Ken Hinkley says Port Adelaide has Matthew Broadbent’s back as he faces mental health battle
Coach Ken Hinkley says Port Adelaide is equipped to deal with mental health issues affecting Matthew Broadbent, with Hamish Hartlett replacing him in the side to face Fremantle.
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Port Adelaide is closing ranks around Matthew Broadbent as AFL’s mental health toll rises.
Broadbent has stepped out of football, with returning warrior Hamish Hartlett called up for Saturday’s clash with Fremantle in Perth.
The Power, notes coach Ken Hinkley, take on the Dockers in a game of “massive” strategic importance but privately concerned for the welfare of Broadbent who has taken indefinite leave.
Broadbent had played four successive games having been sidelined for almost two years with knee and ankle injuries meaning his absence has stunned the football community.
“Brogsy has done some really great work over the past two years, dealt with a fair bit and is back playing football but is a still a challenge for him,” said Hinkley of 165-game veteran Broadbent.
“We will give him the time and space he needs, respect that privacy and look after him.
“Matty has been brave enough to talk about some of his issues and we understand them. We all understand the challenges of mental health. It doesn’t discriminate, there is no right or wrong time to have those moments.”
Four-time St Kilda club champion Jack Steven has resumed training after a six week break to deal with a mental health issue.
AFL stars today battle scourges including unrelenting social media predators, gambling, performance pressure and debilitating injury which can trigger depressive episodes.
Hinkley notes the role of mental health expert wasn’t in the job description when he first started AFL coaching seven years ago but has become better at ‘picking up’ on signs.
“It is one of the biggest things that I have dealt with that I perhaps didn’t anticipate seven years ago. It has got bigger and more challenging,” revealed Hinkley.
“You know your players really well and their history. All the players on the list, we have a great understanding of their struggles, good times and bad times. Good, connected football clubs do understand a lot about their people.
“We understand that some of the issues that are forced on players come from outside the football and much harder for us to control and handle. The world of social media and media and everything else that goes on it is scrutinised within an inch of their lives.
“There are other things that go on in your life that are not football related.”
Hamish Hartlett will play his first game in 15 months at OPTUS Stadium, a positive contrasting with the cloud over Broadbent. A knee reconstruction side lined Hartlett for a year while a hamstring delayed the vice-captain’s return this season.
“We are so pleased to see Hamish Hartlett back in the side. He has had some setbacks but we just love the way he goes about it. He plays football the way it should be played,” said Hinkley.
“He is vice-captain and such an important bloke in this club. He plays football the way we all love to watch it being played. He is hard, aggressive with the ball. We don’t expect massive things from him first up we just want him to be a good, consistent member of our back six.
“He has had some frustrations, would be nervous but ready.”
Port can give Fremantle the slip in the top eight with victory given the sides share a 6-5 win-loss record.
“It makes it a big game but the whole competition is like that. Every game we are involved with is a massive game because it means so much,” said Hinkley.
Port’s Round 5 triumph against West Coast adds a layer of self belief entering Saturday’s clash.
“It doesn’t hurt to know we went over there and played our best game of the season, potentially. We played at a level that can beat good sides,” said Hinkley.
Robbie Gray can expect more midfield time until Tom Rockliff (hamstring) and Ollie Wines return while Brad Ebert (concussion) is available for the SANFL Magpies this week.
Fremantle made three changes to its team to face the Power with midfielder Stephen Hill returning from injury, Sean Darcy replacing the injured Rory Lobb in the ruck and tall defender Griffin Logue replacing Alex Pearce.
FREMANTLE v PORT ADELAIDE
Saturday June 15, 4:05pm at Optus Stadium
DOCKERS
B: Hamling, Wilson, Ryan
HB: Blakely, Hughes, Duman
C: B. Hill, Fyfe, Langdon
HF: Brayshaw, Cox, Walters
F: Conca, Hogan, Matera
FOLL: Darcy, Tucker, Mundy
I/C: Logue, Bewley, Switkowski, S. Hill
EMG: Banfield, Crowden, McCarthy, Meek
IN: Darcy, Logue, S. Hill
OUT: Pearce, Lobb, Cerra
POWER
B: Burton, Clurey, Houston
HB: Hartlett, Jonas, Byrne-Jones
C: Duursma, R. Gray, Amon
HF: Westhoff, Howard, Motlop
F: S. Gray, Ryder, Rozee
FOLL: Lycett, Powell-Pepper, Boak
I/C: Bonner, Lienert, Farrell, Butters
EMG: Drew, Wines, Ladhams, Garner
IN: Hartlett
OUT: Broadbent
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