‘One per club’: Gil McLachlan on social media and mental health

AFL boss Gil McLachlan says players would be better off staying away from social media.

And he estimated at least one footballer at each club would be battling mental health issues.

The comments come after Western Bulldogs forward Travis Cloke yesterday revealed he would take an indefinite break to look after his mental health.

“I think it’s actually pleasing players are feeling comfortable and feeling OK to say they’re having a tough time,” McLachlan told Neil Mitchell.

“I think it’s reasonable to say certainly more than one at every club at one point in time having a tough time.”

He suspects social media plays a key role in affecting the mental health of the modern footballer.

“I’m not sure why players go on there,” he said.

“It’s obviously a big part of the younger generation’s lives, they want to be on there.

“I think the easiest way home on that one is to not be on there.”