Collingwood leader Luke Ball believes that O'Brien's honesty has given everyone a chance to reflect on their own circumstances.   

"When these sorts of things happen, it's important for all of us who haven't been through things like Harry has been through to reflect on how lucky we are," Ball said.

"I can't possibly imagine what he is feeling and I am not going to try to judge him or think that he should be feeling a certain way."

Ball said O'Brien was a vital part of the team and when he was ready he would slot straight into the line-up.

"It's all about supporting him as a person and as a mate and also letting him know that hopefully the way out is to hopefully play footy and do what he does best," Ball said.

Ball, who will play his 200th game against Adelaide on Friday night, said that Collingwood’s busy week,  underscored by the issues plaguing Harry O’Brien, had not been disruptive for him personally.

Collingwood CEO Gary Pert said AFL clubs were much better equipped to deal with issues such as Harry O’Brien’s issues than they had been in the past and he was proud of the way everyone at Collingwood had managed the past week.

"Harry will be back playing when it is deemed by his support team and Nathan Buckley that is appropriate that he back," Pert said.