Sam Fisher

Nick Riewoldt has called on the AFL to give players more support when they leave the league, after ex-teammate Sam Fisher's arrest on a drug trafficking ...

"I think that is an issue. This is the cautionary tale. "Players are paid really well, they've got all of these opportunities available to them as they go through the game, but somewhere along the line it's not working because the condition that too many players are finding themselves in post-career is not at the level that it should be," he said. "Something needs to be done because players and teammates can do as much as they like but they're not experts in the space and they need help." "There are not a lot of Sam Fisher-type incidents that we're hearing about now but there are a lot of players that are slipping through the cracks," Riewoldt said. "But at a time like this you really realise how out of your depth you are as a teammate, when a player is facing challenges of the kind that Sam has faced.

Former St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has expressed his feeling of guilt after he and former teammates tried to help Sam Fisher who is now facing serious ...

A separate entity or separate part of the AFL?' Riewoldt said the current player payment model was built on when the game exploded in popularity in the 1990s and became professional. 'I think the clubs do take their responsibility in this space seriously. We're going to champion this and whatever it looks like, we are going to deliver the world's best player transition program.' 'There's a lot of resources and support available while they're playing. Does it need to be a separate entity that looks after the past players?

The plight of former St Kilda player Sam Fisher has sparked a passionate debate about to how best stop ex-AFL players 'slipping through the cracks' and now ...

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Premiership player and leading mental health advocate Wayne Schwass says players are being “institutionalised” by the AFL system and more balance is needed ...

However, the PA is funded by current players, who already contribute to past-player programs. The whole paradigm in thinking when it comes to the CBA is: ‘we should get as much as we can now, not reserve and preserve’. They need to think long term. The AFL was contacted for comment. Fisher, who played 228 games for the Saints from 2004-16, did not appear in court last week, and has preferred to remain in custody. “It took me seven years post retiring to understand who I was beyond the athlete. AFLPA boss Paul Marsh defended his past players transition program, adding that clubs also needed to take greater responsibility when helping players move into life away from professional football.

'Has to be a joint responsibility': Players' union boss responds after ex-Saint's drug charge.

“I think we have initiated this conversation with the AFL about probably two years ago. There are definitely some players that are requiring assistance as they’re leaving the game … It’s not a new issue, but it is a big issue that we’re dealing with. “There’s enough support mechanisms these days for players with clubs, with the PA, with management. “The PA do a terrific job with the ‘outduction’ programs they’ve got going these days – it’s not just about getting you in and spitting you out. “We were given an unbelievable opportunity through our careers and have education rammed down our throats about the importance of planning for life after football. Obviously while they‘re in the game, they’re very focused on football, but there’s also a lot of resources and support available while they’re playing.

Caroline Wilson has questioned St Kilda's handling of Sam Fisher's off-field problems and Nick Riewoldt's criticism of the AFL Players' Association.

I just think it’s a bit much to pass the buck to the players’ association when somebody gets in as deep as Sam Fisher has clearly got. “When they come out the other side, their lives are ending up in pretty horrific conditions. The former St Kilda captain told Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night: “Enough is enough.