Tragedy as AFL great turned media personality Danny Frawley DIES after his car ploughed into a tree in horror single-car crash - just one day after his 56th birthday
- AFL identity Danny Frawley has tragically died in a car crash on Monday
- The St Kilda great died just before 1.30pm, a day after his 56th birthday
- Frawley leaves behind wife Anita and daughters Chelsea, Keeley, and Danielle
- Frawley coached Richmond from 2000 to 2004, before becoming commentator
- The much loved footy commentator previously opened up about his depression
AFL identity Danny Frawley has tragically died in a single-car crash.
The St Kilda great and former Richmond coach was killed when his vehicle slammed into a tree near Ballarat, Victoria, just before 1.30pm on Monday.
Frawley, who was the only person in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Frawley (pictured), who was the only person in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene
The man was killed when a car hit a tree near Gordon, 20km east of Ballarat, Victoria, at 1.30pm
The 56-year-old died when the ute he was driving hit a tree near Gordon, 20km east of Ballarat, about 1.30pm on Monday
The badly damaged vehicle was found in a ditch near a large tree.
Police continue investigating the cause of the accident.
Superintendent Jenny Wilson said the incident is 'tragic' for the community.
'Police are contacting next of kin and family members and community that will be impacted,' she said.
'This is another tragic event for the community.'
He leaves behind his wife Anita, and three beautiful daughters Chelsea, Keeley, and Danielle
The badly damaged vehicle was found in a ditch near a large tree. Police arrived at the scene to investigate the accident
Frawley coached Richmond from 2000 to 2004, and worked with Hawthorn and St Kilda before becoming a commentator
Frawley played 240 games for St Kilda and was the club's longest serving captain until Nick Riewoldt eclipsed his record in 2014.
He then coached Richmond from 2000 to 2004, and worked with Hawthorn and St Kilda before becoming a commentator.
Since then Frawley has worked for Triple M, Fox Footy's Bounce and 1116 SEN.
He leaves behind his wife Anita, and three daughters Chelsea, Keeley, and Danielle.
Former Sydney Swans champion Jude Bolton offered his condolences to the family.
'Absolutely devastating news on Danny Frawley. Thoughts go out to all family and friends,' Bolton wrote.
'A champion bloke and an immeasurable impact on so many in the footy community through his playing, coaching & broadcasting. #RIPSpud'.'
Frawley's former manager and close friend Ricky Nixon has been left devastated over the news.
I appreciate the calls & messages but I need some space - Spud was my mate my captain my soul - always there for me now I can't be there for him - thinking of you Anita & the girls Xxx,' he wrote.
Frawley played 240 games for St Kilda and was the club's longest serving captain until Nick Riewoldt eclipsed his record in 2014
Frawley's car was found badly damaged and in a dent as emergency services investigate
Foxtel's CEO and Head of Fox Sports Peter Campbell issued a statement 'a leader' who always gave fans a laugh.
'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,' he said.
'Our deepest love and wishes go to wife Anita and their three daughters Chelsea, Danielle, and Keeley and to his many teammates, both in front and behind the camera.
'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 late as Saturday night on his favourite program, Bounce.'
A statement from Crocmedia, with which Frawley was associated for many years, paid tribute to their 'great friend'.
'Danny was simply loved. A true Australian character, a brilliant entertainer, a selfless father, husband and friend,' spokesman Craig Hutchison said.
Superintendent Jenny Wilson said this horrific accident is 'tragic' for the community
The much loved footy commentator has previously opened up about his depression after suffering a nervous breakdown.
'I had a nervous breakdown ... I did a game for Triple M and I was losing a lot of sleep, and then I completely fell apart,' he said at the time.
'I was really battling with it all. I started losing some sleep, and the more tired I became, the more I had to work.
'The most frightening thing happened when I was at the MCG one afternoon. I was sitting in the car park, behind the wheel. I had no idea where to go, or what to do.'
The football commentator revealed his tough farm upbringing may have played a role in his struggle with mental health.
The much loved footy commentator (left) has previously opened up about his depression after suffering a nervous breakdown
At one point he blamed his father, who he described as a typical stoic farmer who brought up his boys to be men's men who didn't complain.
Then he thought his older brothers were to blame, for instilling a competitive spirit into him through intense sibling rivalry.
Despite his best efforts the pressure became too much, and Frawley went three weeks without sleep in the lead-up to his breakdown.
The tipping point was having to manage a situation he was unequipped to deal with, and the breakdown it triggered led to an 18-month period of learning and recovery.
With help from his psychiatrist, his wife Anita and his daughters Danielle, Chelsea and Keeley, Frawley developed a new perspective on life.
