Megan Gale frustrated by fans who say AFL players have it easy

Megan Gale is frustrated with fans who say AFL players “have got it good” and claims the partners deserve more respect for playing nurse, therapist and “all the other roles you commit to when you’re the partner of an athlete”.

Megan Gale is frustrated by footy fans who say the players have it easy.

Megan Gale says footy players need more support and the role of their partners is underestimated.

Gale, the fiance of former Carlton and Richmond ruckman Shaun Hampson, said she had seen first hand the toll of pressure and expectation.

A guest speaker at the AFL Women’s Industry Lunch at Crown, Gale welcomed the push for more psychological support.

“This term WAG gets bandied about so frivolously,’’ she said.

“But it can’t be underestimated the amount of support that partners give.

Megan Gale at the Women's Industry Lunch. Picture: AFL

“Sometimes you’re the nurse, you’re a therapist. There’s all these other levels you commit to when you’re the partner of an athlete. Richmond were very inclusive and some (clubs) don’t include the partners enough.

“I have seen and heard where the partners are pushed off to the side and it’s just the boys. It happens too much. That’s an area I’d love to see more support of in this industry.”

In her wide ranging interview with host Sarah Abo, Gale touched on subjects including miscarriage, giving birth, raising children, modelling, acting and her new lifestyle business, Mindful Life.

She said it was frustrating to hear people say AFL life is easy.

“It’s such a tough industry,’’ she said.

“I’ve always been a fan of the AFL but seeing it as a fan and then being the partner of a player are two very different things. It does irritate me when I hear supporters going on about, ‘oh AFL players they’ve got it good and they just get wrapped in cotton wool, they get paid well to do a job’.

“They have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. For everyone who works in the industry, it’s a very high pressure industry. More support from a psychological perspective for players I think they’re working on and I’m so thrilled to hear it because it needs to be there for men and women in the sport now.”

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