Frawley with daughter Keeley then aged three and a half in 2004.Credit:Sebastian Costanzo
When a dying Ted Whitten farewelled the MCG with a final lap of honour at a state of origin match,it was Frawley who introduced him to each of the players in the Victoria rooms. Whitten’s whispered words stayed with him for the rest of his life.
Frawley’s coaching career saw him take over Richmond in 2000,a time when Tigerland was notorious for devouring its own. In the five seasons he coached,his hair turned white and a young man seemingly grew old.
“He was an incredible man,the energy he had,no matter where he was he would have 40 people around him because of his infectious personality and his ability to tell a story,’’ former Richmond captain Wayne Campbell said.
“He was the essence of a true leader because people were drawn to him and followed him.”
It was in his years at Richmond that Frawley publicly revealed his frailties,alongside his strengths. He spoke last month of the toll the job took on his family and mental health. He also revealed the breakdown he experienced at the height of the Essendon doping crisis,when as chief executive of the AFL coaches’ association he was torn between his responsibility to the game and the welfare of coaches implicated in the scandal.
Frawley coaching Richmond.Credit:Sean Garnsworthy
The doping crisis became a highly personal one,with Frawley unable to sleep and increasingly,to function in his broadcast job.
“The most frightening thing happened when I was at the MCG one afternoon,’’ he told theHerald Sun in a recent podcast. “I was sitting in the car park,behind the wheel. I had no idea where to go,or what to do.”
His wife Anita had to drive to the ground from their bayside house to pick him up.
In recent months and weeks,Frawley’s poor mental health became acute.
He continued to work in the media,hosting Fox Footy’sThe Bounce with Jason Dunstall,and helped out as an assistant coach at St Kilda and St Bedes,the amateur club where Luke Beveridge coached before embarking on his AFL career.
Frawley with wife Anita at a Brownlow Medal count.Credit:Vince Caligiuri
In quiet moments,he told those he trusted that he was struggling to cope. His problems were well known to his family.
Andrew Plympton,a president of the St Kilda Football Club during Frawley’s time as captain,said Frawley’s fight against depression showed the fickle nature of mental health.
“He came from a fantastically steady family,’’ Plympton said. “I can’t even try to understand where Danny had issues from.”
Frawley was raised in a big,supportive family. His late father Brian was president of the local football club,his brother Michael now runs the family farm. His problems were well known to his siblings,some of who were making emergency dashes home from overseas on Monday night.
Danny Frawley is survived by his wife Anita and three adult daughters.
If you or anyone you know needs support:Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.