Matthew Thomas has paid an emotional tribute to his close friend and former Port Adelaide AFL teammate Daniel ‘Snowy’ Stewart, who died suddenly on Friday aged 37.
Thomas played alongside Stewart at the Power in 2013 before the pair later joined forces to run a gym business in Melbourne. He described his friend as a “shooting star”.
“We were never just friends, we were always family, and life will never be the same without you,” Thomas wrote.
“You never know when something might be the last time. I wish we’d known. Love you forever, Snowy.”
The 200cm forward, who appeared in 36 games for Port Adelaide between 2010 and 2013, is believed to have suffered a medical episode.
Stewart’s wife, Laura, shared her own heartbreaking tribute the following day, posting a family photograph with their two young sons.
“Devastated to confirm the loss of our world. A heart too big for this world. We love you so much daddy,” she wrote.
Laura Stewart’s sister, Claire Madden, has since established a GoFundMe memorial fund, which has raised $39,000 towards its $65,000 target.
Snowy Stewart with wife Laura and their sons Bernie and Lando
Matthew Thomas, right, described Snowy as family in a moving tribute
Stewart was delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of the 2013 season
An anonymous donor has contributed $10,000 to the fundraiser.
“I have started this page so that we can all rally around Laura and the boys, Bernie and Lando, during this profoundly difficult time,” Madden said.
“We are all completely heartbroken by the immense loss of Daniel Stewart, fondly known to so many of us as ‘Snowy.’
“Daniel was the definition of a devoted husband, a deeply loving father, a cherished son, brother, uncle and a loyal, true friend to everyone fortunate enough to know him.
“His warmth, kindness, and dedication to his family left an indelible mark on all of our hearts, and his absence leaves a void that words cannot begin to fill.”
Just hours before Stewart’s death, Thomas had posted a smiling photograph of the pair on social media after a workout.
“17 years of friendship. From teammates to business partners, to dads – and still each other’s biggest motivators,” the caption read.
“Still doing BFT classes because they work!!!! Respect the grind.”
Thomas shared a photograph with Stewart seemingly just hours before his sudden death
A GoFundMe has been launched in Snowy’s memory to support his young family
Fellow Port players and other AFL figures shared their condolences with Thomas via social media.
Chad Cornes said: ‘Thinking of you all, mate. Snowy – what a great man’.
Warren Tredrea, Brad Ebert, Jackson Trengove and Alipate Carlile shared their support online.
The AFL’s ‘hottest WAG’ Chelsea Becirevic – partner of former Port ruckman Ivan Soldo – said she was ‘thinking of you guys and sending all of our love’.
Tragically, Our News Outlet can also reveal Stewart was close mates with another late Power star – John McCarthy, who died after falling from the roof of the Flamingo Hotel while on an end-of-season trip to Las Vegas in 2012.
The day after McCarthy’s death, Stewart shared a picture of the pair and then-teammate Hamish Hartlett, with several friends flooding the comments to offer their sympathy.
Port Adelaide’s chief executive Matthew Richardson issued a statement on Saturday about Stewart’s death, adding it had ‘come as a shock to everyone at the club’.
‘On behalf of everyone at Port Adelaide Football Club, I extend our deepest condolences to Daniel’s family, including his mum Donna, dad Byron, wife Laura, two sons Bernie and Lando and his brother Leigh,’ he said.
Stewart, left, was mates with late Port star John McCarthy, centre, with Hamish Hartlett
AFL’s ‘hottest wag’ Chelsea Becirevic, seen with partner Ivan Soldo, shared her condolences
Warren Tredrea was among the Port legends offering support to Thomas on social media
‘We also extend our thoughts to his friends, including his close friend and former teammate Matt Thomas, and to all those at North Adelaide and Labrador who knew him.
‘Daniel was part of the Port Adelaide football family, and he always will be.
‘A sudden passing like this is devastating and our thoughts are with everyone who loved him, and with the teammates, coaches and staff who shared the journey with him here at Alberton.
‘The club will provide support to those affected by Daniel’s passing, including his former teammates and the people who worked alongside him.
‘We will honour Daniel by wearing black armbands in our first home game at Adelaide Oval in 2027.’
Stewart opened several gyms under the name Body Fit Training across Melbourne with Thomas after their time in the AFL came to an end.
Beyond his achievements on the field and opening his gym franchise, Stewart had also spoken candidly about his battles with anxiety in 2013 when a serious shoulder and hip injury affected his performance as an athlete.
‘I felt like I had nothing. I lost my footy career… I couldn’t get a job, I broke up with my girlfriend,’ he told The Age in a 2016 interview, describing the moment he was delisted.
Stewart spoke candidly about his struggles with anxiety in the past
Daniel was ‘the definition of a devoted husband’, according to his sister-in-law
Snowy, seen on a Gold Coast family holiday, adored his two sons, Bernie and Lando
‘I rang my mum and I started bawling my eyes out.’
The 2016 report said Stewart took antidepressants for five months and credited treatment, family support and sessions with a life coach for helping him through the battle.
A spokesperson for BFT confirmed to Our News Outlet that gym members were informed of Stewart’s death via email on Saturday morning.
‘It is with the deepest sadness that we share the sudden passing of our dearly loved owner and friend, Daniel Stewart (Snowy), after an unexpected medical episode yesterday,’ the email read.
‘Snowy is so deeply loved by all who knew him; an incredible husband, father, friend, business partner to Matty, and a beloved part of the BFT community. Our hearts break for his family, for Matty, for his team who all have such close bonds with him, and for our community.
‘During this incredibly difficult time, our focus is supporting Snowy’s family, Matty, our team, and all of you. We ask that you are sensitive to the news and don’t ask further details out of respect for Snowy and his family.
‘We know you will have questions about what this looks like for you, and we’ll have more info for you over the coming days. We’re all here to support each other and thank you for your grace and patience.’
