seriously though I had a stuffed back when I was young and the chiro blamed the all stars and once I stopped wearing them the back got better. He's a friendly guy Nathan, my son had his Saints top on from footy training and he said hello to us.
They are shockers all stars. I had chronic hammy issues from 17-22 years of age ruining any chance I had of having a meaningful sports career. I used to love wearing all stars but they'd give me pain in the calves as they had no support like you said and my physio said get rid of them and it helped.
A big part of getting over the issues I had was taking a year off and traveling and forgetting about my hamstrings for a while. I was just a nobody playing amatuer level football and it damn near ruined me mentally doing hammies over and over again. It's hard to describe how tough it must be for a bloke like Freeman who has a whole footy world keeping an eye on his hamstrings.
The problem is you just become so aware of them. If you are fast (I was always a sprinter and speed was my main weapon) having mental demons about your hamstrings is awful as you are scared to go 100%. Training is one thing, but in a match, instinct takes over. Running away from guys was when mine would ping as that is when you are TRULY going at 100%.
There is hope but I wouldn't wish chronic hamstring issues on my worst enemy. Especially if you are fast. Let's hope he is getting the best treatment possible and he finds a way back but it is a long, lonely, and mentally challenging road he has ahead of him.