R.I.P. Danny Frawley

[Beno88]

From when I first knew what footy was, until I was a teenager, Spud was all I knew as a leader. His final game in Round 22 1995 was one of the best, most memorable days I've had at the footy. We didn't go to the Western Oval often, but this mild, sunny August Saturday we did. We sucked at the time, while the Dogs were finals bound. We kicked 12 goals to 1 in the first half and thrashed them. We had a ball watching Danny for the last time standing in the outer. I still remember him running out through a guard of honour with his little daughter holding his hand. I even remember his chance to seal his farewell with a goal, before he sprayed it out on the full. Like many kids, I ran on the ground afterwards as our skipper was chaired off by teammates and supporters alike. I even remember having a laughter and smile filled dinner after the game with all my family. It was a day I'll never forget. To that point, a St Kilda without Danny Frawley had never existed to me. That day we celebrated a wonderful career, now we celebrate a wonderful life, albeit too soon.

[perfectionist]

From when I first knew what footy was, until I was a teenager, Spud was all I knew as a leader. His final game in Round 22 1995 was one of the best, most memorable days I've had at the footy. We didn't go to the Western Oval often, but this mild, sunny August Saturday we did. We sucked at the time, while the Dogs were finals bound. We kicked 12 goals to 1 in the first half and thrashed them. We had a ball watching Danny for the last time standing in the outer. I still remember him running out through a guard of honour with his little daughter holding his hand. I even remember his chance to seal his farewell with a goal, before he sprayed it out on the full. Like many kids, I ran on the ground afterwards as our skipper was chaired off by teammates and supporters alike. I even remember having a laughter and smile filled dinner after the game with all my family. It was a day I'll never forget. To that point, a St Kilda without Danny Frawley had never existed to me. That day we celebrated a wonderful career, now we celebrate a wonderful life, albeit too soon.

The Brownlow votes in that game were:
3. Robert Harvey
2. Nicky Winmar
1. Joel Smith

[saynta]

one of my favorite memories of spud was an Irland v Aussie match with Spud playing a mid field role whilst raking up the possessions. Showed his speed, ball anticipation and skill.

plus this article is worth the read.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victo ... 723e45554b


"Football world pays tribute to Danny Frawley as friends mourn the loveable larrikin

Nicky Winmar has paid his respects to a fellow legend of the St Kilda Football Club, Danny Frawley, following the sudden death of his former teammate and captain."

[mbogo]

Danny Frawley, total legend.
RIP Danny, I am not sure you knew just what a powerful emotional connection you brought to Moorabbin, and what a leader of forces you were.
It makes us all so sad! Condolences to all the family.

[Enrico_Misso]

If ONLY Danny could read all these tributes and realise just how incredibly much he meant to so so many of us, maybe he would have made different decisions?

And if only we/the club had realised how badly he was travelling we could have cucooned him and protected him.

[Bowey Boy]

Apparently Police are not counting the death as part of the road toll.

[Sainternist]

I know its not the time to say it, but I think the number 2 should be retired, possibly permanently.

Don’t agree, no.1 hasn’t been retired and it creates a precedence.

I agree. Retiring numbers is an American sports tradition that doesn’t belong in our game. Plus, I like the idea of passing on a famous number to an up and coming player. Perhaps Carlisle will be given more incentive to try and live up to the legend of Spud Frawley if he remains a Saint next year.

[chook23]

Apparently Police are not counting the death as part of the road toll.

Was only mentioned in the grab part of the story HS website......


Not mentioned in body of article other than Police had claimed not suspicious........
(ie shot etc etc)

Whilst it may appear he drove straight at the tree.........a full autopsy/coroners report would clarify if he was effected by drugs/alcohol/blackout etc.....

The reason not added to likely road toll at this stage........would be that accident or other has not been fully determined yet......


Within an hour the reference to not counting as part of road toll was removed.......

Personally I think the story included ( a standard practice) until possible inquest was to give an apparent outcome before fully determined......

(not aware if anything in car or elsewhere that clarifies the circumstances)

[ausfatcat]

Apparently Police are not counting the death as part of the road toll.

On the radio they said the police are classifying it as a self harm incident

[bigcarl]

Apparently Police are not counting the death as part of the road toll.

On the radio they said the police are classifying it as a self harm incident

It would be impossible to be 100 per cent certain on that unless there was a note.

Either way, it’s just tragic, and the outpouring of emotion everywhere shows how beloved a man he was.

[ausfatcat]

Well I suppose there is a distinction to self harm and suicide but reality is no one will truly ever know...……………….

[Scollop]

It could have been a medical episode
He may have been distracted momentarily
There may have been an animal on the road

It's pointless and presumptuous to claim it was self harm unless there are mitigating circumstances or evidence comes out from people close to him that had contact with Danny in the minutes and hours prior to the accident

[Joffa Burns]

The question surrounds whether he was wearing a seat belt or not.

[samuraisaint]

RIP Danny boy.
Next time I go to Bungaree I will have a toast in his honour. Not much there besides the footy ground with a Danny Frawley stand but I will make the pilgrimage.
Gone too soon - but left one hell of a legacy.

[markp]

A tragic loss, and deeply disturbing.

If you think you may need help, seek it out.

[Scollop]

I understand that people want answers, but perhaps it's best to wait until there's a conclusion to the investigation.

Right now family and friends need support and need time to grieve and time to pay their respect to their loved one

[Joffa Burns]

I understand that people want answers, but perhaps it's best to wait until there's a conclusion to the investigation.

Right now family and friends need support and need time to grieve and time to pay their respect to their loved one

Yes, probably dipping in too far.

[evertonfc]

A genuine tragedy.

I didn't know Danny directly, but many people who did know him knew he was fighting what could best be described as a battle that had consumed him for many years. Beyond footy, he wrestled with some other challenges. None of this would have been easy.

Spud clearly had a unique mind; even in the best of times he was full of emotion. It was not a life lived in black and white.

When you join the dots together, it's easy to say somebody should have stepped in. But the real truth is that those dots weren't easy to join - he was goofing around on Bounce as recently as Saturday; going shopping with his daughters the week before.

The week before that, he went on the Sacked podcast, and sounded like somebody who was still struggling with the turmoil of his life but, equally, seemed intent on finding the blue sky ahead.

As a Sainter, there were none who gave better service and none who were more dedicated to the club. Geez, he really loved the Saints and we loved him.

You can see that he always wanted to be fun, and have fun. With that must come its own pressures, especially when he fancied himself as a serious football coach and administrator. Not to mention somebody who wanted to be a great Dad and husband.

It was always a lot for a Spud farmer from Bungaree to take in. But he gave so much of himself in his years on this earth. It was a hell of a contribution to St Kilda.

He will be loved and remembered for his many qualities, not least of which was giving every ounce of his being to everyone who crossed his path.

[bigcarl]

The question surrounds whether he was wearing a seat belt or not.

Ah, I see

[saintspremiers]

It could have been a medical episode
He may have been distracted momentarily
There may have been an animal on the road

It's pointless and presumptuous to claim it was self harm unless there are mitigating circumstances or evidence comes out from people close to him that had contact with Danny in the minutes and hours prior to the accident

Everything written everywhere has said self harm.

It’s suicide. We don’t know all the facts, the cops will know a lot more and probably won’t ever release them publicly.

[Saintmatt]

It could have been a medical episode
He may have been distracted momentarily
There may have been an animal on the road

It's pointless and presumptuous to claim it was self harm unless there are mitigating circumstances or evidence comes out from people close to him that had contact with Danny in the minutes and hours prior to the accident

Everything written everywhere has said self harm.

It’s suicide. We don’t know all the facts, the cops will know a lot more and probably won’t ever release them publicly.

Correct. This is what it is. There is an arrangement between news outlets and VicPol that when it is suicide, they print the LifeLine and BeyondBlue (& sometimes, Headspace) numbers. It’s an organised campaign in trying to de-stigmatise suicide.

Our beloved Spud was a man deeply uneasy in his own skin. His issues consumed him in the end and as Jeff Kennett said - we couldn’t save him. No one could. It was Spud’s fight to fight for as long as he could. The issues mentioned in Chip LeGrand’s article would be enough to make a sane man resort to drastic measures; let alone one with self acknowledged mental health issues.

Seat belt, no seat belt - it doesn’t matter. It is what it is and the outcome is horrific.

This shouldn’t define Spud. It’s just a sad episode in an otherwise beautifully lived life.

[CQ SAINT]

I'm not sure if Danny committed suicide. There is enough sane logic to expect that he didn't and possibly enough self-confessed chaos and depression with in his life to suggest he did.

My brother, a stubborn, forthright and determined individual, attempted suicide twice and then finally succeeded. Despite being well planned, his attempts were discovered and there was intervention to save him.After his second attempt we spoke at length.

He said he was shocked by the response he received, the love and affection that was poured on him was overwhelming he said. He also saw the grief in other people through his attempts and it had an amazing affect on him. For a year after our conversation he seemed so well, so stable and he seemed to have regained a balance in his life, reassuring us with open contact, discussion and love that he was ok, managing his mental health and living in the moment.

Then one night he quietly slipped away.

I cannot imagine how he felt, I cannot imagine the courage and resilience it took for him to live and die the way he did. But, it did nothing to change the way I felt about him, the memories, the love, the sadness in the invisible struggle he encountered in his own mental health. Some things, as inconceivable as they are, just are.

Vale Danny Frawley, a warrior until the end.

[Rubyjo]

So it was his birthday.. He was in Melbourne got on the piss with his mates.. Drove home fell asleep at the wheel. Most likely scenario.

[Saintmatt]

So it was his birthday.. He was in Melbourne got on the piss with his mates.. Drove home fell asleep at the wheel. Most likely scenario.

Whatever helps get you through. But that's not what happened. Seriously - just stop it.

[Laurie]

A very sad loss of a truly inspirational St.Kilda player and captain.
Great memories of a player who gave his all for rhe club and inspired others around him as well.
R.I.P Danny (spud)Frawley
Condolences to the Frawley Family