Buddy Franklin Allegedly Sledged By Shane Mumford Over Mental Health Struggles During AFL Finals

Trigger warning: This article discusses depression and mental health.

Greater Western Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford has been asked to explain his alleged sledge of Sydney Swans forward Lance “Buddy” Franklin at Saturday’s qualifying final.

Mumford apparently attempted to throw off Franklin – who sat out the 2015 Finals while battling depression – by saying, “Good to see you’re not on holidays this year,” the ABC reports.

GWS won the match 91 to 55.

Sydney did not lodge an official complaint with the AFL, so if Mumford was to be sanctioned, it would need to be an internal decision by GWS. Pressure from mental health groups, seeking a greater understanding of depression in sports, might move them to do so, though the club is keeping mum at this time.

Opinion on the nature of the sledge is divided, with former Western Bulldogs great Luke Darcy telling Triple M, “I’m just staggered that this is even an issue.”

“If there’s anything to answer for that then the game has absolutely lost its mind,” he added.

However, according to News.com.au, Buddy’s fellow Swan Dan Hannebery believes the sledge crossed a line.

“I’ve spoken to Buddy briefly, he doesn’t really want to take it any further. He wants it to be done with,” he said.

“But personally you encourage people to come out and speak on mental health. It’s a serious issue and something that as a footy club in the AFL we want to encourage people to speak up and get help.

“It’s not something I believe is the right thing to do especially when someone shows the courage to speak up about an issue. It’s something that is very serious so therefore I wouldn’t go there.”

Earlier this year, Franklin told Channel Seven he’d been glad he shared his struggles with depression.

"It had been an issue for a little while with me, but ... I wasn't able to talk about it and I was a little bit embarrassed about it," he said.

"But for me, being able to speak to the football club, my partner and my family was the best decision I ever made," he said.

Update: Mumford has told gwsgiants.com.au that he has apologised to Franklin for the comments.

"I gave Lance a call in relation to my comments on the weekend, to apologise if I've stepped over the line," he said.

"Obviously with mental health being such a serious issue, (it was) really not a good choice of words.

"But he's taken my apology on board and he's happy to move forward from where we are now, and focus on our relevant games in the coming weeks."

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