Herald Sun AFL and cricket journalist Sam Landsberger has passed away at the age of 35 following a traffic incident.
The accident in Richmond took place on Tuesday morning, with News Corp later confirming Landsberger's passing.
The Herald Sun's chief football writer, Mark Robinson, paid tribute to Landsberger, who was an avid sports writer, journalist and fan.
“Sam Landsberger had an enormous future in journalism and took giant strides early on,” Robinson said.
“He loved the game and understood it, and he respected his craft. He was such a valuable member of Melbourne's sports journalism world, someone who could cover all aspects of footy. And people trusted him.
“Sam was a genuinely nice bloke, who was caring and inquisitive about people.”
Landsberger was a Quill Award winner and also won the Walkley Young Journalist of the Year and the Clinton Gyrbas Award as the Australian Football Media Association's Most Outstanding Young Media Performer in 2013.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon paid respects to Landsberger, confirming his passing will be honoured at this week's AFLW launch ceremony in Melbourne.
“Sam has been taken from his family and friends in a terrible tragedy today and all our love and care go out to them in this time of greatest need,” Dillon said.
“Across more than a decade, Sam has been building his impressive journalistic career and was respected for both his tenacity for chasing a story and his incredible passion for the game. We know his death has had a devastating impact on those who worked with Sam at News and Foxtel and his many friends across the football and media industries.
“We send our sincere condolences to Sam's family and to his work colleagues but also our thoughts are with all those across the football industry and the football media for whom Sam was both colleague and friend.
“The AFL will formally acknowledge Sam's passing at tonight's launch of the AFLW season in Melbourne and send our sincere condolences to his many friends.”
Further tributes from the sport and media landscapes flowed on social media on Tuesday afternoon.
It's just been such a sad afternoon for sports journalists shocked at hearing of Sam Landsberger's tragic death. Thoughts to Sam's colleagues as well as his friends and family. Highly regarded, diligent, knowledgable. So sad.
— peter ryan (@petryan) August 20, 2024
Such a sad day. 💔
Sammy Landsberger passionate, energetic, enthusuastic, brave and fair.
And a territic person, too.
Found his feet in the Dogs' rooms as a wide-eyed teenager helping his legendary dad Jake. 💔— Mark Stevens (@StevoMedia) August 20, 2024
So sad to hear the news of Sam Landsberger’s passing. My thoughts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. He was a great journalist, and someone everyone had a lot of time and respect for. 💔
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) August 20, 2024
The entire Zero Digital Sports team send its condolences to Sam's family and friends.
