Frawley legacy to continue with return of Spud’s Game
In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- The second annual Spud’s Game will be held in round 14, with game ambassadors announced.
- Teams for round 12.
- Bulldogs’ belief is building: Beveridge
Come back for updates throughout the day.
Frawley legacy to continue in Spud’s game
Jon Pierik
The daughter of St Kilda great Danny Frawley hopes the second annual match played in his honour will continue to raise awareness for mental health.
Chelsea Frawley was among several guests on Friday at the Moorabbin health and wellbeing facility named after her late father where details of “Spud’s Game”, the round 14 clash between the Saints and Essendon, were released. The Friday night fundraiser at Marvel Stadium will be run with Movember.
State and federal politicians joined the Frawley family and members of the wider football fraternity at the unveiling of the centre named in Danny Frawley’s honour in March.Credit:AFL Photos
Supporters will be able to purchase virtual footballs, which can be customised, to help raise funds.
“Our family has clearly been touched by mental-health battles in a really significant way, but each story that connects to this cause will be different,” Chelsea Frawley said.
“There’s no wrong or right way to identify with this conversation. We’re just so glad that people are beginning to understand that there’s no shame in talking about mental health and, in doing so, you could actually save the life of someone you love.”
Frawley’s wife Anita, and Chelsea, Danielle and Keeley Frawley will be joined by Saints’ great Nathan Burke, Richmond champion Matthew Richardson, former Olympian Nova Peris, Western Bulldogs’ premiership star Tom Boyd and current St Kilda players Max King and Olivia Vesely as ambassadors for the event.
Saints’ chief executive Matt Finnis said virtual footballs were an ideal way to show support.
“A footy is symbolic of many things: mateship, connection, a shared passion. It’s different for every individual, just like mental health,” Finnis said.
“That’s why this year we’re introducing virtual footies as a way for people to donate to Spud’s Game and to help fund life-saving mental health and suicide prevention programs, delivered through the Danny Frawley Centre.
“The feedback from Saints fans last year was that one in two of them who either watched or attended Spud’s Game reached out to someone to check in on their wellbeing. That’s the stat that we’re proudest of, and we hope that through the purchasing and sharing of virtual footies that impact will be felt in the lead-up to and following game day.”
Garry Lyon, Tony Lockett and Stewart Lowe, three of Frawley’s closest friends, delivered a stirring pre-match address when the Demons and Saints met last year. There are plans for a similar address later this month.
Garry Lyon, Tony Lockett and Stewart Loewe delivered a stirring pre-match address at the inaugural Spud’s Game.Credit:Getty
“In an AFL first, we saw the footy world literally stand still to observe a spine tingling and highly moving two-minute pre-game address from Garry Lyon, Stewart Lowe and Tony Lockett,” Finnis said.
“To see mental health being featured in such a prominent, prime-time position was very powerful and something we as a club are extremely proud of.
“While it’s still a tightly guarded secret as to who will be addressing the players this year, I have no doubt it will again be a very meaningful moment.”
The Frawley centre was the brainchild of Finnis, who secured $8.5 million in funding from the former Morrison government and $7 million from the Andrews government.
Frawley, the former St Kilda captain, Richmond coach, media commentator and AFL figure, died when his car struck a tree outside Ballarat in 2019.
A much-loved character who had time for everyone, his legacy has increasingly centred on his mental-health battles and an unflinching willingness to disclose them.
Crisis support can be found at Lifeline: (13 11 14 and lifeline.org.au), the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467 and suicidecallbackservice.org.au) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636 and beyondblue.org.au)
Demons make five changes
Lachlan Abbott
Melbourne has made five changes following the club’s first loss this season, with forward Sam Weideman among four players dropped ahead of their match against Sydney on Saturday.
Forward Sam Weideman will miss for the Demons this weekend.Credit:Getty Images
Weideman has been in and out of the side as coach Simon Goodwin juggles several key position players in the Demons’ forward line, with Tom McDonald set to return after recovering from an ankle injury.
Premiership defender Christian Salem, wingman Ed Langdon and midfielder James Harmes will also come into the side after overcoming various injuries.
The Demons dropped forwards Jake Melksham and Toby Bedford, with defender Trent Rivers also omitted to make away for the premiership players.
Defender Adam Tomlinson will also play after key defender Steven May was forced to miss this round after he suffered a concussion last weekend against Fremantle.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said Tomlinson had earned his place in the Demons’ side after performing strongly at VFL level, with competition for spots in Melbourne’s defence fierce.
“He’s back winning one-on-one contests. He’s playing our defensive system to a really high level,” Goodwin said.
Elsewhere, two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe will return through the WAFL instead of being inserted straight into Fremantle’s team to play the Brisbane Lions this weekend after recovering from shoulder and back surgeries. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said Fyfe needed to regain match fitness and confidence in his body after 10 months out.
Bulldogs’ belief building as they eye big scalps
Andrew Wu
The cavalry is returning, and belief is building at the Whitten Oval as the Western Bulldogs eye big scalps in the run home, starting with Geelong tonight.
After what coach Luke Beveridge conceded was an “inauspicious” start to their campaign, last year’s grand finalists are in the eight for the first time this season and on the right side of the win-loss ledger.
Momentum is building after wins over Collingwood, Gold Coast and West Coast though the clash with the Cats shapes as the biggest test of the progress they have made. Not since round three when they beat Sydney have the Dogs played a side currently in the eight.
“I said a long time ago you have to re-establish yourself,” Beveridge said on Thursday. “I feel like at the halfway mark we’re just starting to re-emerge. What that means on Friday night I hope that’s really encouraging and the proposition of playing teams ahead of us, around us and influencing where we end up at the end of the whole thing is perfect.”
In eighth on percentage and two games outside the top four, the Dogs face a tough run home with seven games against sides currently in the eight.
“Contextually, being in the mix is important for us after an inauspicious start to the year,” Beveridge said.
“It still remains to be seen who makes a play. It’s an exciting proposition to play the Cats on a Friday night, considering they’re sixth and we’re eighth. I know our guys are really looking forward to it.
“Whether it’s Melbourne or the teams just below them, there’s half a year to go. We have to make sure we maintain momentum and challenge them and hopefully a couple drop off and we play Fremantle and Melbourne, so there’s a couple of opportunities to get a scalp or two ahead.”
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