Medibank teams up with AFL’s Spud’s Game to drive action on mental health

Medibank today announced it will join Spud’s Game – the AFL and St Kilda Football Club’s marquee mental health awareness match – as the official health partner, building on its commitment to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Australians.

Spud’s Game, played annually since 2021 in honour of club legend Danny “Spud” Frawley, has become a powerful national platform that has sparked conversations about mental health, helped reduce stigma and encouraged people to seek support.

Medibank Chief Executive Officer David Koczkar said today’s announcement reflects Medibank’s commitment to improve mental health outcomes across Australia.

“As one of Australia’s largest health companies, we see the human cost of the escalating mental health crisis and want to play a meaningful part of the solution,” Mr Koczkar said.

“At Medibank, we believe mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness and we’re proud to support Spud’s Game that brings communities together around such an important cause, as almost half of us will face mental ill-health at some point in our life.

“Everyone involved in Spud’s Game - the AFL, St Kilda Football Club, the Danny Frawley Community, Black Dog Institute and Medibank - all share a deep commitment to improve mental health, reduce stigma and help Australians feel supported, connected and confident to seek help.

“Together, we’re working towards the same goal – making mental health and wellbeing a priority for every Australian and ensuring no one feels they have to go through challenges alone.”

As an official health partner of the AFLW over the past two years, Medibank is also thrilled that Spud’s Game this year coincides with the first AFL and AFLW double-header round and officially launching the AFLW season in 2026.

St Kilda Football Club CEO Carl Dilena said: “Spud’s Game has become one of the most important and powerful mental health initiatives in Australian sport, and in 2026 we’re incredibly proud to take it to another level alongside the Danny Frawley Community, Black Dog Institute, AFL, AFLW and our new partner Medibank.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Medibank as our Official Health Partner for Spud’s Game 6. Their genuine commitment to preventative mental health and community wellbeing aligns strongly with what we’re building, and we look forward to working together to make this year’s campaign bigger and more impactful than ever before.”

The partnership builds on Medibank’s recently announced $50 million additional investment in mental health, which is focused on prevention, early intervention and improving access to support for Australians.

As part of that announcement, Medibank announced it was collaborating with mental health organisations, including Black Dog, to work together to find solutions.

In 2024, Medibank announced a three-year partnership as an official health partner of the AFLW. Spud’s Game will be played at Marvel Stadium on Sunday 9 August, starting with AFLW game St Kilda Saints v Carlton Blues at 4.35pm then the AFL St Kilda Saints vs Carlton Blues at 7.20pm.