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.
“I haven’t, no (spoken to Alex),” Dawes told Fox Sports News’ Game Day Live on Saturday morning.
“That said, I’m really respectful of anyone who can say that they’re 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.
“I think what’s 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.
“The best description I’ve heard is that it’s a flaw of chemistry not character.”
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.
“The keyboard warriors kind of say ‘Well you’ve signed up for this, you’ve put yourself on social media, I’ve got a free shot here’,” Dawes said.
“You sign up to a degree but it’s unnecessary and particularly it’s uneducated.
“People sort of get on my Twitter after a game saying ‘I can’t mark or kick’ and ‘I should delist myself’.
“I’m like ‘come on man’.”