Boyd: AFL Needs Mental Health Round

0:00Tom Boyd, the former AFL No. 1 draft pick who retired at 23 to tackle his own mental health battles, is speaking out after the Elijah. Holland's incident with Carlton, he warns that plenty of players are battling serious issues under the surface in the high-pressure world of pro-footie. Boyd draws from his experience, saying the lead up to big games ramps up the stress, making it tough for coaches and staff to spot problems or bench A, player who's off. I think 80,000 fans at the NCG for a calling wood Carlton clash. Nobody wants to risk pulling someone right before kickoff. Fans and the league are reacting with scrutiny on Carlton, who got a please explain from the AFL, but Boyd pushes for a bigger picture. He stresses, these aren't isolated blow-ups, but bill from years of sleep issues, poor prep, and constant fear of letting the team down. He's not calling for game day mental health checks, which would be tricky, but backs a dedicated mental health round in the season. That could celebrate progress, spotlight positive impacts, and push clubs to keep improving

1:04support over the year. Boyd's message hits, home-pure intentions drive the game, but addressing these hidden struggles could change lives across the AFL for good. I'm Corey with The Story, and you've been listening to Sydney News today, AI-powered local news.