South Australian football icon Barrie Robran’s cause of death revealed

South Australian football icon Barrie Robran’s “unexpected” cause of death has been revealed.

The SANFL noted during the week that Robran’s death suddenly happened while he was “preparing to have knee surgery”.

Knee surgeries were nothing new for Robran after he had a shocking injury in a state game against Victoria in 1974 (when he was sandwiched in a marking contest between Bernie Quinlan and Leigh Matthews).

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Regular procedures have followed that incident.

But on this occasion, there were complications, and the 77-year-old ended up in emergency. Not long after that he had tragically lost his life.

The family is certainly not blaming anyone.

Barrie Robran’s family have rejected a state funeral. Credit: North Adelaide Football Club

In a statement, the family said on Friday: “We would also like to offer our deep gratitude and thanks to the professional and compassionate staff at Calvary Adelaide Hospital’s emergency department.”

Calvary Adelaide Hospital was asked about the “complications” but told 7NEWS.com.au they had no further comment.

Meanwhile, the Robran family has also “respectfully” declined the offer of a state funeral.

“During this time of grief and sorrow we are overwhelmed by the many kind and thoughtful words and memories being shared about our beloved Barrie,” the family said.

“A sincere thanks to the Australian football community and public for reaching out to us, both privately and publicly. We take solace in the knowledge that Barrie’s impact and influence on so many was so great, in such a positive way.

“We would also like to offer our deep gratitude and thanks to the professional and compassionate staff at Calvary Adelaide Hospital’s emergency department.

“As a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, Barrie made us very proud.

“His loss will have a profound impact on us all and we will miss him dearly. Those who knew him appreciated his humility, reflected in a preference to let his achievements speak for themselves.

“We will be following Barrie’s wishes for a small private family funeral. Our sincere thanks to Premier Peter Malinauskas and the people of South Australia for the offer – that we have respectfully declined – for a state service.”

Radio star Jade Robran has returned to work and said the death of her famous uncle was certainly “unexpected”.

Robran is considered one of the greatest to have ever played Aussie Rules. Credit: 7NEWS

“You feel a bit numb … Barrie’s death was unexpected and has come as a huge shock to all of us. It’s sad – he’s not here anymore,” she said on FIVEAA on Friday.

“Dad (former-footballer Rodney Robran) just said to me … ‘I’m not going to hear his voice anymore’…

“It’s just hard. Reading the tributes, hearing the stories shared has been so heartwarming, and we are so grateful.

“Please keep them coming, cause it does make it easier.”

Meanwhile, tributes have continued to roll in for the football legend, considered one of the best of all time.

Legendary Channel 7 sports presenter Bruce McAvaney called Robran a “colossus of South Australian football”.

“I don’t think South Australia has produced anyone who is more significant in terms of football,” McAvaney said.

“I don’t think he ever realised or understood the effect that he had on our state and just the adulation that so many people had for him.

“He’s SA football’s great champion and I say that with no disrespect to anyone else. He’s Bradman-esque in terms of football. I haven’t seen a better player from our state.”

Another great of Adelaide football, Graham Cornes, said he was stunned by the news.

“Got a phone call this morning. It was just mind-numbing, just a shock,” Cornes told 7NEWS on Wednesday.

“There will be endless tributes (for Barrie) … There will be no end to the compliments that he can be paid, there will be no end to the praise because he is worthy of all of it.

“Not only because of his skill and his talent, but because of his demeanour; he was just so modest …. everybody loved him.”

Brooke Robran, the daughter of Barrie’s son, Matthew, shared a tearful tribute to her grandfather on social media.

“Today’s a hard day for my family and you know, everyone in South Australia loved him and I just hope that I can carry a part of that on,” Brooke said.

“Everyone that he met he was so lovely to and I think it’s important that we continue to hold onto that and do him proud going forward.

“We love you forever, rest easy Grandpa.”

Robran’s sons, Matthew and Jonathon, were also good footballers, both having AFL careers.

Matthew was member of the Crows’ back-to-back flag-winning teams in 1997-98 before retiring in 2001 after 137 games.

Jonathon’s career also came to an end in 2001 after playing 83 games with Hawthorn and Essendon.

In a statement, the AFL said “the Robran name was revered for his on-field feats as a footballer and he would be remembered for his decency and humility as a man”.

“The game sends its sincere condolences to wife Taimi and sons Matthew and Jon, and their families, and all of the Robran’s friends and colleagues across the game,’’ AFL chief Andrew Dillon said.

“This is a terribly sad day for South Australian football, as Barrie Robran was the outstanding player in a time when the game was built around state pride, and testing yourselves at a state level against the best from around the country.

“While fans in other states may argue over who were their best-ever players, that same debate has always been absent in Adelaide as any South Australian who saw Robran play simply defers to him as the greatest.”