Collingwood's troubled former All-Australian defender Harry O'Brien will be given a third weekend off from AFL football to focus on his personal problems.
Coach Nathan Buckley on Wednesday ruled out recalling O'Brien for seventh-placed Collingwood's round-17 clash with with Gold Coast (14th) at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
O'Brien didn't play in round 15 against Carlton on July 5 because of an ankle injury but he'd also reportedly had an argument with Buckley, which the coach didn't deny.
The Brazil-born O'Brien returned to training the following week and shocked waiting media by talking openly about personal issues which were troubling him.
O'Brien's concerns include witnessing a murder in Brazil in 2011 and the suicide of his stepfather in 2009.
Buckley said the Magpies were determined to give O'Brien all the time he needed to deal with his concerns.
"Harry won't play this week," Buckley said.
"As a club we support him absolutely. Along with the experts and the people he's working with and our doctors, we'll find the right time for him.
"It's not really a time-frame issue. It's just about when our players are right to play.
"It's easy if you've got a calf (injury) or if you've got a hamstring.
"But there are other issues you need to get to be ready to play four quarters of intense football, ups and downs, the resilience required.
"We're supporting Harry through the period at the moment and respect the fact that football might actually be the thing that he needs to be doing right now."
Buckley said personal issues were more widespread in football than people might realise.
"All you ever see is the facade. We deal with a lot of things internally that don't come out and shouldn't come out," Buckley said. "This has.
"Players all through the league, they deal with issues.
They're humans. They're not robots.
"They're more than footballers and we treat them as such."
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