AFL star Jesse Hogan takes time away from football to battle mental health issues

Troubled Fremantle Dockers forward Jesse Hogan is taking a leave of absence from the club following mental health challenges – months after his horrific car crash.

The club released a statement on Wednesday revealing the star would be stepping down temporarily.

‘Jesse needs time away from the club so he can manage mental health challenges that he is dealing with and focus on his general wellbeing,’ the club’s general manager of football Peter Bell said.

‘We believe it is the most appropriate course of action and, more importantly, it is what is best for Jesse’s long-term health and wellbeing.

‘We will continue to provide all the necessary and ongoing care and support Jesse requires, as we would do for any of our players.’

The club requested privacy for Hogan and his family and said they would update fans on his progress.  

In November 2019 the 24-year-old was involved in a car crash outside teammate Joel Hamling’s home in the Perth suburb of Bicton. 

‘It was a bit strange actually … the car ended up on its side,’ a resident told The West Australian. 

‘He might have been a bit shocked but he didn’t appear injured. He managed to climb out. He didn’t look that fazed (despite) obviously being in a pretty nasty accident.’

A Dockers spokesperson told AFL.com.au Hogan was conscious while being taken to by ambulance to Fiona Stanley Hospital and was discharged after a ‘brief period of observation’. 

The crash occurred the day before Hogan was due to return to pre-season training.  

In November 2019 the 24-year-old was involved in a car crash outside of team mate Joel Hamling’s Bicton, Perth, home (crash pictured)

Hogan spent the second half of the 2019 season on the sidelines recovering from surgery after he injured his right foot for the second time in 12 months. 

He missed nine weeks of the 2017 season due to his battle with testicular cancer.

He was diagnosed a month after he tragically lost his father to cancer. 

The embattled star was back in the headlines when he was dropped by the Dockers for the 2019 season opener after he turned up to training in an unfit state to play and breaking the club’s alcohol policy.  

The club revealed at the time their star forward had made ‘poor alcohol decisions’ and was battling ‘clinical anxiety’.

Hogan spent the second half of the 2019 season on the sidelines recovering from surgery after he injured his right foot for the second time in 12 months 

In 2019 the embattled star (pictured with Tash Sultana) the club revealed their star forward had made ‘poor alcohol decisions’ and was battling ‘clinical anxiety’ 

Hogan isn’t the first player to take time off the league due to mental health battles in recent times.

St Kilda’s four-time best and fairest winner Jack Stevens announced in February he would be taking an indefinite amount of leave from the sport due to his mental health.

He returned midway through the 2019 season.

Tom Boyd was 21 when he dominated the 2016 Grand Final as every bit the superstar his team traded captain Ryan Griffen for and handed a seven-year, $7 million contract. 

Alex Rance endured an internal struggle between his sport and religion before his shock retirement and split from his wife Georgia (pictured together)

But less than three years later on May 16 he quit the sport after years of struggle with mental illness that left him unable to sleep for months and ruined his form.  

Alex Rance endured an internal struggle between his sport and religion before his shock retirement and split from his wife.

The Richmond Tigers defender and five-time All-Australian stunned the football world in December when he announced he was retiring with immediate effect to focus on his ‘family and faith’.

Just days later it was revealed Rance, 30, had split from his wife Georgia – who he married in 2012 and is also a committed believer in the faith.

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