The AFL community, family and friends of Danny Frawley will gather at Moorabbin on Wednesday to pay their respects and farewell the much-loved St Kilda legend.
Emotional tributes have flowed since Frawley died on Monday, September 9, when the ute he was driving on his own hit a tree near Ballarat.
Frawley, who spoke bravely of his battles with mental health issues in recent years, is survived by his wife Anita and their three daughters, Chelsea, Danielle and Keeley, along with his mother and five siblings.
A private funeral service will be held for family and friends from 3pm at Kingston Town Hall, which will be broadcast on Fox Footy and shown on large screens at Moorabbin Oval for members of the public.
Following the service at approximately 5pm, a guard of honour will be formed at Moorabbin Oval as Frawley’s hearse does a final lap of honour around the ground where he played 72 of his 240 AFL games.
The Saints’ Moorabbin headquarters quickly became the focal point for the outpouring of grief following Frawley’s death the day after his 56th birthday.
A makeshift shrine was set up outside the club’s main entry, with floral tributes, scarves and guernseys left by fans.
There were even a few potatoes in honour of the man affectionately known as ‘Spud’, who grew up on a potato farm in Bungaree near Ballarat.
A pictorial tribute was also set up in a display case in the club’s Hall of Fame.
Well known for his exploits on the field, then as a coach and media personality, the larger-than-life character became a strong advocate for mental health issues when he revealed his own battle with depression.
In an effort to continue her husband’s fight against mental health issues, Anita Frawley urged anyone having problems to seek help in a heartfelt statement released on Monday.
“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’,” she said.
“Danny, you were the love of my life and will continue to be until our paths cross again.”
Instead of flowers, Frawley’s family has requested donations be sent to Beyond Blue.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
