Billy Brownless delivers teary tribute to Danny ‘Spud’ Frawley
An emotional Billy Brownless has opened up about his great mate Danny Frawley and delivered a message to those struggling with mental health.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AFL legend Billy Brownless has delivered a heartfelt tribute to his great mate, Danny “Spud” Frawley.
In September the AFL community was left in mourning after news broke Frawley had died at the scene of a car crash near Ballarat in Victoria.
Watch over 50 sports LIVE on Kayo! Stream to your TV, mobile, tablet or computer. Just $25/month, cancel anytime. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
He was the only person in the car which crashed into a tree around 1.30pm (AEST) in what Victoria Police have described as a “significant collision scene”.
His death devastated the AFL community and left a gaping hole where the much-loved larger-than-life personality worked tirelessly for the game and everyone in it.
On Thursday night’s episode of Channel 10’s I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! the contestants sat around the camp fire discussing the charities they were representing.
Brownless, who had appeared on countless footy shows and radio appearances alongside Frawley, announced his charity was Beyond Blue because of Spud.
“My charity is Beyond Blue, I suppose affected personally by a good friend and Daisy (Dale Thomas) would know this man who was in the media and the footy world,” Brownless said.
“He’s a great fella and we knew he had a couple of issues but it just wore him down I suppose and it was very, very sad because we all love Spud and he’s not with us anymore.
“If you are feeling down or not right, talk to your good mate and tell him how ya really feel.”
Brownless has garnered headlines from his time on the reality show, firstly for his views surrounding women’s footy and then secondly after opening up about his very public split with his wife.
But it was his heartfelt tribute to Spud that left viewers well and truly behind the Geelong legend.
Frawley, the former Richmond coach, left behind a legacy of mental health advocacy, emerging as a key figure in the steps forward the game has taken to address its mental health issues.
His personal battle with depression and his brave determination to share it publicly was a powerful message that cut through to reach countless people inside and outside the game.
“Did you know one in five Australians are living with a mental illness right now’’ Frawley says in the video campaign.
“Join us today and help turn one in five, to none in five.
“And change the face of mental illness for everyone.’’
His death rocked the AFL community and left legends of the game broken over the loss of their beloved mate.
“It’s impossible to sum him up in just a few minutes and I would never even try,” Jason Dunstall said.
“He was the most magnificent partner in crime you could ever wish for … so much passion and he loved to laugh.
Originally published as Billy Brownless delivers teary tribute to Danny ‘Spud’ Frawley