The Brisbane Lions, players from the Brisbane Lions triple premiership era of 2001-02-03 and Lions fans Australia-wide were in a collective state of shock and sadness today as premiership teammate Aaron Shattock fights for his life on the Gold Coast.

The 44-year-old father of three, a builder on the Gold Coast, was crushed when an excavator rolled on him. He underwent emergency surgery this afternoon for severe chest injuries.

Triple premiership captain Michael Voss described Shattock as “a ripping good fella” and “an outstanding teammate”.

“I can’t believe it … it’s terrible at any time but just before Christmas is even worse. Our prayers are with him and his family.”

Shattock, husband to Claire and father to Mitch, Cleo and Sadie, was drafted from SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens by the Lions with pick #45 in 1998 AFL Draft.

The family has asked media and fans for privacy during this difficult time.

Aaron made his AFL debut with Jonathan Brown as Jason Akermanis celebrated his 100^th AFL game against Adelaide at the Gabba in Round 5 2000.

A regular at the annual players’ reunion at the Gabba in recent years, he played 57 AFL games for the club in jumper #34 from 2000-04, highlighted by the 2002 AFL premiership.

This came after he’d been emergency for the Lions’ 2001 AFL premiership side, and a key figure in the Lions Reserves team which the following week won the QAFL State League premiership.

He later played 11 games with Port Adelaide in 2005-06 before finishing his career with a decade of outstanding service at QAFL club Labrador, where he was a player, captain, assistant-coach and coach.

The Lions’ 2002 premiership magazine recounted the emotional reaction of an almost speechless Shattock in the MCG dressing rooms shortly after the final siren.

“It has been a lifetime dream …. It’s just unbelievable. “As a kid that’s all you think about. I missed out last year and now I know what it’s like. It’s a dream come true. We’re part of history now and it’s great.”