the Herald Sun confirmed that Landsberger had died in the tragic crash, which happened at the intersection of Bridge Rd and Church St in Richmond.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sam Landsberger dead in tragic Richmond road tragedy.
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Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson led the tributes, but understandably took a break from his daily football show, AFL 360.
“Sam Landsberger had an enormous future in journalism who took giant strides early on. He loved the game and understood it and he respected his craft. He was such a valuable member of Melbourne’s sports journalism world, someone who could cover all aspects of footy. And people trusted him,” Robinson wrote for Herald Sun.
He said Landsberger might well have become the next chief footy writer for the Herald Sun, a job held in high regard.
“Sam was a genuinely nice bloke who was caring and inquisitive about people,’’ Robinson said.
Former Australian ODI cricket captain Aaron Finch was also in shock.
“So sad to hear the news of Sam Landsberger’s passing. My thoughts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. He was a great journalist, and someone everyone had a lot of time and respect for,” Finch said.
Herald Sun editor Sam Weir said it was a “tragedy” and “a devastating loss” for Landsberger’s family, friends and colleagues.
“He was an energetic and talented football and cricket journalist, who lit up the newsroom. Sam excelled in everything he did, from breaking the big stories to expert analysis on FoxFooty. He was well-loved and well-respected and had an incredible career ahead of him. Our thoughts go out to his family. Sam will be deeply missed,” Weir said
Reporter Jay Clark said he “adored” Sam.
“I remember the day he walked into the Herald Sun office and how effortlessly and beautifully he covered the game from the start,” Clark said.
“He was a superb writer, a joy to read, a fearless journo and a ball of energy on the television with Fox Footy. He was the star of our Mid-week tackle and an incredible friend who always made you smile. I’ll miss him so much and our phone conversations that always went too long.”
Reporter Glenn McFarlane called Landsberger “one of the brightest young stars in Australian sports journalism”
And Jon Ralph Landsberger “had all the best traits of an old-fashioned journo” with rock solid sources, a massive work-rate and “stubborn as all hell when he had a sniff of a story”.
AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon said the football industry was “deeply shocked and distressed” by Landsberger’s death.
Dillon said the thoughts of all those in football were with the Landsberger family and friends, all NewsCorp and Herald Sun staff and in particular the sports department where Sam worked for the past 14 years.
He said the AFL’s thoughts were also with the Western Bulldogs where the Landsberger family had a long association through Dr Jake Landsberger, Sam’s father, serving as the club’s medical officer for more than two decades.
“Sam has been taken from his family and friends in a terrible tragedy today and all our love and care go out to them in this time of greatest need,” Dillon said.
“Across more than a decade, Sam has been building his impressive journalistic career and was respected for both his tenacity for chasing a story and his incredible passion for the game. We know his death has had a devastating impact on those who worked with Sam at News and Foxtel and his many friends across the football and media industries.
“We send our sincere condolences to Sam’s family and to his work colleagues but also our thoughts are with all those across the football industry and the football media for whom Sam was both colleague and friend.
“The AFL will formally acknowledge Sam’s passing at tonight’s launch of the AFLW season in Melbourne and send our sincere condolences to his many friends.”
The Western Bulldogs said they were “shocked and saddened” to hear of his “sudden death”.
“As well as being a talented and respected journalist, Sam was an ardent Bulldogs fan and had close family ties through his father Jake, the club’s former long-term medical officer and Bulldogs life member,” the club said.
“His enthusiasm for the game and passion for his work was always evident and his positive approach and friendly nature will be fondly recalled by all who knew and worked with him.
“Our sincere sympathies to Jake, Anne, Jess, Sarah and all of his extended family, friends and colleagues.”
Australian Football Media Association also extended its “deepest sympathies to the Landsberger family and friends”.
“Sam was a beloved member of the Herald Sun sports department and had forged a brilliant career in the past 14 years, where he combined a tenacious pursuit of stories with care for his story subjects,” the AFMA said.
“He was equally passionate about his beloved Western Bulldogs as he was the game itself and media craft.”