Brad Hartman on indefinite break

[Ricochet]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/geelong-will-give-brad-hartman-an-indefinite-break-from-afl-to-deal-with-personal-issues/story-e6frf3e3-1227257382583

YOUNG Cat Brad Hartman will take an indefinite break from football to deal with a range of personal issues

The 20-year-old will return to live with his family in South Australia where he will weigh up his football future over the coming months, after his parents met the club yesterday morning.

Geelong football manager Steve Hocking confirmed late yesterday that as a result of the meeting, Hartman had been granted time out of the AFL program to work through “some personal challenges”.

“He has been working with a psychologist and that will be ongoing moving forward,” Hocking said. “This is about more than football. It is about educating Brad to make better choices and to help him figure out what does his future look like.

“At this point of time, it is important for him to spend time with his family to assess his options.”

Hartman, who comes from an elite basketball background and was taken by the Cats at pick 77 in the 2012 national draft, showed rapid development last season and played five AFL games.

But he returned to Simonds Stadium after the off-season break not meeting certain fitness markers set by the club.

And there was also an incident in December while driving home in South Australia, where he was charged with failing to stop at a stop sign after he allegedly clipped a parked car.

That incident has left Geelong’s $250,000 sponsorship deal with the Transport Accident Commission hanging by a thread.

Hocking said the leadership group sat down with him upon his return to the club.

“They (the leadership group) set certain standards but Brad has found it difficult to meet those,” he said.

“From day one when he got to the club, Brad has suffered from homesickness. It comes and goes, but when he does go back home (to Murray Bridge), when he first gets back, that yearn to be back home is particularly difficult for him.”

Hocking said the club would continue to work with Hartman, with player welfare officer David Johnson set to fly to South Australia periodically to keep in personal contact with Hartman and his family.

[Mr.Craig]

It's a real shame because I thought he showed plenty of promise in his draft year.

[LF]

It's a real shame because I thought he showed plenty of promise in his draft year.

Yep same here,I even did a trade in one comp to get him in because I thought he looked good in the matches he played last season.

[LF]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-01/hartman-cats-part-way
GEELONG has parted ways with young midfielder Brad Hartman.

The 20-year-old has been on temporary leave from the club, spending time at home in South Australia over the past six weeks.

Hartman, his parents and AFL Players Association general manager Ian Prendergast met on Thursday and agreed the decision was in the best interests of all involved.

"Brad has had some issues meeting the professional standards expected of an AFL player and was at home considering whether or not he would continue," Geelong football manager Steve Hocking said in a statement.