West Coast star Elliot Yeo is mourning the death of his father, who passed away on Monday afternoon.
It is believed Craig Yeo passed away after battling illness.
Yeo, who last week signed a three-year deal to remain at the Eagles, was absent from the club’s training session at Mineral Resources Park on Monday.
He played in the Eagles’ defeat against Essendon at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon. West Coast players returned to Perth on Sunday night.
Craig Yeo received a posthumous award recognising his contribution to the hospitality industry at Monday night’s Australian Hotels Associations awards at Crown Towers.
His son, Corey Yeo who is also a former player, accepted the award on his father’s behalf, just hours after he passed away.
The Yeo family run the Broken Hill Hotel in Victoria Park.
West Coast confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday.
“The West Coast Eagles send their heartfelt condolences to Elliot Yeo and his family following the passing of his father, Craig, on Monday night,” the statement read.
“The club will provide support to Elliot during this difficult time and requests that his family’s privacy is respected.”
Elliot Yeo announced last month he and fiancee Tess Goodbody are expecting their first child. The pair became engaged last year.
The Eagles face Hawthorn at Optus Stadium on Sunday.