Shane Crawford's younger brother and fellow Hawk dies suddenly at 45

Former AFL star Shane Crawford is mourning the loss of his brother Justin, who died suddenly at the age of 45.

Justin was a former AFL player himself, kicking 46 goals in 32 games for the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn between 1995 and 1998.  

'We are all grieving,' Crawford, the 1999 Brownlow Medal winner, told the Herald Sun on Thursday.

© Provided by Daily Mail Justin Crawford played two seasons with Sydney and two with Hawthorn in his AFL career

'We are so sad. He was a much-loved brother and son.'

No detail was initially provided on the cause of death. 

Though his career never reached the heights of his elder brother, who continued on after playing to become a fixture on The Footy Show, Justin was an accomplished player in his own right.

Two years younger than his brother Shane, Justin was selected by the Swans from Finley via Tocumwal in the Murray Football League as a New South Wales zone selection player before the 1994 AFL draft.

A promising midfielder, he collected 11 disposals as he made his debut for the Swans in a 104-99 defeat at the Gabba against Brisbane in Round 3 of the 1995 season. 

Justin went on to play 10 games in his rookie season, earning a Rising Star nomination after collecting 26 disposals and kicking two goals as the Swans thrashed Fitzroy 170-44 in Round 19.

© Provided by Daily Mail Shane Crawford spent all his 17-year AFL career with Hawthorn before retiring in 2008 

Sydney finished 12th in Ron Barassi's final season as head coach, but reached the Grand Final the following year with Rodney Eade in charge, ultimately losing to the Kangaroos.

Crawford made seven appearances and featured in the preliminary final against Hawthorn, when he went head-to-head with his brother, as the Swans beat the Hawks 90-84 at the SCG. 

Hawthorn subsequently approached Crawford and the Swans agreed to trade him to the Hawks in 1997, where he was reunited with his brother Shane - a four-time All-Australian and a premiership winner in 2008.

© Provided by Daily Mail The 1999 Brownlow Medallist won the premiership in his final season with the Hawks 

Playing alongside his older brother, Crawford featured in 15 games and kicked 17 goals in his first season with Hawthorn. 

He played another 14 games in his second season with the Hawks but surprisingly rejected the offer of a two-year extension and walked away from footy aged 21, citing a desire to travel.

He eventually returned to the field in 2005, when he played in the WAFL with South Fremantle.