Danny Frawley suffered from brain disorder chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE

The wife of AFL legend Danny Frawley has spoken out about his heartbreaking diagnosis in the hope it will prevent other families from “going through what we did”. Footy greats say it’s a reminder of the dangers of concussion.

A groggy Danny Frawley is helped off the ground by trainers after being concussed.

Footy champ Danny Frawley was suffering from a crippling neurological disorder linked to repeated head knocks at the time of his death.

An analysis of Frawley’s brain has been handed to the Victorian Coroner showing the St Kilda legend suffered from Stage II CTE – chronic traumatic encephalopathy – when his four-wheel drive struck a tree in Millbrook, near Ballan, on September 9 last year.

CTE can only be diagnosed after death.

Frawley lies unconscious on the ground after a clash with Dermott Brereton in 1988.

Frawley lies stunned after being hit behind the play.

St Kilda Football Club captain Frawley after a win against Geelong in 1988.

Frawley’s wife, Anita, confirmed the finding, saying she hopes it will “prevent other families from going through what we did”.

“Our hearts would break seeing others go through the emotions we went through,” Anita said.

“This is an issue for the community, it is not about a particular sport or sports, we need more research to diagnose and assist people living with the disease.”

There is growing concern over the long-term consequences of concussions in contact sports.

Anita said her late husband, who died at 56, had lived with depression for many years and the diagnosis has helped the family better understand the impact of brain injuries in the community.

“His mental health battles, and his strong advocacy for mental health issues, were well known,” she said.

“As his wife for over 30 years, I strongly suspected there was more going on with Danny than straightforward depression.

“I am very grateful for the work of the Australian Sports Brain Bank in shining a light on this disease. We want to prevent other families from going through what we did.

“We are waiting for the release of the coroner’s report before any further comment, however I want people to know about the problem now, and not wait, as I believe this may help families understand the issues.”

Danny with wife Anita and daughters Danielle, Chelsea and Keeley. Picture: Mark Stewart

Frawley (right) and Tony Lockett (left) in the club rooms after a 1989 VFL match.

Frawley sustains a cut above his ear in 1989.

Frawley is helped from the ground after being hit behind the play.

Frawley is the second VFL/AFL player to be diagnosed with CTE, the devastating condition linked to concussions and subconcussive hits.

Footy great Graham “Polly” Farmer, who died in August last year, was confirmed to have Stage III CTE in February.

Frawley’s family agreed for his brain to be analysed at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital as part of a coroner’s investigation into his death.

Samples were also tested in the US at the world-leading Boston Brain Bank. Both found he was suffering from CTE.

CTE ranges from the mildest form, Stage I, to the most severe in Stage IV.

Stage II symptoms can include depression, mood swings and suicidal thoughts.

Frawley, who suffered multiple heavy hits during his career at St Kilda, had talked openly about his struggles with depression before his death.

He played 240 games for his beloved Saints from 1984-95 and captained the club from 1987-95 before coaching Richmond.

Frawley played 11 times for Victoria, became a prominent media figure and was a father of three girls.

A string of high-profile AFL stars have been forced to walk away from the game in recent years because of complications linked to concussions.

Anita revealed after his death that Frawley had taken himself off mental health medication eight months before the accident thinking he had “beaten” his demons.

FOOTY RALLIES FOR FRAWLEY

Former AFL champ Garry Lyon said the diagnosis offered the Frawley family some answers.

“In lots of ways it is not that surprising - the situation with Spud and his depression, the hole he found himself in,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.

“From a family point of view, it has given them some clarity in terms of trying to explain some of his changed behaviours later in life.

“He would front up to work, be the fun loving character, the joker, but privately if you spoke to Anita, she said he was a different man.

“It makes sense. He ended up not being the Danny they knew and loved. They would’ve been asking questions as to why, this gives them clarity.”

Luke Darcy said it was another reminder of the dangers of concussion.

“Still think of our great mate Danny Frawley every weekend,” Luke Darcy said on Triple M’s Hot Breakfast.

“It’s a tragic story, you can imagine for the Frawley family. Maybe there are some answers in that, maybe it does make more sense to understand the struggles Danny was having.

“Now we look back, as you always do, and you think we didn’t understand concussions.”

Darcy said protocols around AFL football and concussion have changed “extraordinarily”, referencing his days on the field where players were sent back to play if they could say their name after being concussed.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire thanked the Frawley family for “offering up” Danny for the tests.

“We know more about the surface of the moon than we know about the inner workings of the brain and the manifestations of those injuries,” Eddie McGuire said on his radio program.

“Thank you to the Frawley family for offering up Danny for these tests.

“We learn more and more about it (concussion) as we go.

“Sometimes these things can be luck of the draw; if there are things we can mitigate against, we have to do so.”

SNAPSHOT

Daniel Patrick Frawley

Born: September 8, 1963

Playing career: 240 games for St Kilda from 1984-1995 (captain 1987-1995)

11 games for Victoria

All Australian 1988

Best & Fairest 1988

Coaching: Richmond 2000-2004 (113 games)

Died September 9, 2019 (aged 56)

MORE NEWS

ANITA SHARES HER MEMORIES OF DANNY

FRAWLEY’S FINAL MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN

GRAHAM ‘POLLY’ FARMERS CTE SHOCK

Originally published as Danny Frawley suffered from brain disorder chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE