Mark Ricciuto says Danny Frawley checked up on Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke before tragic passing
Former opponent, fellow commentator and mate Mark Ricciuto has paid tribute to Danny Frawley, saying the Saints champion was the perfect Aussie bloke, and revealed how he checked up on under-fire Crows coach Don Pyke recently.
Crows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crows. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Adelaide board director Mark Ricciuto has revealed Danny Frawley contacted him to check on the welfare of coach Don Pyke weeks before the Saints champion’s tragic passing on Monday.
Former Richmond boss Frawley was a chief executive of the AFL Coaches Association and always looked out for coaches understanding the mental strain the role involved.
Pyke has endured criticism of his coaching after Adelaide missed the finals for consecutive years.
“He rang me he last couple of weeks to see how Pykey was going. It was what he was like, always thinking of others and how they are getting along in their lives. It is hard to think he is not there anymore,” Ricciuto told Triple M on Tuesday after St Kilda legend Frawley died in a car crash near Ballarat on Monday.
“It is hard to speak about him because it is so raw.
“I would describe him as the perfect Aussie bloke, mate. He was a tough as anything country bloke who loved a punt, his mates and was caring as you could get. He could be tough one minute but then as caring as you could get. He was a family man.
“All the Fox and Triple M boys love him and can’t believe he is gone.”
It’s understood Frawley’s close friend Jason Dunstall will put his Crows external review role on hold while he grieves.
Meanwhile, former Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker said news that ruckman Sam Jacobs had a medical at Carlton last week and could rejoin the club was part and parcel of AFL horse trading.
“That’s for Sauce to decide if he wants to stay at our footy club. Clearly he is having a look elsewhere, that is the industry we are in,” said Walker of veteran Jacobs who is seeking the security of a two year deal.
Walker noted the transfer of talent between the Crows that could see Eddie Betts and Jacobs pursue second stints at Carlton. Bryce Gibbs moved from Carlton to Adelaide for season 2018.
“The Crows and Carlton should to just do a separate trade week,” said Walker.