Greatness.

It’s funny how one word can make you think of so many different things.

Jamie Elliott’s high flying mark against Port Adelaide, which subsequently earned him Mark of the Year. Buddy’s amazing display of athleticism against Collingwood, where he received a handball somewhere in the middle of the MCG before hurdling over the top of an opponent and kicking a goal from long range; a feat that saw him awarded Goal of the Year.

And while that single word brings many images of masculinity to mind, it’s not often associated with single-handed displays of mental toughness. There’s no honour recognising Mental Strength of the Year, despite playing such a vital role in all aspects of an AFL player’s on field performance.

Ironically, mental strength is looked so highly upon that there’s a whole test dedicated to it at draft camp.

The testing could be described, in a sense, as a personality test that gauges the player’s ability to manage pressure, cope with confusing situations, emotional intelligence and personal strength.

The test is written and while it is therefore the most subjective measure throughout the duration of the draft camp, it is perhaps one of the most daunting aspects for many players – something exemplified in Brock McLean’s 2003 draft camp diary:

“I didn’t understand some of the words in it, I kept having to put my hand up. Next time, I’ll have to take a dictionary.”

For many of the successful invitees, their mental strength is what is most tested in the years that follow that initial camp. First there’s the very real possibility of having to pack up and move away from home and into the unknown. Then, upon entering the AFL world, they are immediately confronted with a sudden lifestyle change and the social and emotional challenges of being a newbie. This is all before they even set foot on a field.

While at the time the psychological test may simply be another thing to tick off at that draft camp stage, it is perhaps the most accurate predictor of an athlete’s abilities. Physical performance can fluctuate significantly – there are injuries, there’s pre-season, there’s off season. But mental strength is something that is general stable over a lifetime. So if a player does not have the mental abilities to begin with, there’s little chance they will be a valuable contributor to a team’s overall performance in the future.

In 2011, 101 players – that’s one in seven – required psychological counseling. While the issues addressed covered depression, stress and addictions, many players also sought help for their football performance from wellbeing experts. While this number may seem high, the initial testing at the draft camp level has perhaps kept this number lower than what it otherwise would have been.

As with every season, this past year has seen a huge number of situations where players have had to remain mentally tough off and on the field in the face of adversity. While Matthew Lloyd has spoken of his concern surrounding the mental wellbeing of his teammates – “The mental scarring and the fall out from this … does it carry on into next year?” – Essendon’s on field performance, in light of everything going on around them, suggests that every one of those individual players maintained their own sense of mental strength throughout the season.

Although mental strength is a desirable attribute when it comes to recruitment, it must be noted that players are not left alone once they enter the AFL system.  All first and second year players participate in mental wellbeing programs conducted by the Players’ Association as part of their induction. The Players’ Association also offers a wide range of wellbeing services, including counseling, sleep seminars and wellbeing educations, in order to help both new and old players to cope with the stress of playing at an elite level. The wide national network of consultants that work for the Players’ Association ensures that help is accessible wherever it is needed.

So, while it may not be a highly recognised fact amongst fans, the mental strength of these players is what makes those spectacular performances like Jamie Elliott’s and Buddy’s seem effortless.