WallyStringhaus
Club Legend
- Aug 27, 2015
- 1,150
- 5,280
- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
We took a chance on a young man with mental health issues so we need to be realistic enough to know that he will ALWAYS have ups and downs.Absolutely. I think what frustrates people is that he can look like he's just about to rip a game up one week and then disappear the next couple of weeks. You just want him to crash a pack. Throw his body around.
If a player (any player) is struggling, hopefully they put their hand up and step away because if they don't, they just leave themselves open to criticism. That's not fair, but it just opens that door.
Anyone who has known or dealt with people who have serious mental health issues will tell you that their moods can fluctuate wildly not just on a day to day basis but on a moment to moment basis.
A person can feel like they have the sunshine on their shoulders, feeling fresh and relaxed and have it all come apart if the smallest thing doesn't go to plan. That's why it is not that easy for people to "put their hands up and step away" because things can and do go to s**t pretty easy.
Look at Tom Boyd's first two years in our system. Really underwhelming in 2015, banished from the team halfway through 2016, a premiership hero just months later. I think Josh is ahead of where Tom was and he too may need some tough love to get there but he needs a lot of support and understanding as well.
I think he is in a great environment within a great club and surrounded by great people and I'm super optimistic that in time he will become a really good footballer who plays a key role in delivering us another flag.