sport news AFL star Sam Fisher was 'broken and depressed by horror break-up' before being ... trends now

Friends of former St Kilda star Sam Fisher have revealed he was hit by a string of intense personal setbacks that left him broken and severely depressed before police charged him with drug trafficking.

The 39-year-old was charged with trafficking commercial quantities of illicit drugs after a raid on a Melbourne property last Wednesday morning that saw detectives allegedly seize methylamphetamine, 1,4-Butanediol and a Mercedes-Benz. 

Fisher opted not to appear when his case was mentioned in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, with his lawyer stating he had chosen to remain in custody, and the case has been adjourned until August 10.

Now friends of the former highly rated defender say a breakup with a former girlfriend combined with injuries from his playing days and a lack of job options put Fisher in a dark place prior to the bombshell from police.