Carlton football boss Chris Davies says it will be near impossible to find a full-time psychologist under the AFL's new mental health mandate in the wake of the Elijah Hollands saga.
The Blues accepted a $75,000 fine from the league over circumstances relating to Hollands' appearance in the Round 6 clash against Collingwood. The club's psychologist was not at the MCG that night.
Some clubs have full-time psychologists while others work on a part-time basis given the lack of financial security.
The reality is, some psycAll Postshologists can earn $300,000 and more in private practices, and are unlikely to work for less in the AFL.
"I definitely think it's a challenge in the sense that most of the psychs want to work in their own clinic outside the AFL," Davies told 3AW.
"How many people have the time to commit full time? If the AFL want full time staff it's more of a full time equivalent and there needs to be multiple people working from here on in.
"0.6 (three days a week) is what the AFL have to this point – clearly that's going to change into the future but it's a reasonable question you ask in terms of wanting to get the best that you can possibly get. And those people generally in my experience, ten years worth of it, are wanting to do something else outside of footy so how we balance that will be the challenge in the future."
Davies refused to provide light on the intricate details of the AFL's investigation, but backed in the club doctors.
He also, when asked about Hollands, was able to provide a positive update.
"He's getting better every day and that's something he and I have been in contact with and I am pleased that is the case," Davies said.
