Iconic AFL commentator Rex Hunt has been urged to take a step back from public life to focus on his wellbeing after being admitted to a mental health facility again.
Hunt, who has been vocal about his mental health battle previously, entered a facility in Melbourne's southeast suburbs on Friday.
One of Hunt's close friends, former Geelong great Sam Newman, urged the 74-year-old to put himself first.
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"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.
"Rex should put on hold all his future engagements until he completes a rehabilitation course at the facility he has been admitted to.
"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."
Hunt was one of the most popular commentators in AFL history, having dominated the airwaves for 3AW through much of the 90s and 2000s.
Prior to his broadcasting career, Hunt played 202 games and kicked 276 goals, playing in two premierships with Richmond in 1969 and 1973.
Hunt spoke openly about his mental health in a podcast with Newman earlier this year, explaining how everything took a turn for the worse after he became addicted to pain killing opioids following neck surgery.
"I overdosed on opioids and went downhill very, very quickly," he said.
"I am completely off opioids (now). I am certainly on a couple of medications from my psychiatrist to try and level out my brain, but it is a big thing. It is a big thing in your life and it is a big thing to talk about.
"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."
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000
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