The Western Bulldogs and AFL communities are mourning the passing of 1960 Brownlow medallist, John Schultz.
Schultz’s is an iconic name in the history of the Footscray/Western Bulldogs Football Club, having played 188 games during the 1950s and ‘60s.
He was 85.
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“Vale John Schultz. The club would like to pay tribute to one of our greats, John Schultz, who has passed away at the age of 85,” the Bulldogs said in a statement on Sunday.
“Gentleman John’ played 188 games for FFC and represented Victoria 24 times, winning a Brownlow in 1960, All-Australian honours in 1961, and five club best and fairest awards.”
Schultz was named in the back pocket in the Bulldogs’ team of the century, and is a member of the Australian football Hall of Fame.
He was also chosen to present the premiership cup to then skipper Easton Wood and coach Luke Beveridge when they won the grand final in 2016.
Word of his passing had begun to spread before the Bulldogs confirmed it late on Sunday afternoon.
Andrew Gigacz, who authored the pictorial record of the Bulldogs’ history-making 2016 season, Against All Odds, paid tribute to Schultz on social media.
“Sad to hear we’ve lost one of Footscray’s finest, John Schultz,” Gigacz said.
“Chatted to Schultz a few times in my work with the Western Bulldogs, and I’ve just finished writing his bio for a new club history (out next year). Lived up to his ‘Gentleman John’ moniker in every way. A huge loss.”
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the league was “deeply saddened” by Schultz’s passing and sent his condolences to his family.
“John was a great, great player … but he was someone too always with a smile and a good word for every occasion,” Dillon said in a statement.
“He was a regular fixture at the Brownlow Medal, as one of our older greats, and took great pleasure each year at the Hall of Fame to welcome new inductees, and congratulate them on their careers and achievements, while always modestly turning the conversation away from his own great career.
“John was one of the few great links that our game still had to the 1950s and 1960s and he retained incredible enthusiasm for football, the players, the fans and the excitement of a match day.
“His smile on grand final day in 2016, when he handed over the cup, lit up the entire ground and we send our best wishes to his family, his many, many friends and all at the Western Bulldogs.”
Former Melbourne Racing Club and Mayor of Waverley, Peter Le Grand, added his condolences.
“Today the Bulldogs have lost a legend and a magnificent man in John Schultz,” he said.
“I saw him play nearly every game and never a poor one. I loved him as a friend and magnificent player, my all-time favourite. RIP John, with Elaine and your brother Robert. Thanks for the memories.”
Another fan said: “RIP Gentleman John Schultz. An icon of Footscray. Will never forget the enormous smile on his face as he presented the premiership cup to Easton Wood.”
A fourth added: “God bless you, John Schultz. A favourite of dad’s.
“Your impact on the 2016 flag was every bit as powerful as those who ran onto the field that day. Will miss your gentle presence at the games and the Whitten Oval.
“A giant loss. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.”
