The AFL world is rocked by the tragic death of one of the game’s true legends Sal Rees aged just 58

The AFL world is mourning the death of women’s football pioneer Sal Rees, who died on Monday aged just 58 after bringing women’s football to national attention during her groundbreaking career.

The Aussie Rules icon died in hospital after suffering a brain aneurysm that left her with catastrophic brain damage. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said today’s AFLW would never have been possible without pioneers like them.

Rees made headlines across the country in 1995 when she became the first and so far only woman to nominate and be admitted to the AFL draft.

She was a standout player and official for the Darebin Falcons, becoming the first player to reach the 200-game mark in the VFLW.

“Back then, women’s football looked completely different to it now, we really struggled to get any kind of publicity,” Rees said of her historic 1995 decision on an AFL podcast.

‘There were a lot of articles in the media that were quite negative and generally the idea was that women should not play football.

Rees (pictured) became the first and so far only woman to nominate for the AFL draft, a stunning decision that made headlines in 1995

“We loved playing, we worked hard on our skills and fitness, and with the draft approaching I thought I’d nominate for this just to get the word out.

‘I sent the form in the post and then thought nothing would happen with 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 play football and that we had to be heard and taken seriously. It sparked a huge discussion about women and what their role is in football.”

Rees – who is survived by family, including her wife Barb – was greeted by Dillon on Tuesday.

“Today’s AFLW competition, which now boasts 540 paid female athletes representing all 18 clubs, would be impossible without the vision, determination and passion of women’s football pioneers like Sal Rees,” Dillon said.

Women’s footy Darcy Vescio also praised the legend.

AFL boss Andrew Dillon said today’s AFLW competition would not have been possible without trailblazers like Rees (right)

“She was a wonderful person, she always lit up the room she was in,” Vescio said News Corp.

‘She had a beautiful appearance and it was very special to be with her.’

The Darebin Falcons released a statement about the great club.

“Gone too soon, Sal was an important pioneer of women’s sport and particularly crucial to the founding and continued leadership of our club,” it said.

‘As a Club Life member, she was one of the few Falcons to play all four sports: footy, football, 8-ball and cricket, and she was also the President Victorian Women’s Eight-Ball Association.

“That was Sal’s impact, our Club Person of the Year award is named after her.”