Spud’s Game has been played since 2021 in memory of St Kilda great Danny Frawley who died in a car crash in 2019.
Frawley battled depression and other mental health issues after his playing career despite building a successful media career.
St Kilda Saints and the Brisbane Lions players huddle before Spud’s game in 2023.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
His wife Anita donated his brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank and the ABC reported that in September 2020 researchers found Frawley was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE as it is known which is caused by the impact of concussions.
From Saints media:
Spud’s Game
Tonight, Spud’s Game will return to footy’s biggest stage as the Saints take on Carlton at the MCG. Using the power of the game to start life-saving conversations, Spud’s Game will see the AFL community unite to stand for mental health and raise crucial funds which will go directly to life-saving mental health programs and research. The traditional two-minute moment will return at 7.40pm featuring Premiership Bulldog and mental health advocate, Tom Boyd.
Mental Health in Australia
- Mental health touches everyone – every club, every family, every person in one way or another.
- 1 in 5 Australians experienced a mental illness in the past year – that’s 4.3 million people.
- We’ve all had times when life gets heavy.
- The message is simple – don’t carry it alone. There is support, there is help, and you are not a burden.
- Whether you’re riding, donating, or just checking in on someone, that’s how we make change and save lives.
- Spud’s legacy is about breaking down stigma, speaking up, and having each other’s backs. It’s a message that’s more important now than ever
