Port Adelaide defender Matthew Broadbent has been given a leave of absence from playing, joining a growing list of players taking a break from the AFL with mental health issues.

Key points: Matthew Broadbent returned to the AFL on May 11 after 18 months out with ankle injuries

Matthew Broadbent returned to the AFL on May 11 after 18 months out with ankle injuries Port coach Ken Hinkley says the club will give him time and space to recover

Port coach Ken Hinkley says the club will give him time and space to recover Several other AFL players have suffered similar problems in recent years

The club said it would allow the 28-year-old to focus on his health and wellbeing.

Broadbent only returned to the AFL four weeks ago after missing more than 18 months through injury.

Port coach Ken Hinkley said Broadbent was "brave" to stand up and talk about his issues.

"We understand them and we understand the challenges of mental health," he said.

"We all get it — we don't discriminate — there's no right or wrong time to have those moments and Broggsy has done some really good work over the last couple of years.

"He's dealt with a fair bit and he's back playing football but it's still a challenge for him. We'll give him the time and we'll give him the space now and we'll respect that privacy that he's asked for and we'll look after him."

Broadbent returned for the Showdown on May 11 after playing his last game in July 2017.

The Power's next game is against Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.

Port Adelaide players Justin Westhoff, Brett Ebert and Matthew Broadbent hang their heads after losing a match in 2012. ( AAP Image: Ben Macmahon )

Club to offer support for Broadbent

In a statement, the Power said it would not put a timeframe on how long Broadbent needs and when he will return.

"Matthew is a valued player, teammate and person at the Port Adelaide Football Club," football general manager Chris Davies said.

"At this point, the best option for his overall health is to step away from the game for a while.

"The club's primary focus is on Matthew's health and welfare and we will continue to provide him with the ongoing support he requires."

Broadbent first suffered the ankle injury that has kept him out of the AFL during training in June 2017.

At the time, coach Ken Hinkley predicted he would only miss one match.

He played two SANFL games in 2018.

He injured his other ankle in the second game, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Port Adelaide posted a video on its Facebook page of team members congratulating him on his return in May.

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Not the first to be out because of mental health

St Kilda star Jack Steven started an extended break from the AFL last month to manage his mental health, with the club unsure when he would return.

He returned to the club for the first time on Tuesday.

Sydney Swans spearhead Lance Franklin stepped away from playing duties in 2015, while Western Bulldogs premiership winner Tom Boyd took a break in 2017.

Heath Grundy, Travis Cloke, and Alex Fasolo have also been granted leave in the past few years to deal with their mental health.

Fremantle's Jesse Hogan did not play in round one of the AFL season because he was suffering from clinical anxiety, which the Dockers cited as being responsible for him "making poor decisions around alcohol consumption".