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Eddie McGuire has called for expanded mental health support in the AFL, as the league resists introducing a dedicated awareness round.
Eddie McGuire has urged the AFL to remove mental health and welfare services from its soft cap, as the league's position on introducing a dedicated men's mental health round becomes clearer.
The call follows comments from Bailey Smith, who used a post-match interview to push for a round focused on men's mental health.
The Geelong Cats midfielder raised the issue in light of recent events involving Elijah Hollands and Jordan Dawson.
Hollands experienced a mental health episode during Carlton's loss to Collingwood, while Dawson missed Adelaide's match against St Kilda following the death of his brother.
Smith called for greater awareness and support, encouraging the football community to check in on one another and respond more openly to mental health challenges.
According to Channel 7 reporter Tom Morris, the AFL is unlikely to introduce a specific mental health round in the near future.
He reported the league prefers targeted initiatives such as Spud's Game, which honours Danny Frawley and promotes mental health awareness, along with recent forums held to address the issue.
McGuire, speaking on Channel 9, argued that access to mental health support should not be restricted by financial limits under the soft cap.
He said clubs need greater flexibility to respond quickly and effectively, adding that mental health challenges in 2026 require a more proactive approach than in the past.
He also noted that while stigma around mental health has eased, the focus must now shift to ensuring consistent and accessible support systems across the competition.