AFL world rocked by sudden death of trailblazing legend Sal Rees, aged 58

The AFL world is mourning the sudden death of women’s footy trailblazer Sal Rees.

Rees, 58, suffered a brain aneurysm on Saturday, which caused catastrophic brain damage before dying surrounding by family, including wife Barb, on Monday afternoon.

Rees was a longtime player and official at the Darebin Falcons, becoming the first player to play 200 games in the VFLW.

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She came to prominence in 1995 when she became the first woman to nominate for the men’s AFL draft. That prompted the AFL to amend its draft rules, but paved the way for women’s football to grow to what it is today.

“Back then women’s football looked totally different to how it does now, we really struggled to get any kind of publicity,” she said on AFL.com.au’s Cutting Oranges podcast in 2021.

“There were a lot of articles in the media that were quite negative and generally people’s concept was that women shouldn’t be playing football. We loved playing, we worked hard on our skills and fitness, and with the draft coming up I thought I’m going to nominate for this just to put it out there.

“I sent out the form by post then thought nothing was going to happen from it, until I got a phone call from Channel Seven and then it hit the media and it was crazy.

“The message was that women do play football and we needed to be heard and taken seriously. It started a huge discussion around women and what their role is in football.”

Sal Rees with North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney after last month’s AFLW premiership. Credit: AFLW

Rees was pictured celebrating North Melbourne’s AFLW premiership win last month and her death has rocked the community.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and Carlton AFLW superstar Darcy Vescio were among the many to pay tribute.

“The AFLW competition today, which now has 540 paid female athletes representing all 18 clubs, would be impossible without the vision, determination and passion of trailblazers in women’s football like Sal Rees,” he said.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Sal’s family, friends and the many women’s whose football pathway was supported by Sal.”

Close friend and fellow VFLW life member Leesa Catto described Rees as an “unheralded Australian warrior”.

“Sal was a warrior, she touched hearts and minds wherever she went,” she wrote on Facebook.

“The footy world, LGBTIQ+ community, soccer and many other communities are in mourning today

“Please keep Sal, her beautiful wife Barb, her sister, niece’s, family and MASSIVE army of mates and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers

“Gone too soon leaving a MASSIVE hole and an enormous legacy “

Vescio also paid tribute.

“She threw her hat in the ring to prove a point, and ask the question why can’t women play footy,” Vescio told News Corp.

“She was an amazing person, she always lit up the room she was in.

“She had a beautiful presence and being around her was really special.”

Darebin Falcons, where Rees is a life member and the Person of the Year award is named in her honour, posted a tribute on social media.

“Gone too soon, Sal was an important pioneer of women’s sport and particularly critical for the establishment and ongoing leadership for our club,” they wrote on Instagram.

“A club Life Member she was one of the few Falcons to play all 4 sports, footy, soccer, 8-ball and cricket and was also the President Victorian Women’s Eight-Ball Association.

“Such was the impact of Sal, our Club Person of the Year Award is named in her honour.

“We have many past and current members who have learnt much from Sal and most importantly have had many laughs.”

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