Footy legend Nick Riewoldt believes the AFL is already catering for too many causes as calls increase for the introduction of a Mental Health Round – and many fans couldn’t agree more.
Speaking on Channel Seven‘s The Agenda Setters on Wednesday night, the St Kilda great first acknowledged the passion of Geelong star Bailey Smith in relation to the mental health space before stating he feels at times the code suffers from ’cause clutter.’
‘We already have many themed rounds, be it Pride Round, ANZAC Day or the Big Freeze,’ Riewoldt began.
‘As we know, many are run by clubs, not the AFL itself. Ultimately, it is a question of impact… what is the most important cause?
‘(If introduced) we need to weave it (Mental Health Round) into the fabric of the game.’
Footy supporters went online to back Riewoldt’s take on the matter.
Footy legend Nick Riewoldt believes the AFL is already catering for too many causes as calls increase for the introduction of a Mental Health Round
Riewoldt acknowledged Bailey Smith’s passion in relation to the mental health space, before stating he feels at times the code suffers from a ’cause clutter’
‘We don’t need a ‘game’… we need genuine action and a sincere message that indicates clubs care about the welfare of players,’ one supporter posted in response on X.
‘Having a Mental Health Round would be a great way to actually acknowledge and raise awareness,’ felt another.
‘The more you can put mental health on the agenda, the better,’ offered a third.
It follows Smith labelling the AFL ‘clowns’ after the league reportedly rejected his suggestion of a Mental Health Round.
The Cats midfielder – who has endured his own personal demons since his 2019 debut – led the calls with a raw post-match interview on Channel Seven following his side’s round-six win against the Western Bulldogs.
The footage went viral, with wide support in the wake of the death of Jaryd Dawson – the brother of Adelaide Crows captain Jordan Dawson – followed by Carlton young gun Elijah Hollands’ on-field mental health episode.
‘I don’t know if I’m out of pocket saying it, but I think it’s about time the AFL gets a men’s mental health round,’ Smith said.
‘It just made me feel sick during the week… and hopefully the AFL community wraps their arms around them and we can do something.’
Fans were stunned after Carlton star Elijah Hollands suffered an on-field mental health episode against Collingwood on April 16
The recent tragedy involving Jordan Dawson’s brother (pictured second from left with Jordan, second from right) intensified calls for greater awareness and formal mental health initiatives league-wide
Smith also referenced the ruthless environment within the game and urged players and supporters to remain aware of those around them who could be struggling.
‘I think the footy world can be quite toxic at times, and it is (also) good at putting our arms around the people who need it most, when we need to,’ he said.
‘Speak to your mates, and put your arm around your loved ones – you never know who might need it.’
Despite Smith’s plea, the league isn’t tipped to add a Mental Health Round to the footy calendar.
‘I think the AFL hears that (Smith’s request) but I don’t think there’s going to be one anytime soon,’ reporter Tom Morris said this week.
‘They’d prefer to do things like Spud’s Game (AFL great Danny Frawley)… they had a mental health forum in Adelaide (during Gather Round) – but it’s not going to stop players like Bailey Smith pushing for it.’
Spud’s Game is an annual match held by St Kilda in tribute to club great Frawley, who took his own life in 2019.
The match is used to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives.
Ex-AFL star turned mental health advocate Tom Boyd is on the same page as Smith, revealing high-pressure sporting environments result in players struggling with mental health issues ‘under the surface’.
Former AFL star turned mental health advocate Tom Boyd (pictured) says high-pressure sporting environments result in players struggling with mental health issues ‘under the surface’
The tragic death of St Kilda legend Danny Frawley (pictured) led to the creation of the annual Spud’s Game, which raises funds and awareness for mental health initiatives
Boyd, a former number one draft pick who retired from the sport at 23 due to struggles with his own mental health, also had a message for Hollands – use your inner circle.
‘I think it’s important to remember the magnitude of the suffocating nature of what’s going on at the moment,’ Boyd told the ABC Sport Daily podcast.
‘This is a position that I personally have been in, when you don’t feel like you can leave the house. You don’t feel like you can have a conversation with anyone.
‘You have a very small number of trusted people you feel like you can rely on and feel like they support you.
‘I think it’s critically important to remember the sheer magnitude of what this conversation means, not only for Elijah’s life, but for the people close to him.
‘We need to be talking about mental health as a topic… not spending time talking about the person or the club.’
