 | Grand Final Club Night |  |
Our ZOOM football evening was popular, with 27 Members and partners in attendance.
Brock McLean was clearly a popular choice of speaker for this celebration - and deservedly so. We were soon to find that he not only met, but exceeded our expectations.
Russell introduced Brock McLean – a now retired professional footballer who had played for both Melbourne as well as Carlton Football Clubs.
Russ’ association with Brock began pre football, however, as he and Sue had known Brock’s parents.
Brock thanked the club for inviting him to speak.
He was wearing his 2006 season Melbourne jumper. He told us that it brought him his happiest football memories.
Brock began his story by reviewing his professional football career.
As a highly successful Junior footballer, he captained the Australian under 17 team. He was the #5 draft pick in 2003, and debuted in 2004 playing for Melbourne. He was traded to Carlton at the end of the 2009 season, and eventually retired in 2014.
He spoke about the ups and downs of his professional football career which was plagued by injury. (Even so, he had played 94 games for Melbourne and 63 for Carlton - this info from Russell).
Brock spoke openly about how challenging he found transition to life outside football.
His mental health suffered, and he struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. Brock continues to receive treatment for his mental health issues, but feels like he is getting his life together.
He now lives with his fiance and his 9-month-old baby daughter.
Brock works in the position of Partnership Manager at Armytage Private Pty Ltd http://www.armytage.com.au/
Members showed a lot of interest post presentation. Questions were many and varied and we appreciated the warmth, empathy and appreciation he showed as he spoke of players he had known and played alongside.
We were even more impressed by the openness and sincerity with which he spoke of the mental health issues faced by himself as well as by other footballers, many of whom were similarly unprepared for the transition to life after football.