Brendan Fevola returned to Yarrawonga to promote Remedy kombucha, much to the delight of young fans Bobby Best, Angus Douglass, Sam Kennedy and Ollie McDonald.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
Brendan Fevola lead a polarising life as an AFL footballer in a storied career that garnered 204 games, two Coleman Medals and three All Australian guernseys, but didn’t have the fairytale ending he would have liked.
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A 2016 on-screen moment, while filming the second season of reality series ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!’, Fevola revealed moving to Yarrawonga and playing with the Pigeons saved his life after battling with gambling addiction.
On Saturday, ‘Fev’, now 45, returned to his “second home”, visiting the Pigeons to take in a game of footy and reconnect with local friends and fans.
Officially in town to promote Remedy, a brand of kombucha, and convert beer lovers the land over, he reflected on his stint in Yarrawonga and why this town holds a special place in his heart.
“Coming back and seeing old faces has been great,” Fevola said.
“I haven’t played for 12 years, it's been a long time; it brings that wholesome country lifestyle back.”
He famously lived in Yarrawonga from 2012 until 2015 and played for the Pigeon’s after a 10-year career playing for Carlton and Brisbane.
The club had lost three grand finals to Albury and president at the time Glenn Brear decided enough was enough; it was time to call in the big guns.
The impact was immediate, with premiership glory coming in 2012 and 2013.
“One of my favourite memories was when the siren went in 2012 and we won the grand final against Albury,” Fevola said.
“I stopped and looked around to see the players that had played in three losing grand finals prior, and the relief on their faces; I'll never forget what that looked like.
“They're the memories that stick in your mind; those friendships I'll have forever.”
Fevola’s gambling addiction reportedly started in 2010 and peaked in 2013.
He turned his life around in Yarrawonga and credits the town and its footy club with enabling him to live a happier life.
Former AFL star Brendan Fevola helped the Yarrawona Pidgeons win two premierships and scored 366 goals in 65 games for the club.
Photo by
Simon Bingham
“Living in the AFL bubble is tough; it's all about appearances and sponsorships, you don't get to hang out with your mates as much as you'd like,” he said.
“Going to the shop to buy milk and bread, I'd be down there for an hour talking footy and I’d have chatted to 15 different people about the same thing.
“Coming here and no longer having that, I just became me again.
“It got my wife back, which was a good thing; she loves that I was here and the friendships I've forged in Yarrawonga.
“And my kids love coming here.”
Glenn Brear said signing Fevola was huge, and left an indelible mark on Yarrawonga, helping the club win two premierships and scoring 366 goals from 65 games with the Pigeons.
“There was nothing bigger at the time,” Glenn said.
“He came to the bush and we were grateful to have him.
“He’d visit the elderly, he never reneged on a photo, and he always promoted our club fully.
“To his credit, everything he did here, he did off his own back; he’s flying now.”
