SA Footy

Not good news this one sadly.

Please find a statement from the family of Jeff Fehring:

“On behalf of Jeff Fehring’s family, we sadly announce that Jeff tragically took his own life on 25th July 2008 as a culmination of drought and depression.

His family would like to sincerely thank their extended family, friends and the football community who have been so much a part of Jeff’s life, for their heartfelt sympathy and messages of support.

The family asks that their privacy be respected at this very difficult time.” - Fehring Family

Terribly sad news and my most heartfelt sympathies to the Fehring family at this time. I remember Jeff very well at Norwood, one of the biggest kicks I ever saw in SANFL in his time at the club.

Depression is a condition that often doesn't receive the funding it deserves and a lot of misconceptions about the condition still exist. Hopefully from such a tragic event, it may inspire those that are experiencing grave difficulty in their lives to take the first positive steps toward the right treatment.

A very empty feeling with this news.

Hopefully it brings more attention to other farming families continuing to struggle on. Sad news indeed.

Can't really add much to what other posters have already, other than to say I remember watching the big fella contirbute to our successful 1982 season, which culminated in him being part of the Premiership team.

I sincerely hope that anyone else finding themselves in a position similar to Jeff has the support and assistance they need to get through their issue.

Condolensces to the Fehring family.

Terrible news. You won't be forgotten by Redlegs fans big fella.

respect.

REB

Shockingly sad news.
Sadly this is not an isolated incident.
Any of you blokes living in country areas, keep an eye on your mates and make sure they don't feel they don't have to take the same route.
The drought is the biggest problem Australia faces today - it doesn't just have an economic impact, also a humanitarian impact.
It's time the government took some serious steps to help alleviate this situation.

RIP Jeff.
Condolences to family, friends and fans.

Dogwatcher wrote:Shockingly sad news.
Sadly this is not an isolated incident.
Any of you blokes living in country areas, keep an eye on your mates and make sure they don't feel they don't have to take the same route.

RIP Jeff.
Condolences to family, friends and fans.

Excellent point D/W, far too easy for some metropolitan folk (a minority thank god) to remain blissfully unaware of the pressures and struggles for the country man on the land.

Life's tough in the city but out in rural Australia it is far tougher.

Lost a mate two weeks ago living in rural Victoria who decided it was all too hard.

RIP Jeff

Jeff played 19 games (1 goal) for Geelong from 1977 to 1979, and another 17 games (3 goals) for St.Kilda from 1980 to 1981. Is most famous for a 94 metre goal playing for the Saints in 1981. Apparently he was really annoyed, having been reported minutes earlier, and just booted the thing as far as he could see it.
He played for Norwood from 1982 to 1983, playing 21 games (9 goals) and was a valuable member of Norwood's 1982 premiership team.

RIP Big fella.

Tragic, and reflecting the neglect of our farmers, and the neglect of depression and other psychiatric disorders by our governments over many years.

Farming has not really paid well for the effort involved since the 1950s and 1960s, and distributors and marketers of our food and other primary products have squeezed the farmers while gouging the public, and the increasing importation of farm products from low cost countries as we lowered tariffs has added to the struggle.

In the medical field the neglect of psychiatric disorder has been profound. It constitutes 25-30% of the morbidity, but attacts 7% of the funding for medical sevices.
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_righ ... ntal09.htm

If Norwood were 5 points down in a grand final and the siren went just as
a free kick was awarded in the centre square, there are only 2 players you
could look to with confidence to get you over the line from that distance.
Noel Pettingill & the late great Jeff Fehring.
Thank you for the wonderful SANFL & VFL games and memories.
R.I.P.

I had heard a bit about Jeff, obviosuly with his booming kick, but was never lucky enough to see him play or watch any footage of him considering I was only 2 when he played for Norwood. Needless to say, it is always very sad and tragic when members of society feel so bad that they have no other choice but to take their own life. Even more tragic considering the circumstances in regards to the depression aspect that the shocking drought had attributed to. Very sad news for his family, friends, Geelong, St.Kilda, Norwood and the general footballing community.

Deepest condolances to the Fehring family, another tragic loss from our great great game of Aussie Rules...

very sad, it seems just yesterday i heard him interviewed on sen (probably 3 years ago) & this is tragic & i endorse what everyone else has said

rip jeff

any others out there thinking the same way GO & SEEK HELP IT IS OUT THERE



i never knew he played for geelong

I think the link I've just posted on the Legs forum might be suitable for here too...

Regards
JAS

Very sad...condolences to his family and friends.

Obviously his days at the club were long before my time so I yahoo'd his name and found this short clip of one of those huge kicks...thought it might bing back some fond memories for you guys...

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v641026hBsqH ... ougarFooty

Regards
JAS