Ross Lyon: Jesse Hogan not suspended by Fremantle, seeking support for mental health issue

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has clarified Jesse Hogan’s absence for Sunday’s season opener, saying the star recruit had not been suspended by the club.

Ross Lyon says Jesse Hogan has not been suspended by Fremantle.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has clarified Jesse Hogan’s absence for Sunday’s season opener, saying the star recruit had not been suspended by the club.

The Dockers yesterday announced Hogan would not be available for selection as he manages clinical anxiety, which in turn led to him “making poor decisions around alcohol consumption” last Saturday night and caused him to miss a Sunday training session.

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But speaking exclusively on 7NEWS, Lyon said the club had not banned Hogan from playing.

“In regards to ‘suspended’ with Jesse, that’s not completely accurate,” he said.

“It’s a mental health issue and Jesse needs professional support to work through and get him back available for playing.”

Ross Lyon says Jesse Hogan has not been suspended by Fremantle.

When asked if Hogan had been ruled out purely out on medical grounds, Lyon said: “I think you’re trying to delineate between a mental health issue and some function that comes out of that.

“I’m certainly not in a position to elaborate, except to say he really needs support. We’re really confident as a club that we can give continued support for Jesse, and we really respect the mental health space.

“It’s foremost in AFL minds at the moment with all the pressures that these young men are under.

“Everyone sits on the continuum of mental health, and all of us go up and down that continuum.

“Some people have a disposition to that, and the pressure of AFL football can compound that and bring it out.”

Lyon also disputed the notion that Fremantle had made the wrong choice to recruit Hogan, given club president Dale Alcock’s earlier statement confirming they had been aware of the former Melbourne forward’s personal circumstances.

“There’s not one person who walks through the door without risk,” Lyon said.

“As a club we’re looking forward to supporting all of our people, including Jesse.”