Yes/no.
For some kids, giving them structure, a future, realising pontetial is what they need...for SOME kids.
For others, it doesn't.
There are no 'one size fits all' answers.
Hence why posters who talk about a club's culture when a player loses his way have no idea what they are talking about. I defy anyone to identify an AFL club (outside of the soon to arrive Gold Coast Suns) that hasn't had players lose their way whilst on the playing list.
AFL clubs are no better at dealing with troubled youth than any other organisation which deals with a cross section of young people.