Sean King Dead at 60: Another Tragedy Rocks the AFL as Pioneering West Coast Eagles Star Passes Away Just Days After Receiving Top Honour
April 10, 2025 – PERTH, AUSTRALIA — The Australian football world is reeling from the devastating news that Sean King, the pioneering West Coast Eagles star and trailblazer of the game’s formative years in Western Australia, has died at the age of 60.
King, a widely respected figure both on and off the field, passed away peacefully on Wednesday night surrounded by family, just days after receiving a prestigious lifetime achievement award recognizing his contributions to the AFL and the Indigenous community. His sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the sporting community and prompted an outpouring of tributes from past teammates, fans, and AFL leaders.
The cause of death has not yet been made public, but King had reportedly been battling undisclosed health issues over the past several months. His condition was known to only close family and a few confidants, which made the timing of his passing all the more heartbreaking—coming so soon after what was meant to be a celebration of his life’s work.
A Legacy Cemented in West Coast History
Sean King was not just another name on the team sheet—he was a foundational stone in the legacy of the West Coast Eagles. Debuting in the late 1980s as part of the inaugural squad that brought AFL football to Perth on a national scale, King quickly established himself as a dynamic midfielder with a fierce work ethic, tactical brilliance, and a relentless commitment to his teammates.
Over his decade-long AFL career, King played more than 180 games for the Eagles, earning All-Australian honours twice and becoming a vital part of the club’s leadership structure. He was instrumental in West Coast’s historic 1992 premiership campaign, marking the club’s first-ever AFL title and the first for any team based outside of Victoria. That win forever changed the landscape of Australian rules football.
But it wasn’t just his prowess on the field that made King a legend.
A Voice for His People
As one of the few prominent Indigenous players in the AFL during the 80s and 90s, Sean King bore the weight of representation with grace and power. He was an outspoken advocate for First Nations inclusion in sport and used his platform to fight racism both inside the league and within broader Australian society. His courage in speaking out during a time when it was neither common nor easy remains one of his most enduring legacies.
Following his retirement, King worked extensively in community outreach, particularly in youth mentorship and mental health programs for Aboriginal youth in Western Australia. He also took on coaching and ambassadorial roles within the AFL, aiming to create clearer pathways for Indigenous talent to enter the sport at elite levels.
Recognition That Came Just in Time
Just five days before his death, King was honoured at the AFL’s Legends & Legacy Gala in Melbourne, where he received the prestigious “Spirit of the Game” award. The accolade celebrated not just his playing career but his decades of off-field impact. In an emotional acceptance speech—now being widely shared across social media—King thanked his family, his mentors, and the communities that supported him throughout his life.
“This game gave me a voice,” he said at the time, his voice shaking with emotion. “And I tried to use it to make things better—for those who came before, and those who are coming after.”
Unbeknownst to the public, that appearance would be his final public engagement.
AFL World Mourns a Giant
Tributes have flooded in from across the country. The West Coast Eagles released a statement early Thursday morning, calling King “a founding father of our club” and “a man whose spirit shaped the values we still hold today.”
“Sean King’s legacy is stitched into the very fabric of the West Coast Eagles,” the statement read. “He was a warrior, a leader, a mentor, and above all, a man of deep compassion and integrity. His loss is a tremendous blow to all who knew and loved him.”
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon also offered condolences, saying, “Sean was a pioneer, not just for West Coast or the AFL, but for the entire sport in this country. His influence extended far beyond the oval. We have lost a great footballer, but more importantly, we have lost a great man.”
Former teammates including Peter Matera and Glen Jakovich spoke candidly on radio Thursday morning, recalling King’s leadership and his fierce loyalty.
“He was the glue guy—the one who kept us grounded,” Matera said. “He saw the bigger picture. Always.”
A Final Farewell in the Works
According to family representatives, a public memorial service is being planned in Perth, likely to be held at Optus Stadium, where thousands of fans are expected to attend. The date is yet to be confirmed, but the club and the AFL are reportedly working together to ensure the service honors King’s stature and the breadth of his impact.
Flags at AFL headquarters and at Optus Stadium have been lowered to half-mast. West Coast is also expected to wear black armbands in their next match, with a minute’s silence scheduled league-wide this weekend in King’s honor.
As fans continue to light candles outside the West Coast Eagles headquarters and post messages on social media celebrating King’s life, one thing is clear: Sean King may have left this world, but his legacy—built on courage, connection, and community—will echo through generations of players and fans to come.
Rest in power, Sean King. 1965–2025.
