News Reporter dies in traffic accident

The Football industry has learned the sudden death of journalist Sam Landsberger after being involved in a traffic accident in Richmond in the early morning of Tuesday.

Landsberger at the age of 35 worked more than 14 years covering football for News Corp in Melbourne and was popular to football lovers via his work in the pages of the Herald Sun and more recently on television for Fox Footy.

In individual accolades he won several awards for writing skills in football that includes :Australian Football Media Association’s Clinton Grybas Rising Star Award in 2013 and Walkley Award for student journalist of the year in 2014.

Previous year he was rewarded with Australian Football Media Association’s award for best print news reporter.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon paid tribute to the Landsberger and send his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends.

Dillon said “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.

“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.”

On Tuesday the Bulldogs said they were “shocked and saddened” by the news. Western Bulldogs is the company that his father Jake worked for 20 years.

Bulldogs wrote “As well as being a talented and respected journalist, Sam was an ardent Bulldogs fan and had close family ties through his father Jake, the club’s former long-term medical officer and Bulldogs life member.

“His enthusiasm for the game and passion for his work was always evident and his positive approach and friendly nature will be fondly recalled by all who knew and worked with him.”

News editor of Herald Sun Mr Sam Weir says the death of Landsberger didn’t shocked him alone as that had impact on his family, friends, colleagues and the sport industry.

Weir said “He was an energetic and talented football and cricket journalist, who lit up the newsroom. Sam excelled in everything he did, from breaking the big stories to expert analysis on Fox Footy.

“He was well-loved and well-respected and had an incredible career ahead of him. Our thoughts go out to his family. Sam will be deeply missed.”

Co-worker of Herald Sun colleague and AFMA committee member Glenn McFarlane highlighted that had a bright future amongst his peers.

McFarlane said “Sam was one of the brightest young stars in Australian sports journalism. He shone through with his exceptional work ethic, his prodigious talent and his eagerness to chase the yarn without fear but always with compassion. He cared deeply about his craft and we cared deeply about him.”

BY LUCKY SEANEGO