AFL Great Mathew Stokes wondered if some players are too fast to enjoy the advantages of very paid elite football stars without having fun with the responsibilities that accompany it.
His comments arise as several high -level AFL players take an indefinite leave for “ personal problems ”, leaving their teammates to carry the charge – Stokes saying that the term is too often used as an excuse.
Carlton Elijah Hollands striker moved away from the match on March 11. The club said that he approached officials of weeks earlier to ask for support and that he would have had the time he needed to focus on his well-being.
The details of his leave remain private, but Carlton asked the public to respect his space.
The director general of the football club Brad Lloyd said: “We applaud Elijah for having the courage to come forward and ask for help, and we will continue to work with him to make sure he gets all the support he needs.
In a separate case, his compatriot Blue Harry McKay has also taken an indefinite leave since March 27, the club initially citing the disease before confirming that the case was linked to mental health.
Elijah Hollands illustrated while playing for Carlton before taking an indefinite leave to focus on her well-being
Fellow Blue Harry McKay returned via VFL after having moved away from AFL tasks in March
McKay returned via VFL, scoring two goals in the third quarter, but offering moderate performance overall.
Essendon Great Matthew Lloyd told Nine Classy Classy: “It would be frustrating for the fact that he could resolve to play VFL but not in Afl football.”
Fans were vocals online. Some players accused of hiding behind waves labels.
“Far too precious and too easy to pull the mental health card,” wrote one of them.
Others have defended them: “Do you even have an idea of” Ru Ok? “Campaign? Showing none of you never had any problems with mental health or relatives with mental health problems.
The Western Bulldog striker Jamarra Uggle-Hagan is another big name under the spotlight.
After taking a personal leave during the pre-season, he returned to training and put pressure for the selection. But senior club figures would like him to repair relationships with teammates and staff first.
Bulldog coach Luke Beverridge confirmed: “There is no guarantee that will occur in the short term”.
Jamarra UGLE-HAGAN (photo of last year in a match of last year) strives to repair his relationship with Western Bulldogs while the out-of-field problems prevent him from playing
Uggle-Hagan and her influencer girlfriend Olivia Kelly, represented in an NBL match, separated
Behind the scenes, the concerns have developed about Ugle-Hagan’s behavior towards the end of the 2023 season.
In the final of last year’s elimination, coach Beveridge almost removed him from the team a few hours before the rebound, the club leaders finally settled on a compromise that saw the young advantage start on the bench.
Despite these problems, UGLE-HAGAN signed a contract extension in May after a “reset” of the family, the reports estimating their salary this season at almost $ 900,000.
Some fans are uncomfortable as to the growing trend of well-paid stars which move away from mid-season.
Stokes maintains that this growing scheme deserves a more in -depth examination. He thinks that the expression “personal problems” is too often used as an excuse.
“A player who suffers from poor mental health should have the space to solve his problems,” said Stokes for age.
“But if a player’s behavior contributes to problems – for example, alcohol or drug addiction, bad training habits or preparation – should clubs make decisions that favor their interests on those of the individual?
Mathew Stokes criticized players who want the advantages of AFL’s life without accepting the responsibilities that go with
Stokes, a double premiere winner at Geelong, says that AFL players have to face consequences if the behavior has an impact on the performance of the team
He says clubs should have the right to hold these responsible players, rather than treating them in the same way as someone who is going through real difficulties.
“It makes me uncomfortable to see the expression” of personal problems “used as a tote … when the reasons for the absence of each individual are wide and varied,” he wrote.
The problem is not new. In 2022, Fischer Mcasey of Adélaïde, Zak Jones of St Kilda and the star of the AFLW Jess Wuetschner all moved from football for mental health reasons. Each case has encountered different degrees of public support and control.
There is no suggestion that players appointed in this article have been unjustified in taking leave.
Stokes’ comments are involved in the midst of gap reports in AFL’s illicit drug policy.
Independent deputy Andrew Wilkie recently told Parliament that clubs helped players dodge the game’s tests by encouraging them to make injury if they feared a positive result.
The former doctor of the Melbourne club, Dr. Zeeshan Arain, argued the statements, but the CEO of AFL, Andrew Dillon, rejected them as “wildly exaggerated” at a closed -door meeting with clubs.
He confirmed that the League’s drug policy would remain “based on health”, and not punitive, despite the increase in media pressure.
The former president of Collingwood, Eddie McGuire, wants a political overhaul where the players are named if they lack AFL games for reasons related to drugs.
Speaking on Classified Footy, he said: “We are innovating six weeks (outside the game) …” Lloyd Out; tendon. Joe blows; Drugs.
Essendon Great Matthew Lloyd questioned McKay’s ability to play VFL but not at AFL level
The former collingwood boss, Eddie McGuire, predicts more severe penalties for players in drug policy changes
Stokes says that the league must not forget the majority of players who appear quietly, train hard and carry the weight of waiting without a complaint.
“Let us not neglect those who appear and fight through pre-saisons and seasons without complaining,” he wrote.
“They assume the burden of performance … while the main story seems to be to show the greatest respect for a person living outside the ethics of the team who continues to be financially rewarded.”
“It doesn’t seem fair to me.
Stokes insists that AFL has made great progress to support the well-being of players. But he also thinks that it is time for difficult conversations on responsibility, especially when the integrity of teams, seasons and careers is at stake.
“Sometimes the consequences of certain behaviors should be supported by the individual rather than the club, teammates and supporters,” he said.