AFL Fines Carlton $75k For Starting A Much Needed Conversation About Mental Health In The Game

WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet | CONTACT

The AFL has this week passed its judgement on the saga involving the Carlton Football Club and one of their players who experienced a recent mental health episode.

AFL house has issued the club with a $75,000 fine for not pulling Elijah Hollands from the team's match and allowing the game to be 'brought into disrepute.'

The lovely and sensitive language used by the AFL around a young man going through a very tough time in his life is part of AFL house's strong and historic policy of refusing to talk about the mental health of players unless subsequent poor behaviour 'brings the game in disrepute.'

Normally mental health is only something to be used by AFL clubs when someone self reports for or gets caught with illicit substances, or finds themselves on the other side of the law.

That's why, Carlton's recent highlighting of the complexities of mental health and varying ways in which it can effect anyone has drawn the ire of the big wigs at AFL house who like everything to be clean, sanitised and devoid of any personality other than the a well dressed bloke talking off the field talking about his golf score or going to the races.

"It's just caused us a lot of headaches," said a spokesperson for AFL house speaking to The Advocate on the condition of anonymity.

"Normally we prefer this stuff is just swept under the carpet and we only talking about physical health issues in the game."

"Now we've been forced to have a conversation about the importance of mental health and looking after our young men."

"Which is our definition of bringing the game into disrepute."

"Hence the fine."

More to come.