Tragic loss of young sports journalist
Sports fans and the Melbourne Jewish community were rocked by the loss of popular young Herald Sun sports journalist Sam Landsberger, who died in a traffic accident in Richmond on Tuesday morning.
Sam Landsberger Pic: X
Landsberger, 35, was tragically hit by a truck while crossing the intersection of Bridge Road and Church Street, in Richmond, around 10.20am. He died in hospital from his injuries.
Landsberger was an award-winning sports writer and member of the Herald Sun and Code Sports teams, where his journalistic hunger to tell the story and his winning personality were greatly appreciated. He was an AFL and cricket writer with a talent for breaking news. He has worked at the Herald Sun since 2010 and was awarded the Walkley Young Journalist of the Year in 2013.
He was awarded the AFL Clinton Grybas Rising Star award for media in 2013, and won a Quill award for digital work at News Corp’s AFL website, SuperFooty in 2012. He also reported on Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League. He was very popular with his colleagues who reflected on his rosy future in sports journalism.
Landsberger attended Melbourne High School where he completed his VCE in 2006. Having obtained his journalism degree from Monash University in 2010, Landsberger worked at Leader Community Newspapers for over three years, including as a sports journalist.
Landsberger’s father was Dr Jacob (Jake) Landsberger, former long-time doctor for the Western Bulldogs foortball team. Dr Landsberger is a GP based in Footscray, with a special interest in sports medicine. It is no surprise that young Sam became an avid supporter of the Western Bulldogs.
Former captain of the Australian cricket team, Aaron Finch, posted online, “So sad to hear the news of Sam Landsberger’s passing. My thoughts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. He was a great journalist, and someone everyone had a lot of time and respect for.”
Member for Caulfield, David Southwick told J-Wire that, “Like so many footy fans who saw Sam’s work on the back pages of the Herald Sun or the Midweek Tackle on Fox Footy, I’m deeply saddened to see a talented young man taken in his prime. My deepest condolences go to his friends and family, who have lost a bright spark far too soon.”
His beloved Western Bulldogs issued a statement saying, “Like the entire footy community, everyone at the Western Bulldogs is shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Sam Landsberger.
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.
Our sincere sympathies to Jake, Anne, Jess, Sarah and all of his extended family, friends and colleagues.”
