Wayne Schwass says Alex Fasolo will have a sense of freedom after depression admission

WAYNE Schwass backs Alex Fasolo’s return and believes his admission will be “liberating” ahead of a huge Queen’s Birthday clash against Melbourne.

Alex Fasolo in action for the Magpies. Picture: Getty Images

MENTAL health campaigner Wayne Schwass says Alex Fasolo will be liberated by his brave admission of depression as he returns to football on Monday.

He said on Sunday the Collingwood forward would receive a thunderous reception after his courage in coming forward with his ongoing battle with mental health.

With Jamie Elliott missing with an ankle injury Fasolo will play a key role in a Collingwood forward line that continues to struggle with inaccuracy.

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The silky forward put his hand up to play on Monday after a week off and Schwass told the Herald Sun he was thrilled Fasolo was ready.

“The supporters will universally admire and applaud the fact Alex is back after such a short time out,’’ he said.

Alex Fasolo will return for Collingwood on Monday. Picture: AAP Images

“The fact this is now in the public domain, we can safely assume that this has taken a tremendous amount of pressure off the shoulders of Alex.

“He’s able to go into the game now not having to hide this illness he has been dealing with, not having to worry about what the response will be from his club and supporters.

“I am not saying he’s over it, but he has an element of freedom he didn’t have two weeks ago and that’s really important.”

Schwass and fellow depression sufferer Nathan Thompson paved the way for public admission of mental health battles with their groundbreaking admissions over the years.

Only on Sunday, Thompson said he felt “bankrupt as a person” until a breakdown in front of coach Peter Schwab in the mid-2000s saw him seeking professional help.

“When you are hiding it, so much pressure goes into hiding it,” Kangaroos and Sydney champion Schwass said.

“It’s out now and that’s a liberating feeling for Alex and anyone who is in this position, we now know what he’s been dealing with.

“He has the time to deal with it and a level of freedom that up until two weeks ago would have been suffocating him because of the fear of what people would think.”

Melbourne captain Jack Viney said the Demons were perfectly primed and rested after a 16-day break since their win over Gold Coast.

Alex Fasolo will return for Collingwood on Monday. Picture: AAP Images

Christian Salem returns from suspension replacing Josh Wagner, with talls Jake Spencer and Jesse Hogan only a week away from senior selection.

Schwass said the crowd could look forward to one of the great Queen’s Birthday contests given Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze raising money for motor neurone disease research.

“With Alex’s return and what he’s dealing with there will be universal respect but also with Neale Daniher it’s the perfect platform to get behind Neale’s work.”

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