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On Monday night’s episode of Open Mike, Mike Sheahan conducted one of the greatest interviews I have ever seen.
Mark Eustice was Sheahan’s guest, and his addictions to cocaine, alcohol and other drugs were outlined throughout the interview. But the real issue was Eustice’s depression and pain.
Breaking down at various times, Eustice was brutally honest, allowing viewers into his darker days and his own diary entries, showing the pain and mental torture he went through.
It was compelling, breathtaking and incredible.
The AFL is a brutal, patriarchal world. Players are constantly ridiculed for their play, their courage and made to be scapegoats for their team.
Mitch Clark is an obvious example of the painfully difficult world of AFL.
His breakdown after Geelong’s 41-point win over Collingwood was met with confusion and misunderstanding. Chris Scott’s handling of the situation was superb, but it was a ghastly reminder of the horrors of depression, and illustrates how it can affect anyone.
Depression is not something understood within the football community. All too often commentators and fans alike call for players to run back into packs, putting their welfare on the line for the sake of taking a mark.
If they pull out of running back into another player’s knee, or refuse to put themselves in the position of becoming concussed, then they are labeled weak and cowardly.
Only a week before Tom Lonergan nearly lost his life after backing into a pack against Melbourne in 2006, a teammate of his was criticised for pulling out of a dangerous marking contest.
It is this same macho approach that has led to the misunderstanding of depression. It is not a common illness in football, and it is almost taboo for players to come out and say they suffer from it.
Clark has shown how understanding and compassion is necessary for players to cope in this cruel landscape.
Social media, however, does not allow for understanding or compassion. Players are constantly ridiculed for their play, and baited, abused and threatened during their everyday life.
It is those players who have come under incredible scrutiny, such as Melbourne’s Jack Watts, who are most likely to suffer from the pangs of mental illness.
Watts has been in the AFL limelight since his untimely debut as a gangly 18-year-old, and has been criticised ever since. He has been abused, threatened and mistreated by Melbourne and AFL supporters alike.
If he has not had his dark days, days where he wishes he was not playing AFL football and was just an ordinary bloke, working elsewhere, then his resilience is inhuman.
Social media provides the anonymity for the community to get away with abuse, and allows people to be as cruel as they like. It is not uncommon for threats, bullying and even death threats to occur.
There has been talk of players committing suicide in time if this worsens, and this bullying needs to stop.
Eustice’s interview was one for the ages. It outlined his hardships during his time of depression. What got him through was admitting he had the illness, and having people around to help.
Players must have the community around them to support them and help them, and they must be willing to admit their depression and seek help.
Mitch Clark has led the way for those with mental illness. He is exactly what AFL football needs, and show to everyone out there that depression is nothing to be fearful of.
Follow Dylan on Twitter @dylcarmody77
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