Rex Hunt cops devastating new diagnosis as AFL world rallies around beloved icon

Rex Hunt's wife has revealed the devastating news that the AFL icon has been diagnosed with dementia. The 74-year-old has battled a number of health issues in recent years, and is now facing his biggest challenge.

“We are dealing with this as a family and are giving him love and support,” Hunt’s wife Lynne told News Corp. “He is fit, in good spirits and looking forward to going fishing again soon. Thousands of families around Australia have loved ones living with dementia and we are no different from any of them.”

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A former Richmond, Geelong and St Kilda player, Hunt became a household name in Australia on the 'Rex Hunt's Fishing Adventure' TV show. He has also worked extensively in the media and commentary since his retirement from footy.

In September, close friend Sam Newman revealed that Hunt had checked himself into a care facility after a brief appearance at a media function before the AFL grand final. He first admitted himself into a facility in July and has spoken openly about his battle with bipolar depression.

“It is well documented that I am a friend of Rex Hunt and I worry for his present state of mind,” Newman told News Corp. “He should give himself a break from public life and focus on his wellbeing spiritually, physically and mentally. He is a good friend, and we all want the best for him.” Long-time friend John Locco said: “We are hopeful that over time that he can make steady progress to recovery and there are many people in support of Rex who wish him well in his current situation.”

In January, Hunt was driving along the Princes Highway towards Geelong at 2am when he pulled over and called police for assistance. He was then taken to hospital. “Rex was a good footballer, he played in two premierships, and he has been a great radio caller and a world-class fisherman … and despite all of that, Rex, he is having some mental problems,” Newman said on his 'You Cannot Be Serious' podcast at the time.

“We are trying to support him to say ‘Rex, you have got to help yourself before everyone else tries to help you’. He is not in a good place, but he should, if he has got any experience in life about what made him a good footballer or what made him good on the radio or what made him a world-class fisherman, if he used those principles to try and guide him, he might take a turn for the better.”

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Speaking on the same podcast in May, Hunt said: “Life will never ever be the same. Mental illness is a nasty word for some, but until it happens to you, I had no idea the ups and downs your mind goes through when you are suffering what I am suffering.

“If I can help somebody to understand that you can be what is normal, or quite normal in your particular mind, and the next moment you are in a straight jacket down in a facility. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain and I have been diagnosed with bipolar depression, high highs and low lows.”

Hunt played in the AFL for 11 years, featuring in 202 games throughout stints with Richmond, Geelong and St Kilda. He won two premierships with the Tigers and was invited to celebrate with the players when the club won again in 2017. AFL fans were quick to rally around the icon after the news of his dementia was made public on Wednesday.

Readers seeking support and information can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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