The Grand Justin Koschitzke of St Kilda revealed that the overwhelming effects of the way in which several injuries by concussion and the fight against his mental health led him to secretly hope that his team would often lose matches.
The 42 -year -old has enjoyed a sparkling career in AFL, joining the saints alongside his good friend Nick Riewoldt as choices of one and two Swoop in the 2000 national draft.
The striker born in New South Wales, who would also play as a marginard for the Victorian outfit, would continue to score 247 goals on 200 appearances or at Club Footy before hanging up his boots in 2013.
Koschitzke was opened on his difficulties with concussion and mental health after his retirement, after having declared in 2022 to 3aw that he does not remember several AFL games in which he played.
This week, the 42 -year -old has again thought about his career and revealed to Hamish McLachlan on the 7 -filtered channel 7, that there were opportunities when he hoped that his team would lose games.
“It was here at the MCG, it was an elimination final that year against Melbourne,” he told the legendary broadcaster, during an episode of the program which should be broadcast on Wednesday.
St Kilda Great Justin Koschitzke (photo) opened up to how the overwhelming effects of the concussion and the fight against mental health made him hope that his team would lose
The 42 -year -old man (right) has had a sparkling career in AFL, joining the saints alongside his good friend Nick Riewoldt (left) as one and two Swoop choice in the 2000 national draft
Koschitzke would continue to undergo several favorites in his career, including a fractured skull in 2006
“Melbourne scored three or four goals in the third quarter or at the end of the fourth.
“Internally, I was the happiest person in this stadium, or everywhere in Australia, that Melbourne was going to win and I did not have to play next week.
“Twenty years ago, this is the first time that I have been public. It has become the two worst hours of the week.
“Then the shame you wear with that. I have the best job in the world and you try to convince yourself (you do).
After joining the saints in 2000, Koschitzke was going to be crowned the rising star of the AFL in 2001, but the following season, he underwent an injury to the hamstrings who tormented him for the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
During the 2006 season, he underwent a devastating fractured skull during the victory of his round six against the Western Bulldogs. He was then excluded for a large part of the season, having had trouble keeping a hearing in one of his ears.
Speaking in the sets of the agenda, Riewoldt also talked about the mental health problems of his companion, but added that the former footy star was in a “much better place”.
“I am aware of the difficulties of Kosi, we are still very good friends,” Riewoldt told the agenda.
The striker, who made 200 AFL appearances for the saints said there were times when he hoped that his team would lose games, adding that they would be the “worst two hours of the week”
Riewoldt (left), however, added that his friend, Koschitzke (right), “ was in a much better place now ”, but said that the soccer field “had just become a really dangerous place” for his teammate
“It will be a really confronted watch for people. Kosi is in a much better place now. But in reference to that, the football field had just become a really dangerous place for Kosi at the back of the heads and concussions and things like that.
“It just shows that you never know what’s going on in the minds of some of the people you think you know very well, including some of your teammates.”
After having undergone several head injuries during his career, Koschitzke opened in 2022 on how his mental health was, several years after retired from sport.
“There are several games that I do not remember having finished the match or going home and it’s just ridiculous when you think about it,” he said on the 3AW podcast footy.
He added: ‘(my) mental health goes up and down, there is a loss of memory, there are mood swings, there are all kinds of things.
“And I’m sure there are many other players who feel the same.
“It’s just a management thing, knowing how to work there and navigating in many things.”
If you or someone you know with depression or anxiety, call beyond blue at 1300 22,4636 24 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and advice.
Call the supporter of the crisis on 13 11 14 (24 hours a day)
Text Lifeline at 0477 13 11 14 (6 p.m. – midnight, 7 nights)
Online cat on www.lifeline.org.au (7 p.m. – midnight, 7 nights)
