Freo action plan praise
PLAYERS’ union boss Paul Marsh has hailed Fremantle’s handling of the Jesse Hogan controversy, saying coach Ross Lyon should be lauded for his sensitivity about his player’s mental health.
The Dockers were lampooned for their use of the non-existent expression “clinical anxiety” after Hogan missed Round 1 when he turned up to training after a Saturday drinking session.
It came with widespread cynicism over Hogan’s behaviour and links to anxiety after a summer in which he was often seen out partying.
But as the league and player union work towards a significant boost in funding for industry mental health, Marsh said Fremantle should be commended for their stance. Fremantle is one of a majority of clubs that have had a full-day mental health seminar run by the AFL to educate clubs about care for their players.
“They got the terminology wrong. They are not experts but they have embraced trying to understand a very complex issue and it’s having a positive impact on their environment and their players,” Marsh said.
“To think you could get coaches to invest in eight hours to go through a program with a busy football department has not been easy.
“And for Ross and Fremantle to embrace it the way they have because they wanted to create a better environment for their people and players should be celebrated.
“The negativity around their statement was pretty ordinary. They genuinely went through the program we ran. It has had a genuine impact on Ross. He’s actually talking about it and should be celebrated.”
Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said yesterday the Dockers now had a fulltime psychologist as the club navigated the complexities of mental health management.
“We were keen to be proactive and ensure that it wasn’t just players and support staff involved in the AFLPA training but also key members of the executive and the senior coach. It was insightful and helps our understanding in this space,” Rosich said.
“In elite sport and the modern workplace there is no doubt mental health is more prominent on the radar ... and we were keen to grow our understanding.”