‘Traitor’ Thomas recalls torment

DALE Thomas’ move from Collingwood to Carlton was one of the most controversial in recent memory.

A hero in the Magpies’ drought-breaking 2010 premiership, his shock switch to their arch-rival at the end of 2013 to reunite with former coach Mick Malthouse was seen as the ultimate betrayal by Collingwood fans.

Combined with the fact Thomas accepted big money from the Blues when free agency in the AFL had only just been introduced, the then 26-year-old was under intense pressure to deliver at his new club.

In a video for headspace, the utility has spoken about the toll injuries had on his mental health while trying to make a success of his highlypublicised transfer.

“My second year (at Carlton) in the first minute of the first game, I dislocated my shoulder and my season was done,” Thomas, 31, said.

“In terms of trying to start fresh at a new club and make an impact, escape a bit of that media scrutiny and then have it all heaped on you again. “Four days later, I had the birth of my first child so it was a bit of the yin and yang on life in a week.

“Looking back now I probably wish I had’ve delved a bit deeper into coping with the injury first and then the excitement of being a first-time dad.

“For too long I took the weight of the world on my shoulders in terms of not reaching out to people about what was actually affecting me.”

He is part of a headspace campaign to help young men stay on top of their mental health.