Footy greats on topic that grates Jill Stark
February 6, 2011 
Matthew and Alan Richardson RICHMOND legend Matthew ''Richo'' Richardson is urging men to ''talk about their tackle'' in a new campaign to boost awareness of erectile dysfunction, infertility, prostate problems and testicular cancer.
The retired Tigers goalkicker will be joined by his father, Alan, a former Richmond premiership player, in TV advertisements warning men they could be risking their lives by ignoring issues concerning their ''bits below the belt''.
The Richardsons have teamed with men's reproductive health group Andrology Australia, which says erection problems are often a sign of more serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Testicular cancer is also on the rise, with staff at the community and education organisation saying men are so reluctant to seek help it is not uncommon for them to present with lumps in their testes the size of oranges.
Half of all Australian men will suffer prostate issues, one in five over the age of 40 will have erectile problems and about one in 20 are infertile.
Matthew Richardson told The Sunday Age he had friends and extended family members who had suffered prostate problems and other reproductive health issues, which prompted his involvement in the ''Talk about your tackle'' campaign.
''Men don't like talking about problems below the belt and it's a bit of a taboo area, but I think it's a problem we really have to address,'' he said.
Although younger men are becoming more aware of their reproductive health, he said it was not something he had discussed with teammates in his playing days. ''You'd talk about it lightheartedly in the performance issues stakes, for sure. But in the reproductive area below the belt, it's sort of an ego issue with guys and you probably don't want to talk about it. Hopefully, this campaign will encourage more guys to get a hold of these problems early and to get out and have a check-up with your local GP, go and have a blood test and not to be afraid to speak about it.''
The advertisement shows father and son sitting at the breakfast table, with Alan Richardson repeatedly trying to bring up a sensitive subject only to reply ''nothing'' each time his son asks him what is wrong. A voice-over then warns men that if they are having problems with their tackle, the longer they say nothing the greater the risk there will be nothing a doctor can do about it.
Andrology Australia director Rob McLachlan said early intervention saved lives.
''If you're concerned that you're having trouble passing your wee or your erections are not as strong as they used to be, at some point in time you've got to do more than just keep an eye on it,'' said Professor McLachlan, an endocrinologist. ''If a man's [got] failing erections it may be an indicator he's at risk of heart problems because the blood vessels that affect the penis and cause erection problems can also affect the heart.''
The campaign will be launched in April to coincide with the early rounds of the AFL season.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/footy-greats-on-topic-that-grates-20110205-1ahsz.html
