Mental Health Issues, ah!!!! that old chestnut.

 

11 hours ago, rjay said:

A mistake...

Is the mistake a single use or a multitude of uses creating a single problem?

That is the message being put out there: 

"Bailey Smith entered the AFL as a cleanskin.   He has told associates he had never touched illicit drugs until October of last year, in the period following the grand final".

"Those around him say that this period of post-season excess was an aberration - a window of poor choices - and that he has since rebalanced his life..."

smith-tackles-poor-choices-head-on-with-illicit-substance-confession

In the video floating around yesterday he didn't look like a novice.

More recently, his reaction a month ago, to a coll supporter pointing to his nose suggests Bailey knows about using substances.

Edited June 11, 20223 yr by Lucifers Hero

He's a 21 year old kid in Melbourne doing some recreational drugs during the off season...yeah not great promotional material but settle down. A lot of sportsmen have done a lot worse over the decades. 

He's going to get the sympathy vote here big time.

He may want to make better choices in the future with where & who he hangs out with & what he does.

The thing is though there were probably players doing the exact same thing last night only they hide it better

Wasn't it Dale Lewis who got pilloried by the AFL for saying up to 60% (just read it was 75%) of players were involved in illicit drugs?

This was back in the early 2000's and whatever the real figure it would be hard to believe it has has retreated.

The problem is society wide, coke is a well known drug of choice in professional circles so we can't just blame young, dumb footballers with too much time and money.

My take is different...I know it's good to get us off the front page for a few days but the fact is many of our players will be in the same boat. Most will come through unscathed but others like Fisher and Cousins will have their lives ruined.

I think it's a personal issue and really has nothing to do with us. It shouldn't be front page news but I understand why it is.

The AFL try to micro manage everything but in the end all they and the clubs should do is provide education and support, the rest is up to the individual.

I do find the brand protection stuff amusing though...the lies we get fed.

13 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

The 'fix' is on its way:  Bailey is young,  he made a mistake, he needs support, ipso facto sanctions aren't the right option.  Rinse.  Repeat.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2022-bailey-smith-white-powder-photo-western-bulldogs-investigation-news-updates/news-story/a9573fc0707d3aba543d146ee2fe4ea5

The AFL acknowledged Smith’s statement on Saturday afternoon and said it would interview him “in the coming days”.

The AFL Players’ Association said it would support Smith during this time and was “confident the Western Bulldogs will do likewise”.

“Bailey is a young man who has made a mistake, but importantly has owned that mistake and, even more importantly, has put steps in place to learn from it and grow as a person as a result of it,” the AFLPA statement read.  “The AFL environment is high pressure and high profile and Bailey has previously shared his battles with mental health.

“When issues such as this arise, there are typically two alternative approaches people think should be taken. “Condemn, sanction and shame the player involved or support, educate and try to use the issue as an opportunity for growth.”

imv the AFLPA is saying Smith should not be sanctioned.

Don't expect to see anymore discussion in the media.  Case closed.

 

tbh I feel sorry for him to be going through this.  It could easily be one of our youngsters.

My frustration is at WB, the AFL and now the AFLPA.   They should apply the rules consistently and Bailey being 20 doesn't excuse him.

I can see the case building against May; he is nearly 30 he should know better.  I hope the AFLPA use their negotiating skills with the AFL on his behalf.

Emphasis on the word Association, short for UOB'S.

15 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

The 'fix' is on its way:  Bailey is young,  he made a mistake, he needs support, ipso facto sanctions aren't the right option.  Rinse.  Repeat.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2022-bailey-smith-white-powder-photo-western-bulldogs-investigation-news-updates/news-story/a9573fc0707d3aba543d146ee2fe4ea5

The AFL acknowledged Smith’s statement on Saturday afternoon and said it would interview him “in the coming days”.

The AFL Players’ Association said it would support Smith during this time and was “confident the Western Bulldogs will do likewise”.

“Bailey is a young man who has made a mistake, but importantly has owned that mistake and, even more importantly, has put steps in place to learn from it and grow as a person as a result of it,” the AFLPA statement read.  “The AFL environment is high pressure and high profile and Bailey has previously shared his battles with mental health.

“When issues such as this arise, there are typically two alternative approaches people think should be taken. “Condemn, sanction and shame the player involved or support, educate and try to use the issue as an opportunity for growth.”

imv the AFLPA is saying Smith should not be sanctioned.

Don't expect to see anymore discussion in the media.  Case closed.

 

tbh I feel sorry for him to be going through this.  It could easily be one of our youngsters.

My frustration is at WB, the AFL and now the AFLPA.   They should apply the rules consistently and Bailey being 20 doesn't excuse him.

I can see the case building against May; he is nearly 30 he should know better.  I hope the AFLPA use their negotiating skills with the AFL on his behalf.

I agree with your post but TBH I think May will not incur any further sanctions from AFL. He can demonstarte self-defence etc.,   drinking rule has been dealt with by club, I didn't start it .....(as you have to exclude his comments, there's no rule with being mean and uncaring to others feelings)

Unfortunately I suspect it's Jake who will cop something for throwing the first one, and the whole Gerard Whately hysteria of "...violence cannot be condoned under any cirecumstances (sic)..."  etc.

Drug abuse and alcohol abuse both have their origins in mental health issues. Smith and May are alike in that regard.

It is stupidity, but its also more than that.

The difference here is that Jake alerted the club immediatley, Smith owened up months later after beuing caught out with no other options open to him and the cirus and sponsors have bought into that narrative. Cotton On would have certainly weighed the effect  up his marketing value before sticking with him..

Big deal.

Can't be about the story breaking, it's only been 1.5 days

Must be in reference to the time in question... Here comes the PR machine...

Wonder if Steven May could play tomorrow if we flood the media with this sort of Gush 🤮

 

28 minutes ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

Can't be about the story breaking, it's only been 1.5 days

Must be in reference to the time in question... Here comes the PR machine...

Wonder if Steven May could play tomorrow if we flood the media with this sort of Gush 🤮

 

Yep the exclusive interview. Gee that's quick. This time tomorrow he'll have all the sympathy

Who cares? The guy is a moron who thinks he is original and bucking the trend when in fact he is a walking cliche. Good player though. He’s just played around with some coke. Big deal… hardly hurt anyone else with it other than being a “role model”.  What Steve May did was much worse in my book, but I fully trust he will be back better than ever and put it behind him. And Steve May is an incredible player. 

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-star-says-mental-meltdown-followed-grand-final/news-story/4ea52997fb363f696d0afd3467c1a4fe

I had thought that our crushing GF would have broken the heart and spirit of the Footscray club, perhaps accounting for their big fall in the first half of this season, and I think it was discussed on Demonland several times in the off season, but here Bailey seems to be claiming that we are the cause of his "mental health issues".

Deflection or fact?

1 hour ago, homsar said:

Who cares? The guy is a moron who thinks he is original and bucking the trend when in fact he is a walking cliche. Good player though. He’s just played around with some coke. Big deal… hardly hurt anyone else with it other than being a “role model”.  What Steve May did was much worse in my book, but I fully trust he will be back better than ever and put it behind him. And Steve May is an incredible player. 

It’s amazing how illegal drugs are no big deal these days 😳

50 minutes ago, monoccular said:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-star-says-mental-meltdown-followed-grand-final/news-story/4ea52997fb363f696d0afd3467c1a4fe

I had thought that our crushing GF would have broken the heart and spirit of the Footscray club, perhaps accounting for their big fall in the first half of this season, and I think it was discussed on Demonland several times in the off season, but here Bailey seems to be claiming that we are the cause of his "mental health issues".

Deflection or fact?

I believe  he was partying with our boys in the early hours after the GF.

56 minutes ago, John Crow Batty said:

I believe  he was partying with our boys in the early hours after the GF.

what really upset him and set him off was our boys singing his song

15 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

That is the message being put out there: 

"Bailey Smith entered the AFL as a cleanskin.   He has told associates he had never touched illicit drugs until October of last year, in the period following the grand final".

"Those around him say that this period of post-season excess was an aberration - a window of poor choices - and that he has since rebalanced his life..."

smith-tackles-poor-choices-head-on-with-illicit-substance-confession

In the video floating around yesterday he didn't look like a novice.

More recently, his reaction a month ago, to a coll supporter pointing to his nose suggests Bailey knows about using substances.

I think you'll find that video has nothing to do with drugs, and he's actually been quite clever there. There was a pies fan in the crowd wearing Kiss makeup. True story

Trying to imagine what would have come about if social media and smart phones were around in 2004-6 when the West Coke Eagles boys were at their 'best'.

AFL condone drug use with their weak as [censored] drug policy so not surprised to see this be less about a footy player breaking the law and more about the 'poor complicated boy' .  

I just don’t believe it. 
he had a big weekend and put it on Social Media 

 

Lachie Hunter and Tom Liberatore like the above post!

If this was some fringe Collingwood player he would be suspended for a year, mental health or not.

I think he needs a new hat. 

If AFL bad boy behaviour that hits the headlines is the tip of the iceberg the Bulldogs must bat very deep.  Headlines:

• Libba found under the influence of drugs in the city some years ago
• Stringer behaviour leading to his trade
• Tom Boyd, Zaine Cordy fight in 2018
• 2020 Hunter crashing his car and aided after the event by Bailey Smith and Billy Gowers
• Smith in a brawl on the GC last Oct.
• Smith outing for drug use

It is no wonder Dunkley wanted a trade in 2020 for what he thought was unprofessional off field behaviour at the club.

Add those with mental health issues:  Travis Cloak, Tom Boyd, Bailey Smith and players taking 'personal' leave ranging from 2 weeks to 6 weeks and one wonders what is going on at the kennel.

All clubs have bad boy events with players.  Either the Bulldogs have a lot more than most or they aren't very good at keeping things in house.

Edited June 13, 20223 yr by Lucifers Hero

there's instagram direct messages going around of him asking for charlie back from before he was even drafted

the notion that this was a one-off is hilarious

Edited June 13, 20223 yr by whatwhat say what

They are spinning this so hard Im getting dizzy.  Wants to be the victim here? Sheesh.  An overpaid, overpampered, overexposed, badly coiffured young man that did something illegal (at minimum possession).  Own your mistake and stop trying to bump your insta numbers.

#free kick bulldogs extends beyond the boundary……

I thought it was bizarre that Bevo said ‘…essentially any player with a clinically diagnosed mental health challenge will never be exposed to the policy anyway’ (from news.com.au)

So now we have someone on record saying that he knows where the loophole exists in the policy. The same coach whose had how many players take ‘mental health’ breaks in the last 6 years? It’s about 7 isn’t it?

Maybe a football journalist wants to report on this? Anyone?