AFL club West Coast and the GFL's Newtown & Chilwell are grieving the loss of John Schofield, who died suddenly on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack.
Mr Schofield was 65.
West Coast will wear black arm bands in tomorrow night's clash against Hawthorn to honour Mr Schofield, the father of star Eagles defender Will, who was drafted from the Geelong Falcons in 2006.
West Coast communications manager Gary Stocks said players, coaches and officials were saddened by Mr Schofield's passing.
"John was a very popular part of our football club and everyone is deeply saddened," he said. "He was a regular visitor to Perth and he was here to visit Will for a couple of weeks before he suffered a heart attack.
"He was always around the club and a staunch supporter of Will when he was in Melbourne (playing for West Coast). We're all a bit stunned."
Former long-serving Newtown & Chilwell president Noel O'Dwyer said members of the club were struggling with the deaths of Mr Schofield and fellow life member Robert "Bob" Jones.
"The club's in shock. Bob and John were loyal supporters at the club every week it's a shocking thing to happen to two great blokes," he said. "It's a great loss to the club and a tragic thing for their families. They were two good supporters who played for the club, represented the club and coached the juniors."
Mr Jones played 204 matches with Newtown, winning four consecutive premierships from 1962-65. He was emergency in the Eagles' team of the century in 2000, named in the team of the decade in 1960 and 1970, was senior coach from 1970-72 and in 1975, and captain in 1966 and 1967.
He received life membership at Newtown in 1964 and GFL life membership in 1985, and was the league's junior co-ordinator from 1983-90.
Mr Schofield began playing with Newtown in the early 1960s and was awarded life membership in 1980.
Last Modified on 07/01/2013 13:41