'It's awful': Devastating twist after AFL star's premiership medal stolen
Western Bulldogs star Easton Wood has had his AFL premiership medal stolen in a burglary in the inner Melbourne suburb of Albert Park.
The 30-year-old was the Bulldogs' stand-in captain for their drought-breaking flag triumph in 2016.
Wood and his family were not home at the time of the burglary.
‘UNFATHOMABLE’: Aussie sports stars slam whinging AFL players
'I DON'T AGREE': Colleagues shoot down Kane Cornes' AFL push
Other items stolen include a World War I service identification tag with ‘Sayers SA 1830’ on the front and ‘Nugget’ on the back.
Wood’s premiership watch - engraved with ‘AFL 2016 Premiers’ on the back - was also taken.
“Port Philip Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating after an AFL premiership medal was stolen during a burglary at an Albert Park address,” police said in a statement.
“The burglary occurred sometime between 12am on 14 April and 5.30pm on 26 April.
“It is believed a 2016 AFL premiership medal, a 2016 AFL premiership Tissot watch, a World War I service identification tag and other items were stolen during the incident.
“The property holds sentimental value to the victims who were not home at the time.
“Investigators have released images of the unique items in the hope someone may recognise them and come forward.”
Easton Wood had hoped to pass medal to daughter
Wood said had hoped to pass on his premiership medal to daughter Matilda.
“A medal is the symbol of hard work over a career and what we achieved as a team in that year,” Wood said on Wednesday.
“It's awful to have that symbol gone and that bit of history in my own life.”
Wood said the burglary had raised further issues about him potentially having to spend time away in a quarantine hub as the AFL considers ways to restart the season.
“We've taken some measures now to increase the security at our property but that is a concern,” Wood said.
Wood was the Bulldogs’ stand-in captain for the 2016 AFL grand final after regular skipper Bob Murphy was injured.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge famously gifted his premiership medal to Murphy on the podium after the game.
Wood stepped down as Bulldogs captain in December after holding the role full-time for the previous two seasons.
He remains in the Bulldogs' leadership group.
with AAP
