The impact of the drought contributed to the suicide of former Geelong and St Kilda VFL player Jeff Fehring, his family says.

Fehring, who played 36 games for Geelong and St Kilda in the 1970s and 80s, died last week. He was 53.

He had been farming near the NSW Riverina town of Hay, a Geelong spokesman said.

"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," Geelong said in a statement.

"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."

It is believed Fehring had left letters and goodbye messages for his four children.

Victorian Nationals MP and former Geelong player Damian Drum said Fehring was an "enormously popular" man whose suicide emphasised the desperate situation in the bush and the need for men to share their problems.

"He really was a gentle giant," Mr Drum told AAP.

"The entire Geelong Football Club is just shocked and devastated to hear of his passing and I think it just goes as a further reminder that life is not easy in regional Australia and for God's sake, middle aged men have to learn to talk to their mates about their problems."

Mr Drum said while he did not play at the club at the same time as Fehring, many of his close friends did.

"I used to actually go out and see Jeff at his farm, and his business, I had a bit to do with him and a lot of my friends know him quite well," he said.

He believed Fehring was suffering financial problems at the time of his death.

Victorian Farmers' Federation (VFF) president Simon Ramsay says the drought is causing "significant stress" on farming families.

"Suicide is a very sad aspect of the drought," Mr Ramsay said.

"The drought's having an impact on the social aspects of communities as well as the farming aspects.

"Some people slip through the radar. The important thing in this is to support and watch over neighbours and offer them any support you can."

The VFF was working with depression help group beyondblue and social agencies to ensure farmers were not alone, Mr Ramsay said.

A giant ruckman, Fehring played 19 games for Geelong from 1977 to 1979 before transferring to St Kilda, for whom he played 17 games over two seasons.

He is best remembered for his mammoth goal for St Kilda in 1981, which flew around 86 metres from behind the centre circle at Moorabbin. The goal is regarded as one of the longest in the game's history.

Geelong football manager Neil Balme, who coached Fehring in Norwood's 1982 SANFL premiership side, remembered him as a "great mate".

"I coached him for two years at Norwood and he was just a terrific fellow, a great mate," Mr Balme said.

"He was always a good member of the football club, a good person to have around."

* Readers seeking information on dealing with depression, anxiety and related drug and alcohol problems can visit www.beyondblue.org.au or call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636 (local call).

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP