From Sale to Goodwood, country footy clubs are evolving to help their players with mental health

On a lovely day for pleasant games, all the sporting people in the district gathered on the edge of a vibrant field to see something they'd never seen before. 

Warning: This story contains themes that may be confronting for some readers

Sale City and Rosedale seniors, reserves, netballers, umpires, mates, family and children lined up squarely to hear stalwart clubman Greg Robinson talk about suicide.

People feel they can discuss the issue of mental health in clubs all over Australia, but they do not often mention suicide.

Not like this.

Even the cypress and red gums, lining the oval's wings like grandstands, seemed to be listening in to the echoes of love and despair.

«Join us in honouring all members from our respective clubs who have passed before us due to their battles with mental illness, and hopefully display our support for those who continue to suffer,» Greg says.

«We reflect on our most recent loss of club favourite, four-time senior premiership player Justin McLay, and 1993 senior premiership player Robert Stal.

»To quote a member [wife of Robert, who died in 2000] directly touched by this unfortunate illness, 'every day you think of what you could've done to help — that's the pain left behind'.

«Let's take a moment to reflect and show our respect for those we care for and those who still suffer.»

Justin McLay brought people together. He was the kind of bloke who always had the time to ask you about your day, your problems, your issues.

He never expected anything in return. It's just the way he was.

«I've never known somebody to have so many best friends,» his partner, Ashlyn Weston, said.

An English and humanities teacher at Maffra Secondary College, Ashlyn also plays goal defence at Sale City Football and Netball Club.

«So