GAMBLING is a growing issue for footballers, warns Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.
The Dogs prepare to face Collingwood on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium and the Pies will be without Jaidyn Stephenson following his 22-game, 12 of those suspended, betting ban.
Beveridge says Stephenson, 20, will learn from his mistakes, but the broader concern of gambling in the AFL is due to two key factors that are unlikely to diminish as the competition becomes an increasingly powerful commodity.
"I met Jaidyn at the draft Combine. He seems like a brilliant young kid, obviously, he's made a mistake and that's a real shame," Beveridge said on Thursday.
An emotional Jaidyn Stephenson faces the media following his ban for betting. Picture: AFL Photos
"Too much time on our hands and too much disposable income, they're the two dynamics that collide and create a real issue.
"There's obviously some huge challenges in our game from club to club and from individual to individual.
"I think the bigger the salary cap gets, the bigger the demands from the PA (AFL Players' Association) and what goes into the player's pocket, the bigger issue it's going to be."
How to better educate players about gambling and help prevent a problem occurring is complex. From Beveridge's perspective, keeping players' minds active and offering support are the first point of call.
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"The important thing for all of us who mentor and support our players is to continue to seek out new ways to fill in their time. We've all got a responsibility to help them," Beveridge said.
"Clubs are great at supporting players who have the occasional slip up and this is one of them. I'm sure occasionally they'll make light of it internally, I'm sure his teammates will sarcastically take the piss occasionally.
"Ultimately, he (Stephenson) will learn his lesson and I'm sure he'll be fine."
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On the selection front, veteran Dale Morris is at least another week away from his remarkable return from an ACL injury.
The 36-year-old defender has relentlessly pushed in his rehab since hurting his knee in pre-season, but will need games in the VFL before senior consideration.
A beefed-up Dale Morris at training on Tuesday. Picture: AFL Photos
"Another week; Dale will play with Footscray when he comes back. It took him two or three games last time to get his game fitness back up, even though he still looks like he could be in one of the Marvel movies," Beveridge said.
"It's like he's waiting outside the match committee door, isn't he?
"He went out and trained with the group a couple of weeks ago and he didn't re-hurt himself, but he just felt some awareness, so it probably just set him back another week. He's feeling good again."
Star midfielder Tom Liberatore will miss at least a month from a knee injury of his own which might pave the way for father/son draftee Rhylee West to make his debut. Beveridge confirmed the gritty 18-year-old would be in the squad and is nearing a call-up.
"Rhylee will be in the 26 (squad) that are selected and we'd love to give Rhylee an opportunity, but what we don't want to do with our brand new players is throw them to the wolves and put them out there before they're totally ready," he said.
Son of a gun: Rhylee West, son of club great Scott, in action in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos
