Jackson Barrett: Nathan O’Driscoll’s heart-wrenching post comes a time the AFL needs it and is a credit to him

“I’ve been extremely close to committing suicide”. It’s a sentence that no one writes flippantly and forces us to sit up and take notice. What strikes you first about Nathan O’Driscoll’s emotional Instagram post is his bravery and vulnerability. The vulnerability to open up and tell his story, knowing it might strike a chord with someone who needs it. The bravery to do it at a time where he knows it is crucial to help drive momentum towards genuine change, to add to the groundswell surrounding the push for a mental health round at AFL level. But the next thing you’ll notice about O’Driscoll’s post is the flood of support from teammates both current and former, friends, family, Fremantle AFLW players and fans. Fremantle have clearly created an environment that means young men like O’Driscoll feel comfortable being so open. The support he received would feel like a safety net. There’s no way that post would have been made if he felt otherwise. O’Driscoll’s comments come at a time where the AFL again has the chance to become an agent for change in the young men’s mental health space. Bailey Smith used a primetime television interview — and then his Instagram page — to make a plea for a dedicated round to raise awareness for the issue. The death of Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson’s brother Jarod also shone a spotlight on the issue. And former Eagle Brayden Ainsworth — a long-time advocate — as well as senior players Liam Baker and Brady Hough have also made the push in The West Australian this week. It now feels like a matter of when, not if, those calls are recognised on the strength of the league’s own players opening up. AFL players are forced to ride the highs and the lows. O’Driscoll has suffered injury after injury, watched his brother Aiden forced into retirement without playing a game and was unlucky to be dropped himself earlier this season. But he has also thrilled Optus Stadium with epic goals, starred in a final and been a part of famous wins. Fremantle are rightly proud of O’Driscoll, and sister and AFLW star Emma, for leading the way in driving important conversations. It’s not something written into an AFL contract. But their voices hold great weight and their power is mighty when used for good.