Former Port Adelaide Forward Daniel Stewart Dies at 37 as AFL Community Pays Tribute

The Australian Football League community is mourning the sudden death of Daniel Stewart, a former Port Adelaide forward remembered for his contribution to the Power and the friendships he built throughout his football career.

Stewart died on Friday, October 23, 2026, aged 37. Port Adelaide Football Club confirmed his passing the following day, describing the news as devastating for the club and everyone who knew him.

During his time with Port Adelaide, Stewart played 36 AFL matches and kicked 31 goals between 2010 and 2013. Standing approximately 200 centimetres tall, he was recruited as a key forward and became part of the club’s playing group during an important period in its history.

News of his death prompted tributes from the club, former teammates and others connected to Australian rules football. Those remembering him have highlighted not only his time on the field but also his character and the relationships he maintained after his playing career.

Stewart leaves behind his wife, Laura, their two sons, Bernie and Lando, his parents, Donna and Byron, and his brother, Leigh.

Daniel Stewart’s Death Confirmed by Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide announced Stewart’s death in an official statement published on October 24, 2026.

The club said it was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of its former player and extended condolences to his family, friends, former teammates and others who had shared his journey through football.

Chief executive Matthew Richardson said the news had come as a shock to everyone at the club. He emphasized that Stewart remained part of the Port Adelaide football family and acknowledged the grief being experienced by those who had known and worked alongside him.

The announcement did not disclose a cause of death.

While the sudden nature of his passing has raised questions among supporters, no explanation for the circumstances surrounding his death was provided in the official statement. Until reliable information is released by the family or an appropriate authority, speculation about the cause should be avoided.

The club also asked the public to respect the privacy of Stewart’s family as they grieve their loss.

A Key Forward Who Represented Port Adelaide

Daniel Stewart played for Port Adelaide from 2010 through 2013, appearing in 36 AFL games and scoring 31 goals.

His path to the highest level of Australian rules football included several clubs and development programs. He came through the Eastern Ranges and played for Labrador in Queensland before attracting attention through his performances with North Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League.

Port Adelaide selected him with pick No. 35 in the 2009 AFL Rookie Draft. He was subsequently promoted to the senior list at the end of that year, setting the stage for his AFL debut in 2010.

As a tall key forward, Stewart offered the club a significant physical presence in its attacking line. His role required him to compete for contested marks, provide a target inside the forward 50 and create scoring opportunities for his team.

Across his AFL career, he recorded 31 goals. Although his senior career lasted four seasons, his contribution became part of the club’s history and his name remained connected to the Port Adelaide football community.

The Match That Highlighted His Scoring Ability

One of Stewart’s standout performances came in the final round of the 2010 season against Richmond.

During that match, he kicked four goals to help Port Adelaide secure a 10-point victory. It was the highest goal tally of his AFL career in a single game.

The performance demonstrated the attacking potential that had helped him progress through the football pathway and earn opportunities at AFL level.

For supporters who followed the Power during those seasons, his appearances formed part of their memories of the team. While statistics provide a record of his performance, football careers are also remembered through particular games, moments and relationships shared within a club.

Stewart’s four-goal game against Richmond remains one of the notable statistical highlights of his time in the AFL.

From Junior Football to the AFL

Before reaching Port Adelaide, Stewart developed his skills through junior and state-level football.

He played with the Eastern Ranges before continuing his career with Labrador in Queensland. His performances eventually brought him to North Adelaide, where he competed in the SANFL and came to the attention of AFL recruiters.

The progression reflected the work required to reach the highest level of Australian rules football. Players typically move through junior competitions and development programs before competing for a place on a professional club’s list.

For Stewart, the opportunity to join Port Adelaide in the 2009 rookie draft marked a significant step in that journey.

His subsequent debut and four seasons with the Power represented the culmination of years spent developing his game and pursuing opportunities in elite football.

Tributes From Former Teammates and the Port Adelaide Community

Following confirmation of Stewart’s death, former teammate Kane Cornes paid tribute to him, describing him as a caring teammate who regularly brought a smile to those around him.

Cornes also expressed sympathy for Stewart’s family and reflected on the life he had built beyond football, including his business and friendships.

His message echoed the sentiments expressed by Port Adelaide, where officials emphasized the enduring connection between former players and the wider club community.

Football clubs often maintain strong bonds with players long after their careers end. Former teammates, coaches and staff share training sessions, travel, competition and personal experiences that can create lasting friendships.

Stewart’s passing has therefore affected people beyond those who watched him play. It has also brought grief to the individuals who knew him through the daily routines and relationships of professional sport.

Port Adelaide said it would provide support to former teammates and others affected by the news.

Daniel Stewart’s Family and Personal Legacy

Stewart is survived by his wife, Laura, and their two sons, Bernie and Lando. His parents, Donna and Byron, and his brother, Leigh, are also among the family members named in Port Adelaide’s announcement.

The club’s public statement placed the family at the centre of its condolences, acknowledging the profound personal loss they are experiencing.

Although news coverage has focused largely on Stewart’s football career, his life extended beyond the sport. Former teammate Kane Cornes referred to the business Stewart had built and the close friendship he maintained with Matt Thomas.

These tributes offer a glimpse of a life that continued to develop after his time as an AFL player.

Further personal details and funeral arrangements had not been included in the official club statement reviewed for this article. Those details should be added only when confirmed through a family announcement or another reliable source.

Port Adelaide to Honour Stewart in 2027

Port Adelaide has announced that the team will wear black armbands in honour of Stewart during its first home game at Adelaide Oval in the 2027 season.

The gesture will provide an opportunity for the club and its supporters to recognize his contribution and acknowledge the loss felt throughout the football community.

Black armbands are commonly worn in Australian sport as a sign of mourning and respect. In this case, the tribute reflects Stewart’s lasting connection to the Power, where he played for four seasons and formed relationships that continued beyond his playing days.

The club’s decision also offers a public moment for supporters to remember him alongside his former teammates and the people who shared his football journey.

As Port Adelaide prepares for the next season, Stewart’s memory will remain connected to the club’s history and the wider network of people who knew him.

Cause of Death Has Not Been Announced

Although Port Adelaide confirmed that Stewart died suddenly, the club did not identify a cause of death in its statement.

No specific medical explanation or circumstances surrounding his passing should therefore be presented as fact without further confirmation.

The absence of a publicly disclosed cause does not establish any particular explanation. It simply means that the available official announcement has not provided that information.

Respecting this distinction is especially important while his family is grieving. Further information should be reported only if it is confirmed through reliable sources.

Remembering Daniel Stewart

Daniel Stewart’s death at 37 has left Port Adelaide and the wider Australian football community mourning a former player whose career included 36 AFL appearances and 31 goals for the Power.

From his development through junior and state-level football to his time in the AFL, Stewart pursued a place in the sport’s highest competition and became part of Port Adelaide’s story between 2010 and 2013.

The tributes following his death have emphasized his warmth as a teammate, his friendships and the family life he built beyond the game.

For his wife, children, parents, brother and close friends, the loss is deeply personal. For Port Adelaide, it is the loss of a former player who remained part of the club’s football family.

As the club prepares to honour him with black armbands in 2027, supporters and former teammates will have an opportunity to remember Stewart’s contribution and the relationships that made his time in football meaningful.

May Daniel Stewart rest in peace, and may his family and loved ones find strength and comfort during this difficult time.

Key Facts About Daniel Stewart

Disclaimer

This obituary is based on the official announcement from Port Adelaide Football Club and reporting from established Australian news outlets. The cause of Daniel Stewart’s death has not been disclosed in the official statement reviewed. Funeral arrangements and additional personal details should be confirmed through the family or an authorized announcement.