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Axed Dockers star Shane Yarran, 28, found dead in apparent suicide

Fleet-footed Shane Yarran gets the better of an opponent during one of his six games for Fremantle.

Fleet-footed Shane Yarran gets the better of an opponent during one of his six games for Fremantle. Photo: AAP/Brendan Esposito

Former Fremantle Dockers forward Shane Yarran has died at the age of 28.

Yarran was found dead on Friday afternoon at a residence in the southern Perth suburb of Seville Grove.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Yarran kicked 10 goals in his six AFL games for Fremantle, which all came during the 2016 season.

His death prompted immediate tributes from the football world, with Dockers assistant coach David Hale describing it as “terrible news” in a post on Twitter.

Broadcasters also paid tribute to Yarran during their coverage of Friday night’s AFL game between Adelaide and Sydney.

“That is about as sad as it gets,” Channel 7 commentator Hamish McLachlan said.

Teammates and coaches ‘shattered’

In a statement, Yarran’s WAFL club Subiaco — where he had been training this year after serving time in jail for a high-speed police chase last May — said it was saddened to learn of his death.

“Shane was a popular teammate and club figure of the Subiaco Football Club in his time spent with our club,” the WAFL club said.

“Shane had built strong relationships with Subiaco’s players, coaches and support staff through his involvement with the Subiaco Football Club.

“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.”

From jail to the AFL

Yarran was drafted by the Dockers in the 2015 national draft, having made a football comeback through the WAFL after spending several years in prison.

He was released from jail in March 2013 after being handed a six-year jail sentence for burglary, going on to win two WAFL premierships in two seasons with Subiaco and picking up the league’s leading goalkicker award in 2015 with 54 goals.

But after showing promising signs for Fremantle, Yarran was charged by police with an assault in 2016 and retired from the AFL before the 2017 season.

Yarran had been playing in amateur football ranks this season, as well as training with Subiaco.

WA Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

-ABC

  • Lifeline on 13 11 14
  • Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
  • MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
  • Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
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