The partnership between the AFL Players’ Association and Cancer Council Victoria has achieved great heights in 2014, with Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt, North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson and Carlton backman Sam Rowe sharing their personal experiences with cancer.

The players are challenging footy fans to have the harder conversations with the men in their lives to ensure they’re around in the future to make more memories.

“As men, we’re not always the best at talking about our health” – Jack Riewoldt

The Make More Memories campaign aims to shrink the cancer divide between men and women, which sees men 21 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer.

As part of the Make More Memories campaign, Riewoldt spoke publicly for the first time about his experience with cancer.

Read the full story on Riewoldt’s melanoma here.

“As men, we’re not always the best at talking about our health – but my experience really hit home just how important it is to make sure, no matter how small your concerns might be, that you do talk about it and get checked by a doctor,” Riewoldt said.

Rowe’s story was made public in 2012, but upon hearing of the new partnership between the Players’ Association and Cancer Council Victoria, Rowe was more than happy to talk about what he went through if it might help someone else decide it might be worth having something checked out. The Age journalist Emma Quayle spoke with Rowe about his experience and you can read more here.

All-Australian and North Melbourne champion Scott Thompson has a story to tell too, tragically losing his father Don to Bowel cancer in 2010. Scott opened up on his personal experience with cancer earlier this month – keep your eye on aflplayers.com.au to see his story.

Read more about the Make More Memories campaign, and find out what you can do to cut the cancer risk of those around you, here.