Danny Frawley dies in car crash, football world mourns loveable larrikin
The football world is in mourning after St Kilda legend Danny Frawley died in a single-vehicle crash on Monday, reports the Herald Sun.
Frawley, the former Saints champion turned Richmond coach, later went into broadcasting, where he became a favourite among footy fans.
Former teammates, rivals and media colleagues are among those taking to social media to express their grief.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan shared his condolences to the Frawley family and colleagues across the whole industry.
“It is a devastating day for the wider football community, and Danny’s loss will be taken very hard by so many people within our industry, as well as within our own organisation,” he said.
“Danny was passionate about footy and passionate about people. He made such a positive and lasting influence on so many in our game.
Matthew Richardson, the former Richmond champion who played under Frawley during his reign as Tigers coach, said Frawley had an infectious warmth.
“More than anything for me ‘Spud’ was a charismatic character who you wanted to be around,” Richardson said.
“He made you feel good, made you laugh, made you smile, which made it an enjoyable environment in his first few years at Richmond.
As his friend and long-time Triple M colleague Brian Taylor said, Frawley’s family meant everything to him.
“He loved his family and was an absolute gentleman. He also had a wide circle of mates,” Taylor said.
“There were the Triple M crew like Jason Dunstall, Bill Brownless, James Brayshaw and Garry Lyon, but he had kept his friends from his Ballarat days. ‘Spud’ was a straight-shooting knockabout country boy at heart.”
Football world mourns a fierce competitor and vulnerable soul
Australian football is mourning one of its fiercest competitors and most vulnerable souls after long-serving St Kilda captain, former Richmond coach and popular media personality Danny Frawley crashed his car into a tree on a quiet country road, reports The Age’s Chip Le Grand.
Frawley died about 1.30pm on Monday, the day after his 56th birthday, when his four-wheel-drive left a single lane road and hit a tree outside the western districts town of Millbrook, east of Ballarat.
Frawley had spoken candidly about his battle with mental health over many years. In recent weeks he confided in friends and family that his marriage was over and personal finances were under severe strain.
In recent months and weeks, Frawley’s poor mental health became acute.
He continued to work in the media, hosting Fox Footy’s The Bounce with Jason Dunstall.
Fox Footy programs AFL 360, On The Couch mourn a colleague
AFL 360 hosts Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson abandoned their regular program last night and paid tribute to their Fox Footy colleague Danny Frawley for much of the program. During the show they crossed to the hosts of On The Couch – Gerard Healy, Jonathan Brown and Paul Roos. Garry Lyon was unable to appear as he dealt with the loss of his good friend.
This statement last night from Patrick Delany, Foxtel CEO, and Peter Campbell, head of Fox Sports:
Words cannot convey our deep love and respect for Danny Frawley.
The Fox Sports family, and particularly Fox Footy, today lost one of its own – a leader, a man of incredible passion, insight and love for his family and for his game, AFL.
Our deepest love and wishes go to his wife Anita and their three daughters Chelsea, Danielle, and Keeley and to his many teammates, both in front and behind the camera.
It is a tragic time for all.
Danny gave us so many laughs and magic moments, from his playing days at St Kilda, coaching at Richmond and then his gifted touches at Fox Footy, as recently as Saturday night on his favourite program, Bounce.
Crocmedia on the passing of a great friend – Danny Frawley
Crocmedia released this statement Monday evening:
We are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our great friend Danny ‘Spud’ Frawley.
The much-loved footy legend has been a cherished part of the Crocmedia and 1116 SEN families for many years and this news has rocked us all.
Spud was one of our original Off The Bench TV hosts, a key member of our AFL Nation broadcast team and a regular guest across our station.
His daughter Chelsea Frawley also works with us and our heart-felt sympathy goes out to her, Anita, Danielle and Keeley.
The St Kilda legend and former Richmond coach was a larger-than-life identity in both football, the media and the community more broadly – especially his beloved regional town of Ballarat.
In recent years, Spud revealed his personal battle with mental health issues which inspired many as he bravely shared his fight across many media channels.
Pacific Star Network managing director Craig Hutchison said the community at large was devastated by the news.
“Danny was simply loved. A true Australian character; a brilliant entertainer; a selfless father, husband and friend.
“He epitomised the spirit of the St Kilda football club and his football legacy as a player, coach, administrator and media performer is enormous.
“But his sense of community and the way he inspired others will be forever remembered.
“Like the entire football world, and the broader Victorian community, we are stunned and shattered at this extraordinary loss.
“He was simply everyone’s mate.”
Footy Classified and Talking Footy remember St Kilda great Frawley
Danny Frawley’s good friend and former Triple M colleague Damian Barrett joined the cast of Footy Classified last night as the program devoted the first segment of the show to remembering Danny Frawley.
Footy Classified host Craig Hutchison led the tributes and was joined by Caroline Wilson and Matthew Lloyd. After the first break regular Chris Judd took his place on the panel.
Seven’s Monday AFL review program Talking Footy started with host Luke Darcy admitting they were not sure whether the program should go to air, so upset were the hosts.
Joining Darcy on the show was good friend and former St Kilda colleague Michael Roberts. Also remembering Frawley were Talking Footy regulars Tim Watson and Wayne Carey.
Radio calls from listeners at SEN/Triple M share Danny Frawley stories
Danny Frawley had been currently employed by Melbourne sports station SEN and was part of their AFL Nation call. The station had been flooded with calls after the news of Frawley’s passing broke on Monday.
Speaking about their relationship with Frawley and what he did for football were Craig Hutchison, Andy Maher, Bob Murphy, Sam McClure and many others in the SEN family.
The station’s breakfast show started on Tuesday morning without Garry Lyon who was replaced on air by Jack Heverin co-hosting with Tim Watson. The program called on listeners to share memories of Frawley.
The show interspersed the calls with memories Heverin and Watson had with their friend and colleague. Hutchy and former Richmond coach Tony Jewell were guests on the show this morning.
Frawley’s former radio home was Triple M and Eddie McGuire and Luke Darcy started their breakfast show paying tribute to Frawley and also taking calls about the AFL great. When Wil Anderson joined the show after 7am, he talked about Frawley the comedian and the station put together several clips of Spud at his best.