'Just devastated': Sam Newman rocked by tragic death of wife at 50

The AFL world has rallied around Sam Newman after the controversial former star's wife, Amanda Brown, died suddenly overnight aged 50.

According to a report from the Herald Sun's Fiona Byrne, Newman returned home on Saturday night to discover his wife lying unresponsive on the floor of their apartment.

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Emergency services were called, however Brown was unable to be revived by paramedics.

Newman and Brown had been a couple for more than 20 years, but finally married last year in a ceremony officiated by former Perfect Match host Greg Evans.

The 75-year-old was understandably distraught.

“I’m just devastated, I can’t say anything else,” Newman told the Herald Sun.

A report is expected to be prepared for the Victorian coroner.

Newman has three children from three previous marriages before first making his relationship with Brown public in 2001.

The colourful former Geelong champion kept his relationship away from the spotlight he occupied for much of his professional life.

Victoria Police have confirmed the death is not suspicious, with the Herald Sun reporting an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson attributed the death to an existing medical condition.

“Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a 50-year-old woman in Docklands on Saturday May 1,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.

The tragic news comes amid a devastating 24-hour period for Geelong, with the club also mourning the loss of beloved former club president Frank Costa.

Costa passed away at the age of 83 after a year-long battle with illness.

Geelong mourns club president amid tragic 24-hour period

Costa passed away in his sleep on Sunday morning.

He took over the Geelong presidency when the AFL club was in serious financial trouble in 1998 and oversaw a major rebuild that led to one of its most successful eras.

The Cats won flags in 2007 and 2009 under Costa's presidency and a third one in 2011, the year he handed over to Colin Carter.

He formed a successful off-field partnership with Geelong chief executive Brian Cook in a period where the club's home ground at Kardinia Park - now known as GMHBA Stadium - was transformed into a state of the art venue.

After taking over the family business with his brother at the age of 21, Costa was the driving force in turning the Costa Group into the largest fruit and vegetables wholesaler in Australia.

His net worth was estimated at $802 million in 2020 by the Financial Review Rich List.

Costa was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1997 for services to youth and the community.

In 2015, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Costa is survived by his wife of 61 years Shirley and eight daughters.

With AAP

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