The AFL has been urged to introduce a mental health-themed round, as the football world continues to reel after the death of former West Coast premiership player Adam Selwood.
Selwood, 41, died suddenly on Saturday, and is the second heartbreaking loss for the Selwood family after one of football’s most famous families also lost Adam’s twin brother, Troy, in February.
Adam Selwood at Eagles training in 2012.Credit: Getty Images
Geelong great Cameron Ling, who played alongside Joel and Scott Selwood, said the football world was still in shock at Adam’s death.
“I’m absolutely heartbroken like so many people who know that wonderful family, that beautiful, beautiful people that they are,” Ling told ABC Sport.
“Our love and support are there for them whenever they need it. But, I just, I can’t imagine how tough it would be for them. They’d be going through so much pain right now.”
The brothers’ deaths have added to calls for the AFL to shine a greater spotlight on mental health, which could come through a dedicated round of matches.
Wayne Schwass, the 1996 North Melbourne premiership player who now runs PukaUp, which aims to raise awareness of mental illness, said it was time for the AFL to take the lead elevate the societal issue as it had done with racism through the Sir Doug Nicholls round.
“This is not only an industry issue, it’s a societal issue, and I have been a believer or proponent for a long time in this,” Schwass said on Sunday.
“Have a look at the advancements we have made in the AFL and the community with regards to racial vilification. We have educated ourselves, we have educated the community, we have educated the industry. We now have a better appreciation of the impact of that, and we have changed behaviour.
“So, why can’t we do something with mental health, and not just males’ mental health, but the mental health of everybody?”
AFL spokesman Jay Allen said the league understood the reasons for a mental health round, and pointed to the annual “Spud’s Game”, in honour of late St Kilda great Danny Frawley, as helping to raise public awareness.
Schwass, who has raised mental health issues in the AFL since 2006, suggested that could be expanded to encompass an entire round.
St Kilda, Carlton and the umpires link arms before Spud’s Game earlier this season.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The AFL Players Association told this masthead it also supported the idea of a themed round.
While conceding more could be done, the AFL, in a statement, detailed its overall mental health strategy, which includes a committee of mental health experts and representation from AFL clubs.
The league employs 37 people to provide support to talent pathways players, and a team of practitioners dealing with the root causes of mental health and responding to issues across the competition.
Every club must employ its own psychologist, while there are soft-cap concessions for mental health spend. There is also an AFL-funded Indigenous psychologists network for culturally informed mental healthcare for First Nations players.
Former Hawthorn president and BeyondBlue’s founding chairman, Jeff Kennett, said it was clear the AFL had made strides in improving how mental health is discussed and treated.
“I don’t think this is a moment when those of us who know quite a bit about the subject of mental health and suicide … and have worked in the AFL would be blaming the AFL, quite the opposite,” Kennett said.
He said the focus should be on clubs supporting current and former players and staff and that clubs should have a medical doctor on their board.
“[Board members] who are doctors can not only continue to work with the club doctors, but also ensure that the protocols are being exercised,” Kennett said.
“Doctors can also bring to the board information that it would not normally have … just as a board should have an accountant, and it should have a lawyer to represent issues of good governance.”
Schwass said he had approached former senior executives of the AFL about a mental health themed round on several occasions, only to be told: “[There are] too many themed rounds”.
“I am not sure why, or the reluctance of the AFL, but what I am sure of, is one loss of life is too many,” Schwass said, adding there was “an opportunity for the AFL to be a voice of change”.
“But it takes courageous leadership. I would urge the AFL, the leaders, to see this as an opportunity to honour the lives lost … but proactively begin to change attitudes, perceptions and abolish stigma. There is an enormous opportunity here if they are willing to be brave and bold,” Schwass said.
“We need to be better. We don’t need to be the experts, I am not expecting them to be the experts, but the AFL needs to take a seat at this table.”
Mental health remains the No.1 issue impacting AFL players, according to their annual survey. Outgoing chief executive Paul Marsh last month said he took pride in the AFL’s advancement in the mental health space during his tenure, but there was more work to be done.
Schwass said past players were regularly approaching the players’ association for help.
“There is another reason why we should have a themed mental health round because it is the number one reason what the players are challenged with and are confronting,” Schwass said.
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. In the event of an emergency dial triple zero (000). Support is also available from MensLine on 1300 78 99 78.
