Brett Finch checks into rehab for health issues

[beastwood89]

NRL commentator Brett Finch checks into rehab for health issues

BRETT Finch has taken time off from his NRL commentary duties at Channel Nine and 2GB to undergo treatment for health issues.

The TV and radio stations have confirmed that Finch stood himself down from duties before last weekend’s round of football and is expected to be off-air for several weeks.

Finch’s manager Steve Gillisconfirmed the former State of Origin and premiership halfback had taken a break from work for medical reasons but would not go into further detail.

The Sunday Telegraph understands Finch is undergoing treatment in a rehab clinic that specialises in anxiety, depression, drugs and alcohol abuse.

The brave decision to get help has been encouraged by his friends.


Like a lot of high-profile sports stars, Finch has struggled adjusting to life in retirement.

His condition is believed to be similar to the problems that floored swimming champions Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackettand his great friend Andrew Johns after their retirement.



Finch has stood himself down from commentary duties to seek help.
According to an overseas study, one in four footballers suffers mental health issues after retiring from their sport.

Finch was a notorious larrikin during his playing days and one of the most popular footballers in the NRL, renowned for his happy-go-lucky approach to the game and the good times off the field.

He mixed with the game’s glamour players and high-society mates and was best man at Anthony Minichiello’s celebrity wedding to Terry Biviano.

He also attended the wedding of his great friend and former teammate Luke Ricketson to Kate Waterhouse in Italy in 2012.


Finch played for five clubs in his 330-game career — the Raiders, Roosters, Eels, Wigan Warriors and Melbourne Storm.


His career highlight was kicking the match-winning State of Origin field goal in 2006 after coming into the Blues side as a late replacement.

For help with emotional difficulties contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Moderator note:

The thread has been cleaned up after a lot if inappropriate comments were made. So at time responses may not flow or make sense. Some posts were ok but were removed as they referred to removed posts.

 

[Interestingg]

I haven't seen him since he had a cry when the footy show crowd was booing Gerard Sutton the Thursday after the game against Souths. Wish him all the best to overcome his demons but I hope his biased commentating remains within the confines of his home and not national television

 

[Boxer]

Don't like the bloke he dosent like our club but hopes he get better

 

[dogluva]

Never one of my favourite players or commentators but I wish him luck in beating whatever demons are troubling him.

 

[Kaz]

He has severe depression.

 

[Dogtime]

You lot disgust me. As a former player myself, I knew of him and he is and was always very highly respected as a competitor and a loyal friend.

For all you dead beats who say he has no idea or that he doesnt like our club - you have absolutely no idea and have no idea of the friends he has At Many Levels in our club.

Hes always been very generous with his time to his mates and friends and is a loyal and sincere bloke.

Hes recently become very taken by a lovely lady and I hope he can fight his deamons and get back to normal soon. His laughter and sense of humour is infectious and hes always good fun to be around. Which is no doubt more than I could say for you sorry lot of numbnuts.

I for one, LOVE HIS COMMENTARY - he was a skillful player, he knows the game and was a great competitor.

Get well soon Finchie - The Dogs TRUE FAITHFUL love you.

 

[south of heaven]

You lot disgust me. As a former player myself, I knew of him and he is and was always very highly respected as a competitor and a loyal friend.

For all you dead beats who say he has no idea or that he doesnt like our club - you have absolutely no idea and have no idea of the friends he has At Many Levels in our club.

Hes always been very generous with his time to his mates and friends and is a loyal and sincere bloke.

Hes recently become very taken by a lovely lady and I hope he can fight his deamons and get back to normal soon. His laughter and sense of humour is infectious and hes always good fun to be around. Which is no doubt more than I could say for you sorry lot of numbnuts.

I for one, LOVE HIS COMMENTARY - he was a skillful player, he knows the game and was a great competitor.

Get well soon Finchie - The Dogs TRUE FAITHFUL love you.

You do get disgusted pretty easy.
How come im not a true dogs faithful if I don't love him ?
I dont wish no ill on him but I dont really like his commentary.

 

[EXPLORER]

I use to really like the guy,
Even when everyone use to hate him.
But recently I have began to dislike the way he hates on our club the way he does,

But I have been down this path myself, in regards to anxiety and depression and I know how much of a dark place it was. I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy,
Except an Isis fighter perhaps, lol, just kidding,

So I wish him all the very best in a speedy recovery and hope he has plenty of family and friends around him to help get him back on track,

All the best finchie. Get well soon, and stop draping on the dogs,
Although we kinda deserve it at the moment,

 

[EXPLORER]

He's got money, lived it up playing sport and a decent position in the media his luck has to take a hit once in a while (like all of us who don't have money and etc) so meh.

I'm sure he has an easier ride to recovery than I did,
I has a young family and bills to pay, I had to for go rehab to get back to work to pay bills,

I am sure Brett will be given as much help and time as he needs to get well, and good luck to him for that,

I'm glad for him he will have that time and help like Darius Boyd also had,

To some degree, I think having to much help and time just prolongs the recovery, although I went back to my responsibilities way to early, it did force me to get better quickly, I basically had no choice,

It almost killed me though, I was on the verge of suicide for a good 12 months or so,

 

[Psycho Doggie]

Don't know him personally, but know severe depression. Hope he comes through ok.

 

[EXPLORER]

You lot disgust me. As a former player myself, I knew of him and he is and was always very highly respected as a competitor and a loyal friend.

For all you dead beats who say he has no idea or that he doesnt like our club - you have absolutely no idea and have no idea of the friends he has At Many Levels in our club.

Hes always been very generous with his time to his mates and friends and is a loyal and sincere bloke.

Hes recently become very taken by a lovely lady and I hope he can fight his deamons and get back to normal soon. His laughter and sense of humour is infectious and hes always good fun to be around. Which is no doubt more than I could say for you sorry lot of numbnuts.

I for one, LOVE HIS COMMENTARY - he was a skillful player, he knows the game and was a great competitor.

Get well soon Finchie - The Dogs TRUE FAITHFUL love you.

Because it appears you are close to finch I am prepared to let slide the insults you have made to the good people on the kennel, and I understand given your friendship with him that you a blinded by his hatred for the dogs that we true faithful fans have picked up on and take acception to.

Given that you are so close to finch, please pass on our best wishes for a quick recovery,

 

[coach]

Sorry most of us normal people who are probably doing it much worse than this prick in terms of quality of life and our own struggles show no compassion because we are tough and probably see how someone well off and in a high position can be "depressed".

I might sound like a sour nut but I don't show empathy towards people who are clearly doing well but are "fighting some demons" and bullshit like that.

Exactly how I feel, all the best to him! But feel the same way

 

[EXPLORER]

Sorry most of us normal people who are probably doing it much worse than this prick in terms of quality of life and our own struggles show no compassion because we are tough and probably see how someone well off and in a high position can be "depressed".

I might sound like a sour nut but I don't show empathy towards people who are clearly doing well but are "fighting some demons" and bullshit like that.

Exactly how I feel, all the best to him! But feel the same way

Guys I get what you are saying,

Given my limited knowledge of finch, I can't speak on his behalf,
But you never know what triggers depression,

It's usually deep rooted issue from childhood,

He may have bullied as a kid, he may have been sexually assaulted as a kid, he may have had a abusive parent, or sibling, you never know.

His current situation, or perceived wealth may not be enough, his past Deminds are always there to haunt him.

 

[EXPLORER]

I still don't care, if I was in his position all it would take for me to be happy is just to buy a project car and work on it and be able to since I would have money to.

You know james hetfield from metallica also deals with depression, from deep rooted issues of his childhood.
James has enough money to own his on country,
He has a passion for restoring cars and does that in his spare time,
He also has a family, a wife and kids, and it was them that now keeps him in the right direction.

Depression is a complicated issue mate.

Untill you have lived with it, you will never undestand it, or be able to appreciate what those who suffer with it, go through.

I am so glad for you and others like you, who are ignorant to the struggles within for those who do suffer,

You truely are blessed to live life without the inner suffering that people with depression deal with on a daily basis,

I don't expect you to be able to understand depression if you are fortunate enough to not live with it, or have someone close to you go through it, and unlike many, I don't judge people who don't get it, I am glad for you that you don't undestand it cause it's a hell on earth I wish no one every has to live with,
It's the reason many end their life through suicide.

What finch really needs, money can't buy for him,

He needs a hero and inspiration, someone he looks up to for inspiration to push through, for me it's james Hetfield,
I can relate to him on so many levels, except money lol,
I draw inspiration in his lyrics and the way he fights through life and his inner demonds

I watch him push through and suceed and it inspired me to do the same,

He does it for his family and kids,

I also push through for my kids,

My kids are my main driving force, and james was my inspiration to suceed through it as he appears to do also.

 

[silva]

How did finch get a channel 9 job anyway..plenty of ex players more worthy. I guess his old man must have hooked him up a bit like his footy career as he was a nothing footy player. His commentary is bias and unprofessional. It doesn't surprise me one bit he's a sulking little bitch.

 

[Freakzilla]

How did finch get a channel 9 job anyway..plenty of ex players more worthy. I guess his old man must have hooked him up a bit like his footy career as he was a nothing footy player. His commentary is bias and unprofessional. It doesn't surprise me one bit he's a sulking little bitch.

Everything is because of who is father is. How Finch ever made NSW when Sherwin was at his peak I'll never know.

 

[c-b-b]

I honestly can't say I like any of the channel 9 "experts" but if he has issues all the best to him and hopefully he can get himself fixed up. And I wish the same to anyone who is dealing with depression, anxiety or addiction because I know what a terrible thing it is.

tbh he's probably dirty with us because roosters lost the 2004 GF then he played with the storm and that win was stripped. All those Channel 9 knobs hate us for one reason or another.

 

[bcmf]

Guys I get what you are saying,

Given my limited knowledge of finch, I can't speak on his behalf,
But you never know what triggers depression,

It's usually deep rooted issue from childhood,

He may have bullied as a kid, he may have been sexually assaulted as a kid, he may have had a abusive parent, or sibling, you never know.

His current situation, or perceived wealth may not be enough, his past Deminds are always there to haunt him.

i wouldn't even say it needs to be any reason. sometimes you get into a blue trot, and you can't get out. its as simple as that. and it can affect anyone from all walks.

but you know, things always tend to work themselves out. i'm sure finchie will pull out of it and be better bloke for it.

i still ****ing hate the little ****.

 

[Rodzilla]

He has severe depression.

he only had normal depression when he checked into the clinic but it was upgraded to severe after he saw the dogs-tigers game on friday night and he missed his chance to comment on it/celebrate on the touchline

im fairly certain he hates the club

 

[Sandra's Bollocks]

all the best to him, but i truly hope we never see him on tv again.