Malthouse was reflecting on the late, great Danny "Spud" Frawley who has championed this mass participation community event right from the start.

But Malthouse also said this was why events like the Classic were important in promoting multiple benefits. This is a ride, run or pet-walk to raise money for our homegrown Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute - Australia's only regional hub investigating such deadly disease and one built solely on community support.

The Classic is about fresh air, catching up with friends and family, exercise and even just enjoying Ballarat's begonias and particularly after a year of uncertainty and separation. It is a feeling of belonging.

The second SPUD100 (100-mile or 160-kilometre) ride will take place in Frawley's honour days after his wife and daughters, with St Kilda Football Club, flag the new Spud's Game for AFL's round two to spark discussion and raise fund for mental health support.

AFL awareness rounds can make a massive difference in shaping national conversation. We have seen this in our grassroots game with Buninyong and Clunes gradually changing culture in their wider communities by partnering with Walking Off the War Within for the annual Shanahan Cup.

The Central Highlands game is in honour of Nathan Shanahan's legacy - a fierce mental health champion, like Frawley, before his death.

Such matches are far from enough alone. While they can spark talk, it is the responsibility of clubs and communities to keep checking in on each other all year round.

Rick Corney attributes his survival to Avoca Cricket Club.

A couple of players knocked on his door one day, at the suggestion of a local policeman, in the hope to reengage Corney with community via a game he used to love. Corney was diagnosed with schizophrenia aged 28.

Corney is now a senior peer-support worker, drawing on his lived experience to help others, for Ballarat Community Health. This past week he has also become a regional champion in national analysis of Victoria's Royal Commission into Mental Health final report.

That knock on the door was well before any official talk of mental health awareness within sporting clubs or even in the community. For Corney, the knock was a sign of acceptance and belonging.

IN OTHER NEWS

This is what sporting clubs and sporting events can do so well - even if just getting out to ride or run or walk with a pet about the lake to raise money for cancer research.

Clubs like Gordon are stepping up to educate and learn more to have stronger support structures in place. The Eagles tell The Courier today that taking up new footy-led mental health program Tackle Your Feelings is not just for players or volunteers but the wider community they bring together.

Mental health is an incredibly complex social and cultural issue that pervades all areas in our communities. A special event or game is not a Band-Aid but ripple effects are real and they can be positive. They can be a strong start.

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