AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has condemned a decision by a Melbourne football club to honour a killer.

Springvale District Football Club players plan to wear black armbands this weekend for long-term member Carl Parkin, who shot dead his former girlfriend this week and then killed himself.

Mr Parkin, 60, of Dingley Park, shot Annette Brown, from Aspendale Gardens, after luring her to a deserted car park in nearby Chelsea Heights on Monday night.

Ms Brown, 57, had taken out an intervention order against Mr Parkin.

Her son Nicholas told a Melbourne newspaper he and his brother, Sam, were devastated by the football club's move.

Mr Demetriou told reporters in Adelaide on Friday the club's actions were inappropriate.

"I think it sends a terrible message to the family of the woman, a terrible message to women in general, sends a terrible message to the community," he said.

"I would urge this football club to think very, very seriously, and I have taken it up already with AFL Victoria, to think very very seriously about what they're contemplating."

The club's secretary, Tony Cooper, could not be contacted.

Mr Parkin had been a member and sponsor of Springvale for 15 years and the club's website is carrying a tribute to its former benefactor.

Melbourne football identity Phil Cleary also attacked the club.

The former independent federal MP played in the old VFA for Coburg and is an advocate against violence towards women after his sister Vicki was murdered by a former partner.

"Sadly, the public will construe this as the club treating lightly the murder of a woman," Mr Cleary said.

"The club is confused and compromised - they are explaining away violence towards women as if it is a tragic death but this is a callous murder.

"I would ask the club this - would they be wearing black armbands if he had murdered a woman down the street or raped and murdered a 16-year-old down the road?"

Mr Cleary said although the state government abolished the law of provocation in 2005, strong attitudes persisted in Australian society - especially at football clubs - of misogyny and treating violence against women within the family lightly.

Parkin had been a respected businessman selling whitegoods in the area and the pair, who both had adult children from previous relationships, had broken up in December after some years together.

A post-mortem examination was being conducted and a report prepared for the coroner.

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