Being in the FL arrives with responsibilities, the players must accept the consequences

And while there are, managers must take into consideration the consequences of these decisions when they mapping the career of a player inside and off the pitch. Know your player and recommend them based on what is best for them in the long term.

In the most extreme cases that could mean time away from the game or choose another path in life that makes you happier and healthier. Being a professional AFL player can be difficult and a life that is not for everyone. There is no shame in admitting this.

The second component that makes me uncomfortable is when the players – and are in the minority – do not seem ready to make the necessary investments in their lives to prepare well and, consequently, become unreliable teammates.

This is not an easy subject to lift in an atmosphere in which we are all so aware of the need to give priority to individual well -being and we are rightly proud of the progress that the game has made in this sector.

But can we also have uncomfortable conversations on when the behavior and attitude of a player make them someone we need to support more than protect?

Loading

To be honest, it makes me uncomfortable to see the “personal problems” phrase used as a capture to explain the absence of a player from the game when the reasons for the absence of each individual are large and varied.

A player who suffers from bad mental health should be given space to solve their problems, with all the support that the AFL system can offer. This could cover a breakdown of relationships, anxiety, depression, a family or mourning disease.

But if a player’s behavior is contributing to issues – for example alcohol or substances, bad training or preparation habits – should the clubs be able to make decisions that give priority to their interests on those of the individual?

This is an uncomfortable question, but it must be addressed. I think clubs should be able to declare that players in the second category have lived up to the expectations of their contract.

Instead, the players of both categories are painted with the same brush. I feel that attention has become so weighted to support a minority of players who may have done the wrong thing that the silent majority that faces a lot of problems in their lives at various times are often forgotten.

We do not neglect those who present themselves and fight through pre-evening and seasons without complaints. They take on the burden of performance and answer questions and questions about their club and their team, while the main narrative seems to be to fight hard to show the utmost respect for someone who lives outside the team of the team that continues to be financially rewarded. The seasons could be affected and the career trajectories modified accordingly.

It doesn’t seem right to me.

The balance seems out of the head at the moment, with the clubs unable to do much even if a player is not doing much to help himself.

Loading

We should be proud of the progress we have made to give priority to the well -being of the players, emotionally and physically. Everyone in the game want people to be happy, healthy and flourishing in the AFL environment.

But there is also a reality that some parts of our game are simply difficult and will not change.

And while the support will always be there for people, sometimes the consequences for certain behaviors should be borne by the individual rather than by the club, teammates and supporters.

Mathew Stokes is a man from Larrakia who played 200 games with Geelong and being. He played in the 2007 and 2011 Premiership teams in Geelong.

Keep updated with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.