Playing through the pain: Never-seen-before photos show Danny Frawley in his element at a coaching clinic just days before his tragic death
- Danny Frawley was coaching a group of excited kids at a junior footy clinic
- Former Richmond coach, 56, spent four hours with the children in Hong Kong
- The images were taken a week before Frawley's tragic death on September 9
- The AFL great will be farewelled at a private service on Wednesday at 3pm
New photos have emerged of Danny Frawley at a junior footy clinic just days before his tragic death.
The AFL legend was coaching a group of excited children as he run them through kicking drills alongside with Hawthorne players Isaac Smith and Liam Shiels.
The former Richmond coach spent four hours laughing and joking with the kids in Hong Kong, just a week before his suspected suicide on September 9.
The AFL legend was coaching a group of excited children as he run them through kicking drills alongside with Hawthorne players Isaac Smith and Liam Shiels
The former Richmond coach spent four hours laughing and joking with the kids in Hong Kong
Frawley handed out medals to the children after spending four hours with them in Hong Kong
'Spud' Frawley was travelling alone at the time of the single-vehicle crash, when the ute he was driving hit a tree near Ballarat, Victoria, about 1.30pm, just a day after his 56th birthday.
He will be farewelled at a funeral on Wednesday at a private service at Kingston Town Hall.
The service will be broadcast at St Kilda's Moorabbin headquarters and at the club's training ground.
Share this article
His hearse will complete a lap around Moorabbin Reserve in front of St Kilda supporters.
His wife Anita and three daughters Keeley, Chelsea and Danielle have asked for donations to Beyond Blue rather than flowers.
'We will be wearing a touch of blue in memory of Danny and for the significance of Beyond Blue,' Mrs Frawley said.
He leaves behind his wife Anita, and three beautiful daughters Chelsea, Keeley, and Danielle
Frawley coached Richmond from 2000 to 2004, and worked with Hawthorn and St Kilda before becoming a commentator
Frawley was open about his depression in the past and would candidly speak about it to encourage others to seek help.
In a statement released on Monday, Mrs Frawley revealed that he had taken himself of prescription medication in the months leading up to his death.
'The road leading up to last Monday's events began eight months ago when Danny made the decision to take himself off his prescribed medication,' she wrote.
'At this point Danny felt invincible, like the true competitor and proud man that he was; he felt that he had beaten the disease.
'In fact, he felt bullet proof, which contributed to his decision to remove himself from his support network including his psychiatric care and not continuing to work with his team of mental health professionals.
'You should always seek help from professionals when considering making decisions surrounding your mental health, even when you feel as though you have fully recovered,' she said.
For confidential support call Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.
ANITA FRAWLEY STATEMENT ON DEATH OF HER HUSBAND DANNY
On Monday, the love of my life was tragically taken from my girls and I.
Many have speculated on the cause and lead up to this tragedy. Danny, as a champion of mental health would want me to continue his legacy and be open with the public of the events leading up to this heartbreak.
While the circumstances of the event are unconfirmed and will remain uncertain until the investigations are complete, it was true that Danny's mental health had deteriorated in recent weeks.
As is widely known, Danny had experienced and lived with depression dating back a number of years. But to his credit, he had put up his hand and accepted psychiatric treatment, counselling and medication. He recovered and returned to being the Danny of old.
The road leading up to last Monday's events began 8 months ago when Danny made the decision to take himself off his prescribed medication. At this point Danny felt invincible, like the true competitor and proud man that he was; he felt that he had beaten the disease. In fact, he felt bullet proof, which contributed to his decision to remove himself from his support network including his psychiatric care and not continuing to work with his team of mental health professionals.
The reason I am making this public is that I want this to be a reminder to all those grappling with mental health conditions and to those whom have made progress with their wellbeing that you should always seek help from professionals when considering making decisions surrounding your mental health, even when you feel as though you have fully recovered.
Our final memory of Danny is one we will cherish forever, a night spent sitting around our family table, playing board games and laughing on his 56th birthday. He will never be forgotten and will forever be in our hearts.
I would like to leave everyone with this quote from Danny, 'manning up in the past was to suffer in silence, manning up now is to put your hand up.'
We invite all those who would like to farewell our remarkable man to join us at RSEA Park — St Kilda Football Club, 32/60 Linton St, Moorabbin, VIC, 3189 at 3pm on Wednesday the 18th of September.
We will be wearing a touch of blue in memory of Danny and for the significance of beyondblue, PukaUp and One In Five. To show your condolences, we ask that you please donate to beyondblue in honour of Danny.
Danny, you were the love of my life and will continue to be until our paths cross again. Since Monday, there has been a gaping hole in our family which will never be repaired. The girls and I are finding it difficult to accept you are gone and our lives as we knew them will never be the same. We miss you. We will always miss you. Anita xx
Danny Frawley's devastated family released a statement to express their love and pride for a remarkable man who touched the lives of many
