Coaches under pressure

AFL coaches have identified mental health as a pressing concern after premiership coach Mick Malthouse described the issue as “gigantic”.

In an anonymous News Corp survey of senior and assistant coaches, more than three quarters considered mental health to be an issue among AFL coaches.

The findings in the preseason poll – distributed to all 18 clubs – found 80 per cent of those who responded said mental health was a concern among the coaching group.

Malthouse said he was not surprised, saying the issue had become a growing concern with increased media spotlight and scrutiny.

“It’s a gigantic issue,” he said. “I am not surprised (by the survey results) and I am not surprised there will be added mental pressures to these coaches as time goes on.

“Every step of your life as a coach, the longer you stay in it, the higher those expectations become, so, therefore, more the mental strain if you like.

“Right now, (Geelong coach) Chris Scott, once out of the eight in his full career and yet there is pressure on him and (West Coast coach Adam) Simpson won a premiership two or three years ago and there is pressure on him.

“Certainly the media, social media I try to avoid, but I think most coaches have social media because the clubs want them to have social media, so they get that left and right.

“Coaches now tread a bit more warily. They get it inside, top-end at the board, supporters and media. They are constantly under scrutiny.”

Asked if the media was too invasive, almost 62 per cent of respondents answered yes, but Malthouse said that was “not going to change”.

The former West Coast, Collingwood and Carlton coach said scrutiny on coaches also impacted their families.

“In fact, it’s probably only going to get worse,” he said. “The thing that probably irks a lot of these people is that it’s forgotten the next day. They don’t realise the damage that they do.

“It mounts up on those who have families … once you learn it, you take with you the added pressure of what effect this is having on your family.”

Asked what was the biggest issue facing the game, coaches said losing good coaches from the game, soft cap reductions, the overworking of football department staff and football staff leaving due to cost cuts were all concerns.

Malthouse said demands on coaches to fulfil commitments outside of the coaching box added pressure. He said having the support of a “very good” football manager and speaking up to seek help was critical.

“There is a lot less coaching during the week and a lot more club activity,” he said.

“I reckon clubs could sit down and analyse what is the most effective way to have their coach coach the way he wants to coach and rid himself of things they don’t necessarily need him to be doing.

“We all think we are the big boys and don’t need it (help). Some say they do and get it, but it’s such a small minority.”

The coaches’ concern extended to the impact of online trolls and social media abuse on their players.

Asked if the impact of social media trolling on their players was an increasing concern, 90.4 per cent of coaches answered, yes.