Adelaide are mourning another family tragedy after the death of Irish defender Mark Keane’s brother Vinny following a battle with a terminal illness.

Keane, who has yet to play this season after suffering a serious broken leg in the pre-season, has travelled home to grieve with his family.

Vinny’s death comes just weeks after that of Crows captain Jordan Dawson’s brother Jaryd.

“The Adelaide Football Club extends its deepest sympathies to defender Mark Keane following the passing of his brother Vinny,” Adelaide said on Thursday.

“Keane has returned to Ireland to be with his family in this difficult time, with Vinny sadly passing away after a battle with a terminal illness.

“Keane, who is a much-loved member of the football club, is expected to return to Adelaide next week.

“The board, executive, staff, coaches and players have Keane and his family in their collective thoughts and will continue to provide support as they navigate this challenging period.

“As a mark of respect and in honour of Vinny, Adelaide’s AFL and SANFL players will wear black armbands during their respective matches on the weekend.”

The Crows face Richmond at the MCG on Sunday, with Dawson set to lead the side after sitting out their Showdown win over Port Adelaide last week.

“He’s an energy for our group,” Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said of Dawson on Thursday.

“Our group love having him around, he’s been here all week and I know he’s really keen to play.

“We’ll train today and make sure that everything runs smoothly, but we expect him to play this weekend.”

Dawson has received significant support from Adelaide and the AFL community since Jaryd’s death, with the club also now rallying around Keane.

Keane first moved to Australia ahead of the 2019 season after signing with Collingwood.

He debuted in 2020 and made a total of five AFL appearances but battled homesickness throughout and returned to Ireland with one year left on his contract.

The 26-year-old defender made a comeback with Adelaide ahead of the 2023 campaign, with his partner Caoimha making the move alongside him.

Keane barely missed a game across 2024-25 and made the All Australian squad last year, with his injury-enforced absence felt by a Crows side currently sitting 11th on the ladder.

Keane, who fractured his fibia and tibula, dislocated his ankle and suffered an ankle syndesmosis in February, is in the mix to return in the coming weeks.

“People have been asking what I’ve been doing with my spare time now that I’m not out there playing,” he told the club’s website in April.

“But I don’t actually have any spare time, I’ve been spending most of time in here (at the club). If anything I have way less time, I’ve been spending 8-9 hours in here a day just to do any little exercise in my rehab.

“Every minor detail matters when you’re in rehab.”