Teamwork is fundamental component for AFL footballers – on and off the field.

For Adam McPhee, his wife Bree forms an integral part of his support network away from the club.

Together the couple raise baby Taj, manage a clothing boutique, and are involved in the family’s TASER business. All the while, they are riding the highs and lows of Adam’s football career.

But for Bree, the rigours of life as the wife of an AFL player are made a lot easier due to Adam’s supportive nature.

Having a supportive partner makes things very easy,” she said.

“I thrive on the routine, structured and healthy lifestyle that a professional sportsperson has to lead.  We do plan our lives around football every day, all year round,"" she said.

“Adam is extremely committed to what he does 24/7. He lives every day like he is preparing for a game, approaching each training session and each game with the highest competitiveness and professionalism.”

After becoming a father to baby Taj in September last year, Adam has thrived on the extra duties at home.

“Being a father is a great experience and it gets better every day,” Adam said.

“Taj just started calling me Dad two weeks ago so that was a really special experience for me.

“Running through the banner with Taj during my milestone game was another highlight. I think it is something we will enjoy later on when he is a little bit older and we can watch the DVD together.”

According to Bree, Adam is just as diligent off the field as he is on it.

“My favourite part is the free time Adam gets during the day in between sessions or when he’s home early,” she said.

“Adam’s a very hands-on father and never misses ‘bath time’ when he’s home early. While I’m feeding Taj he’ll get dinner ready or do some washing if I haven’t had time which is great! If he is home during the day Taj loves him singing nursery rhymes, reading books and playing games.

“If they play on a Friday we always go down the beach for a little getaway and midseason there is a break where we usually go to Port Douglas or Daylesford.  Adam still trains (minus the meetings) during this break but it allows for a lot of quality family time.”

But life as the wife of an AFL player is not always easy as they endure the scrutiny they and their partners come under by the media and general public.

“It can be quite uncomfortable when people are not very subtle if they recognise Adam and point, stare or talk,” she said.

“It’s something we try to ignore. Although sometimes, not too often, people can be quite aggressively verbal and rude towards Adam but for every person like that there are 100 gorgeous kids that make up for it and are excited to meet Adam and get a signature.”

The wives and girlfriends of the playing group provide a strong support network for one another, often meeting at the games.

“I love catching up with the other girls at games, usually in between quarters and in the rooms afterwards,” she said.

“Some of these girls have shifted interstate with their partners, husband and families and know very few people in Victoria. It could be quite daunting if there was little support from other women around the club. 

“There are lots of babies at EFC now and more on the way! Outside of football we often catch up with Adam and Belinda Ramanauskas who had Aidan last year, Courtney Dempsey and Danielle who have Chenae and Alwyn and Janelle Davey who have three gorgeous boys. Taj will have a ball with them once he can join in kicking the footy around in the rooms after games.

“There’s lots of support and help around – it’s like a big mothers group meeting sometimes.”

Next week the AFL will celebrate the contribution women make to football in a specially themed Women’s Round.

“Women’s Round is about recognising women’s contributions to the game and hopefully encouraging more women to be involved in the sport and from that point of view, I think it’s a great idea,”Adam said.

“Bree would probably be my biggest support network and in terms of what she does for me, she is amazing.

“She knows the ups and downs of my career and does everything possible to fit in around my schedule.”

Adam and Bree own Sekushi clothing boutique on Mount Alexander road in Moonee Ponds.

“During the TASER course I was shot for 5 seconds - which Adam has also done,” Bree said.

“It was a breeze compared to labour.”