Never knew of this. Never heard anything about this before. I was surprised.

 

Be a surprise to many , myself included.

In article form: 

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/steven-febey-opens-up-about-his-battle-with-drugs-and-alcohol-after-bali-bombings/news-story/8828e51008f13c4a961a0389b55078d1

 

I'd heard over the last few years that he'd developed into a less-than-likeable character, which is a shame because I loved him as a footballer. I guess this explains at least part of the issue. 

He alludes to "post-sport depression", which in and of itself is a very interesting talking point. Good on him for opening up about it though, and it's equally good to see that Neita still looks after his old mates. A 'captain' in every sense of the word.

Another article: 

http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/beating-his-demons-the-steven-febey-story/

 

Thanks for the post Gorg!

I remember him as a gutsy player who fought above his weight and it seems he's found that mojo again and given the black dog a whack!!

Go Dees!!!

Further proof that you can't make an assessment of a person's mental wellness from afar. It seems to affect people that you'd never expect.

Febes opening up will help many people out there, not just sportsmen.

 

well done sFebes..  guts mate.

proud of ya.

 

Being in Bali in 2002 seeing bodies blown to pieces when you know you could so easily have been one must take its toll

i am glad Febes is coming out the other side...

It sounds simple to do what he's done but it takes a lot of guts and character. Well done to him.

Credit to the AFLPA

I was beginning to think they did nothing.

There was a story a few years ago about him in the newspapers where he spoke about depression, his marriage breakdown and the toll the 2002 bali bombings took on him. I hope he gets all the help he needs. 

23 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

It sounds simple to do what he's done but it takes a lot of guts and character. Well done to him.

 

yes indeed,  it does.

 

Febes was always one of my favourites since U-19's.

Hell.  

He was always one of the gutsiest players in the game: but what courage he has shown firstly in addressing his own serious problems, but more so in coming out and sharing them, and the steps he has taken to address them, with strangers.

Well done and all the best.

A gut-wrenching story, and it's an absolute credit to Steven that he was prepared to tell it to the football world!  So far so good with the happy ending.  Stay in control Febes, just like you did on the HBF!

Not news to a lot of people that he had struggles. But good news that he's doing so well. All the best to him.

Onya Febes

Amazing he played in TWO Grand Finals for us

Good luck to Steven Febey.

But I'm a bit disappointed that while posters support Febey (as they should) through his battles with depression, so many others show no sympathy to other players who have explained they have depression but are disbelieved apparently because they did something that's considered to be either un-Melbourne or unmanly. Obviously Mitch Clark is one, but there have been others, too.

29 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Good luck to Steven Febey.

But I'm a bit disappointed that while posters support Febey (as they should) through his battles with depression, so many others show no sympathy to other players who have explained they have depression but are disbelieved apparently because they did something that's considered to be either un-Melbourne or unmanly. Obviously Mitch Clark is one, but there have been others, too.

Fully agree LD-vC.  I felt it was terribly sad how some posters reacted to the news that Garry Lyon is and for over 6 months has been in a very, very dark place.

There is no way to know what the 'trigger' is for each person.  It could be a sudden event as Febey experienced or it can be a slow burn situation.  We simply don't know the circumstances.  So, I feel it is best to err on the side of compassion rather than the side of judgement.

Leaving aside the obvious effects that witnessing the Bali bombings would have on a person. We talk about the choice a person has of playing football at the highest level and the fabulous sums of money they can earn and I hear many chants of "what a gifted life".  However it has always struck me, and moreso as every year goes by, that playing AFL football really is an abnormal life style. Whilst there is some responsibility on the players to perform actions and tasks so much of their lives are dictated and managed for them. Here are your training sessions, here is your program, this is what time to be at the airport, this is what time to be at the ground. Couple this with adulation and the spotlight from the public, it must leave a gaping whole in their lives once they retire. 

I know the ALFPA over the years has focused heavily trying to help players transition to life after footy but it is a huge task in moving a life from the abnormal back to the normal and it does not surprise me that many players do get "lost" and go the way of Febes.

Best of luck to him - great courage in telling his story and I hope he continues on his current path of healthy mind and body. 

Edited March 2, 20169 yr by nutbean

14 hours ago, dees189227 said:

There was a story a few years ago about him in the newspapers where he spoke about depression, his marriage breakdown and the toll the 2002 bali bombings took on him. I hope he gets all the help he needs. 

Yes I did recall that when I heard of this latest article. The PTSD he suffered from this clearly took a massive toll on him (and I'm sure many others we won't hear about), I really admired him when he played for the Dees and it's really sad to hear the many difficulties he's had since that terrible night.

Best of luck to him.

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

So, I feel it is best to err on the side of compassion rather than the side of judgement.

Wells said.

Apparently Feebs is on open mike tonight 

A refreshing change from Jacko last week... im sure mike would be glad 

Sad story but glad to hear that he seems to be getting his life back on track . Hasn't been a great decade for this club both on and off the field 

59 minutes ago, Delusional demon 82 said:

Apparently Feebs is on open mike tonight 

A refreshing change from Jacko last week... im sure mike would be glad 

Sad story but glad to hear that he seems to be getting his life back on track . Hasn't been a great decade for this club both on and off the field 

Wish him all the best.

I saw him outside the ground at the first Big Freeze game (having a smoke).

He looked like he had some severe physical injuries also and walked like his legs were hobbled.

Glad he has got his act together.

Sad to read. I hope he continues to find ways to battle his demons and can continue to enjoy life clean.