The last few weeks have been somewhat bemusing to onlookers as the AFL continues to demonstrate an inability to act decisively and in a manner reasonable to almost any educated onlooker.
The Cats
Lets take the Cats for example. The AFL released the findings from its KC and the Commission effectively whitewashing the entire concussion waiver scenario. They may as well have released a blank piece of paper with “nothing to see here” scrawled on it. Cop a fine – 140k. All done, everyone go back to your seats (the Cats turned a profit of 8m+ over the last two seasons)
And you see its all ok, because the AFL knew all along! Just never got the paperwork – not intentional of course, just the waiver never quite made it to HQ. Never mind that these side deals arent supposed to be made, and the optics of this are just bad in light of the fact that the AFL is currently in the midst of a court case dealing with how it treats concussion. One wonders what Worksafe think of this development.
We can overlook the AFL Chairman being President of Geelong when this all went down – he was evidently excluded from discussions on this. We can overlook Steven Hocking and Tom Harleys comments and involvement, both AFL executives now or then, and we can even overlook the fact the Patrick Dangerfield heads up the AFLPA…and plays for Geelong. Nothing to see here. Nothing at all.
The statement was received with the widespread incredulity it deserved.
The Swans
Ive refrained from commenting much on this. Sexual Assault is what Victoria Police are investigating and theres nothing of public substance really to add to the matter. One cant take media reports with any degree of reliability as they seem to add new rumours and innuendos as the days go on, some of which directly contradict earlier reports.
The Swans have suspended the players for code of conduct breaches. Victoria Police are investigating a report of Sexual Assault. The AFL is waiting for the outcome of the investigation before taking further action. These are the only real facts we know.
“Newsbreakers” whether in the print media, tv punditry or influencers are a plague upon our heads.
The number of people in the room, who those people were, number of people interviewed, whether they were interviewed at all, the nature of the assault itself have all been subject to media reporting and social media commentary. The women involved have for some reason been named, workplaces found, and in one odd report, even the cost of their services was apparently reasonable reporting. The players partners have been named, and apparently chased papparazzi style.
Its an abomination and one of the many reasons I dont usually write about scandals and rumours.
Lowkey announcements
The AFL has announced the AFLW Grand Final will be held on a Friday night in late November with no major stadium attached. Marvel and most oval stadiums will be configured for cricket or concerts and will be unavailable, so we are likely to see the AFLWs decider held at another training facility like Ikon Park or suburban ground.
The timing of the announcement, midway through a final was a little weird too.
Also Im tired of seeing the AFLW sell out postage sized grounds that are mostly club training offices like Ikon Park. The women deserve better.
Honestly, we should sell the game to Adelaide, maybe Perth. The SA Premier has a wild appetite for footy and the grand final attendances at Adelaide Oval have been stellar in the past. More the SA Government has the power to commandeer the Oval for special events outside of SACA and SANFL commitments.
Wildcard Finals
Best for last. Last night was attended by 81,000 at the MCG and watched by 966,000 on Seven. These are good numbers, if not stellar. Its possible these figures will be outdone tonight.
Dont really get the detractors of wildcard final weekend. Its more footy for a start, and I for one, actually like footy. The league went from a final 4, to final 5, to final 6 to final 8 and the world somehow kept turning, and people somehow managed to survive. Life will go on with a final 10.
That opinion may change pending the results of tonights game. #GOBLUES
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