WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following article contains images of deceased persons. NITV has been given permission to name and show images of Shane Yarran from his family.
Black armbands were worn in honour of former Fremantle Dockers player Shane Yarran when the team faced the Western Bulldogs in Perth on Saturday.
Fremantle forward Michael Walters remembered his close friend 'Yaz' after kicking a goal in the first quarter by pointing at the sky and touching his armband.
Speaking after the game, Dockers' player Cam McCarthy said it was "a sad night for the whole footy club".
“We all loved him and it was good to get the win for him.”
Coach Ross Lyon praised his team for playing just a day after the 28-year-old's unexpected death.
"It’s been a difficult 24 hours for our football club and Western Australian football,” Lyon said.
“We really want to acknowledge the Yarran family and the passing of Shane Yarran and put that win in context tonight. It was a difficult night, particularly for our Noongar and Aboriginal players.
“It’s been quite sobering to come here today. It highlights how fragile things can be and we are not machines and there were some people feeling it tonight.”
Shortly after his death on Friday, Yarran's former WAFL club released a statement.
Michael Walters paying tribute to Shane Yarran after kicking a goal during Freo's game on Saturday. Source: Getty Images
“Shane was a popular teammate and club figure of the Subiaco Football Club in his time spent with our club," the WAFL club said in a statement.
"Subiaco's coaches and players have been actively involved with assisting Shane's rehabilitation in recent months and are shattered that they have not been able to make a difference."
Yarran was a rising star in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) before being recruited by the Fremantle Dockers at the end of 2015. His last game was in August 2016 for the club.
The AFL Players' Association was also "incredibly saddened" to hear of Yarran's death.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to Shane's family and friends, our thoughts are with them," chief executive Paul Marsh said in a statement.
Some AFL players also expressed their shock on social media.
Former Fremantle Dockers player Shane Yarran was found by police on Friday at his Perth home. Source: Getty Images
The young father retired from AFL after one year at the Dockers.
WA Police said a report on his death would be prepared for the coroner.
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With AAP
