In the AFL, we have a similar situation.

During our holiday period at the end of the season, some clubs demand that players wear GPS units and they require the data to be emailed directly to fitness staff in order to make sure the athletes are keeping in shape and staying active during their so called ‘time off’.

Thankfully, we don’t currently have this regime at North Melbourne, but we have had it in the past.

Right now, the players are fighting for more time off and the freedom to spend personal time however they want.

We feel our clubs are getting more than their pound of flesh during the course of a year.

We’re saying ‘no’ to wearing GPS units on holidays and we’re demanding a shorter pre-season.

The AFL is one of the only sports in the world that has a training block in the lead up to a season almost longer than the season itself.

Our last pre-season ran from November 9 (for our youngest players) until March 16 when we played our final NAB Cup match against Hawthorn.

That’s close to 20 weeks of hard training when you factor in all the off-site training that’s required, for a season that runs 23 weeks.

The principle behind our fight is to create a better work/life mix because studies show players with a good balance actually perform better.

But there’s also the self improvement side of things which must also be factored in.

Last year, of the 130 players that either retired or were delisted from the AFL, only three left with a university degree.

It’s a concerning number.

After spending such a long period of their life involved in footy, most of the 127 will have had the rug pulled out from under their feet and as a result, can be left with nothing to go to and no skills.

There’s always state leagues like the VFL, SANFL, WAFL and levels below those that can offer good coin for an ex-player’s services, but it’s not enough to make a living off.

As a member of the AFL Player’s Association, I see this as a massive ongoing issue.

The time to plan for the future is now, yet sadly we have little time to even contemplate it because of our busy football schedules.

With a young family, there are times during the season when I only get one day at home a week.

The rest are at Aegis Park in meetings, training sessions, recovery or travel.

Now, I know I get paid exceptionally well to do what I do, but my career span is a lot less than the average person.

The average career for a footballer is just four years.

Every year, I have to consider what lies ahead for me and ask myself ‘how will I look after my family if things go pear-shaped on the field?’

Back in 2010, I had terrible injuries in my feet which threatened my career.

At that time, I considered the possibility that my life as a professional footballer was about to come to an end.

If it had, what then?

The mobile dog washing business I had bought into with former team-mate Adam Simpson wasn’t going to keep me afloat that’s for sure.

I didn’t really have a foot in the door with any media and my education wouldn’t lend itself to any particular industry or organisation.

There are definitely players who don’t have to worry, but there aren’t many of them.

Some of those blokes might have been in the AFL system for several years and the only skills they’ll leave with, will be the ones the coaches have taught them on the field.

The statistics show 40 of the 130 players who exited the system last year had been on an AFL list for seven or more years.

In our ‘Next Goal’ trade apprenticeship program, 26 players cancel their involvement which requires a 20 day work placement.

This 20-day placement had already been reduced from 30 days, suggesting players’ footballing commitments are growing at the expense of personal development.

As an industry, we need to be better. Players can no longer be used up and spat out.

*North Melbourne vice-captain Drew Petrie was drafted from North Ballarat Rebels in 2000. He played his junior football with Ballarat Swans.