The AFL has declared the mistaken claim that ex-Hawthorn player Michael Porter had died had nothing to do with fellow ex-Hawthorn player Rob Porter OAM, who died in December last year.
The Gazette questioned the AFL over the odd coincidence between the two Porters and asked for an account of how the mistake occurred.
The AFL told the Gazette the matter regarded Michael Porter ‘only’.
“Unfortunately we had wrong information, but the errors were only around Michael Porter,” a spokesperson said.
“We were extremely apologetic to Michael.”
The questions arose when some locals thought the mistake had a link to the recent death of Officer’s Rob Porter.
Both Rob and Michael played for Hawthorn in the 60s, are of a similar age and share the name Porter.
Rob Porter died on 25 December 2023, Michael Porter is still alive.
