PLAYERS receive enough support from the AFL after their careers have ended, says former Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans forward Patrick Vezspremi.
Drafted to the Swans at pick 11 in 2007, Veszpremi spent six years in the AFL system before being delisted by his second club the Bulldogs at the end of last season.
His comments come after St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt’s presentation to the AFL Commission earlier in the year, calling for more support for players post-football.
North Melbourne great Wayne Carey echoed those sentiments, but Veszpremi believes there is already a wealth of support for retired and delisted players.
Upon leaving the game, former players have access to a range of support services including study grants for up to three years.
The AFLPA also organises financial advice and career guidance for former players.
"We get great support," Veszpremi told AFL.com.au.
"The thing is, being in the AFL, you sometimes get things given to you, and things are already put in place. I think sometimes players don't realise when they finish up they have to go out and get what you're worth.
"I just think with the psychologists they provide, the money for study, they can't just give players jobs it doesn't work like that, this is the real world, this is real life now.
"I think some players think they need more but actually there's already a lot of support compared to what the average person coming out of school gets."
While the 24-year-old was prepared for his AFL career to come to an end, Veszpremi admitted it was a struggle initially to piece together his life after football.
"At the start I didn't think it would be that hard," he said.
"Being part of the AFL world, it gives you a lot of experiences … but you can't just expect to be given a job.
"After leaving you have to go out, get a job, still pay your mortgage and then try to balance your whole life.
"It's been really hard for me, the first two months I struggled really badly there was a lot of stress but now everything's just starting to pick up."
Veszpremi has since landed on his feet.
He has set up his own business, Vesz Fit, where he runs football skills clinics for kids and offers personal training services.
The 24-year-old has also re-discovered his love and passion for football and is captain/coach of Pascoe Vale football club, in Melbourne's western suburbs.
