Former Collingwood forward Chris Dawes has thrown his support behind his ex-teammate Alex Fasolo, as the Pies forward battles depression.
Earlier in the week Collingwood confirmed the 24-year-old would miss Sunday's clash with Fremantle in Perth after stepping away from the game as he battles depression.
Dawes says he hasn't spoken to Fasolo since he announced the news, but is very supportive of his former teammate.
โI havenโt, no (spoken to Alex),โ Dawes toldย Fox Sports Newsโ Game Day Liveย on Saturday morning.
โThat said, Iโm really respectful of anyone who can say that theyโre dealing with this because we know that so many, particularly young males, are dealing with it and you throw professional elite sport into the mix and it can be a really tough environment.
โI think whatโs pleasing is for the most part we are getting a lot more understanding of it and understanding that mental health issues are a real thing.
โThe best description Iโve heard is that itโs a flaw of chemistry not character.โ
Dawes, who now plays for Sorrento in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League after 121 games for Collingwood and Melbourne over nine years, says players shouldn't be seen as a free target from abuse and negative comments.
โThe keyboard warriors kind of say โWell youโve signed up for this, youโve put yourself on social media, Iโve got a free shot hereโ,โ Dawes said.
โYou sign up to a degree but itโs unnecessary and particularly itโs uneducated.
โPeople sort of get on my Twitter after a game saying โI canโt mark or kickโ and โI should delist myselfโ.
โIโm like โcome on manโ.โ
