The football world is in mourning after St Kilda legend Danny Frawley died in a single-vehicle crash on Monday.
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.
“He was a friend to all at the AFL and everyone in the wider football community. ‘Spud’ was loved by all, always a popular visitor to AFL House and our thoughts are with Anita, Chelsea, Danielle and Keeley.”
Saints president Andrew Bassat said the club was still coming to terms with the news.
On Monday night, heartbroken Saints fans were gathering at the club’s Moorabbin headquarters and leaving flowers, turning the club’s base into a makeshift shrine for the man who played 240 matches at St Kilda and captained the club 177 times.
“We are incredibly saddened by Danny’s death,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with Anita, and daughters Chelsea, Keeley and Danielle, and we will do whatever we can to support them in the days, weeks and months ahead.
“Danny will be remembered as one of St Kilda’s greatest ever players and a dear friend to so many at the football club.
“He was a larger-than-life character, a generous and warm personality, and a favourite son who has left an indelible mark on St Kilda.
“Danny was an active member of our Past Players’ Committee and a much-loved champion to our thousands of supporters.
Former teammate and St Kilda board member Nathan Burke said it was a sad day for the football world.
“Danny was a legend of a player here (at St Kilda) and coached Richmond and was in the media,” he said.
“Every aspect of this industry Danny has touched. I think everyone would be equally sad.’’
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.
“I haven’t enjoyed a season more than 2001.
“It was because of those qualities that you wanted to play for Spud.
“He will be sadly missed by so many. Every time I’ve seen him since his coaching days I’ve left with a smile on my face.
“I will miss bumping into him at the footy.”
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.”
Life is short and life is unfair. Love, laugh and give your loved ones a hug #😢
— Brad Green (@bradgreen18) September 9, 2019
Leon Daphne was the Richmond president who oversaw his appointment.
“I liked Danny’s hardworking and at times aggressive approach as a player, and when coupled with a touch of emotion I thought it would be a good mix to coach Richmond,” said Daphne.
“Ultimately it didn’t work out but he took us on a very exciting ride to the 2001 Preliminary Final. I just feel so sad for Anita, their girls and extended family.”
Former Sydney star and AFL commentator Jude Bolton said Frawley was a “champion bloke”.
“(He had) an immeasurable impact on so many in the footy community through his playing, coaching & broadcasting,’’ Bolton said.
R.I.P mate. You gave me my first opportunity to play AFL. You took a punt on me, when no one else did. You were so supportive and always there for me and my family. I’m forever grateful. Condolences to Anita, Chelsea, Keeley and Danielle. Gone way to soon. R.I.P Spud 💔 pic.twitter.com/wHPMjfYqvl
— Andrew Krakouer (@andrewkrakouer) September 9, 2019
Former Tiger and Magpie Andrew Krakouer thanked the man who gave him his first chance to play AFL football.
“You gave me my first opportunity to play AFL,” he wrote on Twitter.
“You took a punt on me, when no one else did. You were so supportive and always there for me and my family. I’m forever grateful. Condolences to Anita, Chelsea, Keeley and Danielle. Gone way to soon.”
Former Brisbane Lions champ and Fox Footy commentator Jonathan Brown broke down as he recalled some of his fondest memories spent alongside Frawley.
“My first memory of Spud was with Roosy when they used to go around Victoria and do the Victorian super clinics,” he said on Fox Footy.
“Coming to the ground and seeing Spud, and then 20 years later I was doing the same thing with him, when we were going around country Victoria on the Toyota regional bus tours.
“I looked at those kids and I thought, I saw meself in those kids. I thought, 20 years ago I was doing that.
“And Spud’s still bringing a smile to these kids’ faces. He was just so infectious.”
AFL: Jonathan Brown, Paul Roos and Gerard Healy share stories of their memories of AFL legend Danny Frawley, who tragically passed away on Monday.
All at the Richmond Football Club are mourning the passing of our former coach, Danny Frawley.
Passionate and wholehearted, Danny coached 113 senior games between 2000 and 2004, including guiding the club to the 2001 preliminary final.
Loved by so many; Rest In Peace, Spud ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xRvQWCjH30
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) September 9, 2019
R.I.P mate. Still can’t believe it. ❤️
— David Armitage (@armo_20) September 9, 2019
This is such a sad sad day. Families, friends & the entire AFL community are hurting big time. RIP Danny Frawley
— Terry Wallace (@thelistmanager) September 9, 2019
Just so sad. Love and prayers for the Frawley family. Thinking of you all. XO
— David King (@davidking34) September 9, 2019
How do we make sense of the shock passing of Danny Frawley. A respected competitor, a loyal and ever supportive assistant but more importantly a bloody good bloke and friend. Thoughts are with Anita and the girls.
— Tony Shaw (@TonyShaw22) September 9, 2019
A player you would have loved to play with. A performer who remembered to put the fun into footy. A bloke you wanted to have a beer with.
Vale, Spud. 😢
So much love to Anita, the girls and all his friends and family.
— Daniel Harford (@HarfSerious) September 9, 2019
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "AFL figure believed dead in car crash at Millbrook - Herald Sun"
Post a Comment