Is it really his mental health, or he just lacks the guts and gusto to have a real go.
Yeah I believe it's mental health brought on by the "fact" Josh's body just isn't cut out to be a professional footballer.
This would be really difficult for Josh to overcome, no.matter how much desire he has, no matter how well he diets or trains his biggest hurdle is his body. Genetics and DNA and his destined to be a very large human.
Some people have zero stamina, a small motor, others are just not built to run, especially fast.
Josh regardless of his super skills and footy brain if you can't keep up with the game your skills are useless.
I met him,and posted about it here, really nice guy was injured at the time but was so looking forward to getting back on the team, so his desire was there.
I did comment how big he actually is.. looked like a middle forward or at least potential to grow into one.
And there is his problem.. as a junior he killed it with all his skill and vision, his young body then able to.keep up and large size able to overpower opponents.
Then all the junior rep teams come along with all the hype.
The next super star tag.. and Josh believes it. He actually feels it.
His best year in the NRL came when he still had that "youthful" body.. able to keep up.
But it would get to a point now that whilst your at training everyone is out scoring you in all the training benchmarks, your being out run easily, last back after long distance drills, last in the sprint drills, gasping for air in defensive drills.you miss tackles, can't break the line even though the space is created and your that fatigued that with the ball you over play your hand.... and why.. because your body isn't an athlete.. no different to a 45 year old being given a run in the NRL you would be demoralised.
He's then got coaches pushing him to get better, he's trying but he goes backwards, team mates see your potential but they also know your weakness and as they are all competitors they use this to shine, targeting you in defence.. your too slow they know they will get through the line or create space all of this makes you look bad and no chance of making the team .
This is Josh and why it's a mental health issue for him .. he has the desire he just doesn't have the body and as every year passes it gets bigger and slower, he feels this and deep down he knows he's dream is or has ended.
I challenge anyone to go through that we would all struggle mentally.
Wish Josh all the best..he will always be a Manly boy to me but I think retirement and accepting his situation will be best for his mental health and life.