‘There are too many gaps’: FifthQtr Foundation working to help support past players

Footy legend Wayne Carey is supporting a push from Carlton premiership greats Ken Hunter and Mark ­Maclure to give past players a better quality of life.

Carlton premiership greats Ken Hunter and Mark ­Maclure, with support from footy legend Wayne Carey, are determined to help past players have a better quality of life.

Hunter established the FifthQtr Foundation three years ago and with renewed support and momentum is offering an independent avenue of help for players whose careers are over.

“There are too many gaps, and for a long time in the AFL there’s not enough support for people beyond the game when they’re finished,’’ Hunter said.

“The clubs try to do the best they can, and then we’ve got the AFLPA (players’ ­association). We want to be an additional safety net.

Former AFL players Ken Hunter, Wayne Carey and Mark Maclure are helping ex-players through the FifthQtr Foundation. Picture: David Caird

“People’s perception is AFL players get paid a lot of money but a lot of them struggle (in ­retirement) for whatever reason, and this is a hub where people can come into where they can get support.”

Hunter, who has opened up about his own mental health struggles and depression battle, initially started the foundation with fellow Carlton great Ken Sheldon.

Sheldon moved away from Melbourne during the pandemic and Hunter has since conducted his own research and is gathering surveys from past players.

He’s also collaborating with others affected by post-football issues, including Peter Venables, the father of Daniel Venables, the West Coast premiership player forced into premature retirement because of brain trauma.

Hunter says it is ‘a hub where people can come into where they can get support’. Picture: David Caird

Venables is on the board of the FifthQtr Foundation along with former Blues premiership ruckman Justin Madden, former footy administrator John Hennessy and physician Peter Wirth.

“There are no agendas here, we just want to get people help and we don’t want what we went through to happen to any other family,” Venables said.

“It’s an independent resource and if your whole life is turned upside down, it’s one click away from the information needed, and it will save a lot of heartache.

“We’re being respectful, we’re being a voice for the players and we’re owned by the players.

“I met Ken, who’s a gentleman, and I’m putting my business sense and trust behind him and it’s creating a united voice. This is just the beginning.”

Maclure, a three-time premiership star who suffered several concussions and is undergoing scans, said it was all about wellbeing and being an independent voice.

“Anxiety, pain management, depression, injury-related problems, concussion … they are all issues that have been raised,’’ Maclure said.

“Collingwood, for instance, have more than 100,000 members and you say to them ‘give $2 for the past players’ and that can help validate what they’re doing. It can go a long way.

“Last year the AFL spent $83m … how much of that went to past players?”

Dual North Melbourne premiership captain Carey, who has brought up the issue on his podcast The Truth Hurts, waited a year for shoulder surgery with private health insurance but is concerned for those who don’t have the money upfront to pay for such procedures.

Dual North Melbourne premiership captain Carey has spoken of the issue on his podcast.

“I’ve had two shoulder reconstructions on my right shoulder, but if you then need an osteo or physio, you need support,’’ he said.

“The past players have never been asked what sort of support they need as a collective. This can only be a good thing.”

Hunter, a Hall of Fame three-time premiership star, said not everyone suffered when their career ended but for those who did, there should be assistance. He said the not-for-profit organisation continued to develop its operating model.

“I had my own issues when I finished playing and I’ve seen the stories,’’ Hunter said. “Surely as an industry we can do more.”

Details: fifthqtr.org.au

Originally published as ‘There are too many gaps’: FifthQtr Foundation working to help support past players