Brendan Fevola of Brisbane looks on after a loss in the AFL Round 12 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images
The Brisbane Lions, like Carlton before them, are starting to lose the battle to justify having Brendan Fevola at their club. Yesterday they suspended the star forward indefinitely pending an investigation into alleged indecent exposure, but the issues with keeping Fev don’t stop there.
The Lions received an official complaint on Tuesday about the alleged incident, which they say took place at a non-club function over the weekend.
Alarmingly, a report on the Herald Sun website suggests Fevola “allegedly exposed himself to a married mother of four after luring her to a car with the promise of a free football for her children.”
Fevola is denying any inappropriate behaviour, it has to be said. The allegations are, at this stage, just that – allegations.
Despite this, however, the Lions were certainly on the front foot yesterday – as were the “extremely concerned” AFL – and it hasn’t taken long for questions to be raised about his future.
The situation for Fev hasn’t been helped by the timing of this story and certain factors beyond his control.
On Tuesday, Michael Rischitelli, one of the players offered up as trade bait in order to snare Fevola, announced he was leaving the Lions for the Gold Coast Suns. Another player affected by the trade, Daniel Bradshaw, left the club not long after a trade deal had been reached, and has been a star (when uninjured) for Sydney this season.
While the Lions are unable to change the past, the cost of Fevola may not stop at losing Rischitelli, Bradshaw and the player eventually traded to the Blues, Lachie Henderson. Especially considering his contract is reportedly back-ended and worth as much as $950,000 in each of the next two seasons.
The Lions are currently facing some salary cap pressure, with Josh Drummond, Simon Black and Luke Power named as players that could be forced out. On Monday, one Melbourne journo even cheekily suggested Fev take a pay cut because of the cap situation.
Other financial considerations, with the club facing a $2 million loss and a cut to football department spending, may also come in to play if any further action is to be taken.
Then, of course, there’s all the off-field issues that Fevola seems unable to escape.
This year, he’s confessed to a gambling addiction and there was the Lara Bingle nude photo story. His record at Carlton before that was long and well documented, right up to that infamous Brownlow Medal night last year, where his drunken antics used up his final warning at his original AFL club.
The other factor that hurts Fev is his troubled season on the field. Despite a groin injury, he kicked 48 goals from 17 games – however he was nowhere near his Coleman Medal-winning form of 2009 or his 99-goal effort in 2008.
All things put together, it’s hard not to think Fev’s career could be coming to an end.
At the very least, he’s now firmly on the same path he was on at Carlton, and every headline is bringing him one step closer to being booted out. Who’s to say he hasn’t played his last game?
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Forgetmenot said | September 9th 2010 @ 1:36am | Report comment
People like Fevola should not be allowed to play top level football. The AFL needs to make a stand and show the world that they only want people of good character playing the game at the top level in this country.
It is despicable that someone of an IQ as low as Fevolas is a role model to hundreds of thousands of kids around the world.
Mals said | September 9th 2010 @ 7:55am | Report comment
I think it is less about a low IQ (is this documented anywhere) but more to do with behavioural issues i.e. excessive drinking, childish antics/pranks, lack of respect for women & gambling addiction.
Forgetmenot said | September 9th 2010 @ 11:24pm | Report comment
ok … poorly educated then. How about a minimum score required on the year ten exams or year 12 certificate?
amazonfan said | September 10th 2010 @ 4:37am | Report comment
Fevola is no saint, and if he did what he was accused of he should be punished, but to say that he shouldn’t be allowed to play, when he hasn’t even been found guilty, is absurd. It’s presuming him guilty straight off. Furthermore, while his IQ may not be high, I don’t think it’s fair to say that he isn’t of ‘good character.’ He’s not a bad man.
Jkwannasee said | September 9th 2010 @ 9:15am | Report comment
Unfortunately, players want to be afl players and that’s it… It is the media that try and turn them into heroes…
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Kento said | September 9th 2010 @ 9:16am | Report comment
If true, he must go. Totally unacceptable for a high profile athlete.
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Lu said | September 9th 2010 @ 9:26am | Report comment
to lose of the players like we did and possible more through salary cap pressures.. to ask club champions black and power to take pay cut.. all this for a problem child.. i think it’s time for voss and the lions to admit we made a mistake and cut him loose.. we don’t need this kind of problem..
Michael DiFabrizio said | September 9th 2010 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Tough year to be a Lions supporter, Lu. Another bad year and the pressure will really be on Voss and the Lions, especially with the new club down the road (Gold Coast) not doing much wrong.
Redb said | September 9th 2010 @ 9:34am | Report comment
I find it ridiculous as some have suggested on Melbourne radio that the Lions have manufactured this situation with Fevola to assist with the salary cap issue.
Of course it will help if a troubled player earning 700 large gets the flick, but for the Lions it is damaging to their brand to have any involvement in a sex related misdemeanor. If anything the Lions would have created an issue with his gambling problems as the reason to flick him for the conspiracy theory to stack up.
Admittedly, some of the early ‘facts’ don’t all add up according to some, middle of the day, no grog involved,etc. He has been hung, drawn and quartered in the media already due to his past record. Probably fair enough given its not out of the question that Fevola would get himself in this situation.
He flatly denies any wrong doing, but this wouldn’t be the first time Fevola is in denial. Let’s see all the facts but if true even in a minor way, Fevola deserves to be de-registered.
Michael DiFabrizio said | September 9th 2010 @ 11:57am | Report comment
Redb, with the way Fev and his management are denying it, and with Troy Selwood (who was there) backing him, and with the ‘facts’ that you’ve outlined not completely adding up … it seems as though at the very least, certain aspects of the story are dodgy.
On the other hand, you can point to the club’s strong stance yesterday (after speaking to other players at the event) instead of backing their own player, and the club insisting “We will be taking action”, and what the AFL have said, and (sadly) Fev’s prior record … and it seems all very plausible.
It’s a tough story to tackle, but you’re right to say that even if what’s reported is true in only a minor way, Fev is in strife.
Redb said | September 9th 2010 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
MD,
The problem is we are all fed up with Fev.
It’s a shame becuase on his day, he was a great contested mark and a freak near goal. ‘Flawed genius’ is often used to describe such sporting characters, but in Fev’s case, genius is way way too much of a stretch.
Michael DiFabrizio said | September 9th 2010 @ 7:52pm | Report comment
Agree with that. An absolutely great talent, on his day.
Redb said | September 10th 2010 @ 10:30am | Report comment
There are now witness reports that back up Fev.
Mick Gold Coast QLD said | September 10th 2010 @ 8:12pm | Report comment
As does his manager. His manager.
I’m to be convinced by that?!?!?! Or do I consider his form, some of it broadcast live on national TV?
Mathew said | September 9th 2010 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Fev is just incapable of staying out of trouble. He tries to position himself as someone who’s moved on and “grown up”. That’s what he tried to say when he arrived at the Lions, he tried to smooth things over on the footy show the other week too. But has he actually grown up or for that matter, learned anything?
If proven correct, this latest allegation should ruin his career. If not, you suspect it’s only a matter of time.
As for the Lions, what a horrible trade that was… gets rid of Bradshaw, etc. and gives them a great big contract they can’t pay. Nice work, Vossy!
macavity said | September 9th 2010 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
I reckon he should move to the UK, and play week about with Mason for Hull KR. Whoever is rostered off can hop over to France, Germany, wherever they want!
The poms wont be able to tell them apart, and Mason only turns up half the time anyway, so it won’t impact performance on the park.
Fev, you could see the world and split a wage with Willie – what have you got to lose!
Redb said | September 9th 2010 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
Or they could team up and start a new Foxtel channel ‘Dumb Blokes World’.
beaver fever said | September 10th 2010 @ 9:51am | Report comment
Yes, yes, the reverse Folau !!.
damos_x said | September 9th 2010 @ 3:28pm | Report comment
Firstly I’ll say that I follow Carlton & was glad to see the back of the guy so my bias is obvious.
They guy is clearly a di–head & this observation is not drawn from the trouble he gets in but the fact that even in a professional football environment where you are surrounded by blokes just like you he obviously makes no friends & thus has no-one to tell/help him before he goes too far.
There is no-one around who gives a shit to be bothered to help him out & that speaks volumes about what goes on in a day to day situation & the effect he has on those who get close to him.
Of course one could say that people have tried & given up when it had no effect, so someone did care but it didn’t work, all the more evidence of just what an idiot the bloke is.
I don’t expect these guys to be role models, actually the opposite with me, my experience is that they are more likely to be the wankers than normal, but I wonder what goes on when one club in the AFL can have a no dickheads policy ( ironic they became long serving club hero Bradshaw’s new home ) & another can welcome one with open arms & yet seem surprised when it becomes apparent that the fool you saw & heard of really was a fool & how come we didn’t notice ?
From a club which has the team that has to be the greatest ever to not even being a team, the Lions were seen as possible contenders if it all came together for them. Bet they can’t wait to see the first of Fev’s new & improved back-enders start hitting the balance sheet.
McNulty said | September 9th 2010 @ 5:48pm | Report comment
Bring him back to Carlton. That would be like Elvis coming back from the dead.
If we can get him back and firing, it would make the Blues forward line very intimidating.
Ratten has not taken the team forward this season. We need him back.
BTW, Voss should be sacked at Brisbane. If he was coaching in an AFL state, his head would be on the block now. He is a blessed man.
Paul J said | September 9th 2010 @ 6:24pm | Report comment
I’m confused by the $2 million loss for the Lions, and i think they lost about $750K last year, when they avg about 30K per game?
Michael DiFabrizio said | September 9th 2010 @ 7:50pm | Report comment
Hi Paul, the $2 million figure was sourced from the following article, which I linked to when mentioning the figure: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/brisbane-lions-failure-of-a-season-gets-worse/story-e6frepf6-1225914008708
Cheers.
Paul J said | September 10th 2010 @ 7:45am | Report comment
Thanks Michael
It must cost a lot to run a footy team. I assumed 30K avg for crowds would keep you in the black.