Rex Hunt: AFL Hard Man Turned Fishing Legend

Few Australian personalities have lived quite like Rex Hunt — a rough-and-tumble AFL enforcer who traded footy boots for a fishing rod and became a television legend. Now 75, the man behind the booming catchphrase “He’s a big boy!” is facing his toughest opponent yet: a dementia diagnosis confirmed in late 2023.

Born: 7 March 1949 ·
Age: 75 (as of 2024) ·
VFL/AFL career: 1968–1978 ·
Fishing show: Rex Hunt Fishing Adventures ·
Diagnosed with dementia: 2023

Seven facts define the man, from Melbourne birth to the fishing show that made him a household name.

The pattern: every era of his public life — footy, fishing, broadcasts — has been marked by outsized energy. That same energy is now being met with a quiet, familial resolve.

What has happened to Rex Hunt?

Is Rex Hunt ill?

• Rex Hunt was reported to have been diagnosed with dementia in December 2023 by Australian media, with his wife Lynne confirming the news (The West Australian).
• The family said it was dealing with the diagnosis together and providing him love and support (The West Australian).

AFL great and fishing legend Rex Hunt diagnosed with dementia

• He retired from broadcasting in 2022 (The West Australian).
• He is known for his AFL career and fishing personality (Saxton).
• Earlier in 2023, Hunt had checked himself into a Melbourne clinic for mental-health treatment (The West Australian).
• A separate July 2023 report said he had been admitted to an institution amid another decline in mental health, battling bipolar depression (7NEWS).

The implication: Hunt’s family is now the anchor, providing care while the public holds space for a once-untouchable personality.

When did Rex Hunt retire?

Retirement from broadcasting

• He retired from AFL commentary in 2022 (The West Australian).
• His fishing radio show, which started on 3DB in 1982, continued on 3AW and through AFL Live until December 2016 (Saxton).

End of AFL career

• His playing career ended in 1978 after 202 games across three clubs (The West Australian).

The catch: retirement for Hunt wasn’t a single moment — his playing days ended in the 1970s, his radio show in 2016, and his TV commentary in 2022. Each door closed gradually, but the public always saw him as active.

What team did Rex Hunt play for?

AFL clubs

• He played for Richmond (1968–1971), St Kilda (1972–1974) and Geelong (1975–1978) (The West Australian).

Playing career

• He made his debut in 1968 at age 19 (Wikipedia).
• He played 202 games in total (The West Australian).

Why this matters: Hunt’s footy career is often remembered as shorter than it was — 10 years and three clubs shows a journeyman toughness that would later define his fishing-show persona.

What is Rex Hunt’s catchphrase?

Famous sayings

• His catchphrase is “He’s a big boy!” — delivered whenever a large fish was hooked (YouTube – Rex Hunt Fishing).
• He often uses colorful language during fishing commentary, blending excitement with Australian idioms (Saxton).

What are some famous sayings by Rex Hunt?

• Beyond “He’s a big boy!”, Hunt was known for exclamations like “Look at the size of that!” and “Beauty!” (YouTube – Rex Hunt Fishing).

The pattern: Hunt’s catchphrase isn’t just a line — it’s a window into a personality built on big reactions. That same emotional throttle may have made his later health struggles harder to spot.

Who is Rex Hunt’s son?

Rex Hunt’s children

• Rex Hunt has a son who is also a fishing enthusiast, though his name is not widely publicized (Starts at 60).

Family life

• His wife Lynne (referred to as Lydia in some reports) has been the primary source of health updates (The West Australian) (Starts at 60).

What this means: Hunt’s family has chosen privacy around his son, likely to shield him from the spotlight. The naming discrepancy (Lynne vs Lydia) across outlets suggests the family’s preference for discretion.

Timeline of Rex Hunt’s life

The timeline signal: Hunt’s public life traces a clear arc from athlete to broadcaster to health advocate — but the speed of the final medical events (both depression and dementia in one year) has caught fans off guard.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Rex Hunt was born on 7 March 1949 (Wikipedia)
• He played for Richmond, St Kilda and Geelong in the VFL/AFL (The West Australian)
• He hosted Rex Hunt Fishing Adventures (Saxton)
• He was diagnosed with dementia in 2023 (The West Australian)

What’s unclear

• Exact date of his retirement from broadcasting (reported as 2022, but no precise month)
• Details of his son’s public life and full name

Quotes from Rex Hunt and his family

“He’s a big boy!”

— Rex Hunt, fishing commentary (YouTube – Rex Hunt Fishing)

“The family is dealing with the diagnosis together and providing him love and support.”

— Lynne Hunt, wife of Rex Hunt (The West Australian)

What this means for Rex Hunt’s legacy

Rex Hunt leaves behind a dual legacy — one of unbridled enthusiasm on the footy field and the fishing boat, and another of a private man quietly battling cognitive decline. For Australian fans who grew up with “He’s a big boy!” ringing in their ears, the health update is a sobering reminder that even the loudest personalities face soft struggles. For his family, the choice is clear: privacy and care, or public awareness. They have chosen both, but on their terms.

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