So we’ve been told tonight’s episode of The Footy Show will include an ‘explosive’ and ‘unmissable’ interview with fallen star Brendon Fevola. This just days after he started his long and ambitious journey back to the AFL by joining in training with VFL club Casey Scorpions.
I never really know what to expect from Fevola, but I get the feeling the recently out-of-contract full forward might take the opportunity of the TFS interview to take aim at a few people.
Maybe TFS duo Craig Hutchison and Damian Barrett have been spruiking it up on Twitter, but I’m sure plenty of people will tune in to see what is essentially Fevola in his early stages of hopefully reforming into an AFL footballer again.
One thing the Ben Cousins episode taught us about the AFL is that the code loves a happy ending.
Cousins going through hell and coming out the other side and appearing as a reformed and, dare I say, rehabilitated person was a positive news story, for something potentially damaging and negative for the code.
If Fevola can do the same, then Demetriou and his counterparts at AFL HQ will be smiling. But the former Coleman Medallist has a long way to go.
And unlike Cousins (who was 29 when he was sacked by West Coast), 30-year-old Fevola is looking for a third chance at AFL footy.
It’s fair to say the likes of Cousins, Wayne Carey and Barry Hall all had their doubters when they were looking for new clubs in the twilight of their respective careers after falling out with their previous clubs in acromonious circumstances.
But Fevola probably takes the cake with the doubters. The doubt is based on his long list of transgressions and his failure to ever learn from them.
And he will need to learn if he’s to earn the confidence of an AFL club for the 2012 season.
First of all he’s got to get his life back on track and I genuinely hope he can do that, but his management company Velocity Sports have also been talking up a return to AFL ranks in 2012.
In my opinion the early indications of a Fevola AFL return aren’t particularly encouraging.
Velocity are doing all they can to be positive about a return to AFL in 2012, but the player himself isn’t giving the same indications (of course, Velocity have kept him quiet since he left rehab on Monday).
Yes, he’s done his almost customary rehab stint to shake off his problems but it’s hard to read too much into the effect of that, particularly when you read he’ll be taking medication which makes him seriously ill if he touches alcohol.
Even Channel Nine’s own Dr Peter Larkins said it seemed to be an extreme measure, usually designed for someone with an addiction or dependancy condition.
The medical information we’ve received is Fevola is not addicted to alcohol. Now I’m no expert on these sorts of things, but you’d have thought after all these transgressions essentially resulting from poor judgement under the influence, Fevola might be mentally prepared to commit to giving the drink a miss to get his life back on track.
Maybe it’s thought mentally Fevola cannot shake the booze without such drastic measures. Maybe it’s simply a safeguard. But to me, that’s a sign of where his mind is at and he doesn’t seem focused and determined as you’d hope. But it is early days.
As well – and maybe I’m reading too much into this – Velocity issued a statement on Monday stating the ex-Carlton star would be heading overseas after his two-week trial with Casey Scorpions to weigh up his future.
I’d have thought after a 66-day stint in rehabilitation he might have made a few decisions about what he wants out of life already.
Maybe his mind was on other things in rehab and maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I’d have thought if he really wanted to play AFL footy in 2012 he would have prefered to stay in Australia and focus on getting his life and footy career back on track.
Then again maybe the guy needs time, but given his history with learning from his mistakes it’s hard to think any more time or an overseas trip will be the catalyst for a new and reformed Fevola.
After what he’s been through, hitting ‘rock bottom’ following his public humiliation and axing by the Brisbane Lions, you’d have thought it’d be enough to inspire the determination needed.
Determination and a steely resolve is what will be required in Fevola if he is to make a comeback to AFL ranks in 2012, because he’s got a long way to go to restore his reputation and win over other AFL clubs.
Already AFL club Melbourne Demons have shown they won’t be entertaining any thoughts of recruiting Fevola in 2012 after telling Casey, their VFL affiliate club, not to sign him up for the sake of their young players, despite the usual benefits a seasoned AFL player might offer.
Fevola’s challenge is to prove to AFL clubs he’s worth a chance and that won’t be easy given his history.
Velocity have looked after Fevola’s PR since he left rehab on Monday (and will probably stage-manage his whole comeback attempt) and restricted his interviews exclusively to The Footy Show. So Thursday’s night interview will be an interesting insight into where he’s at.
Ultimately where his head’s at is the key, as much as Velocity will say he’s ‘fair dinkum’ and ‘committed’, Fevola needs to prove it.
AFL clubs have offered career lifelines before, but the player has got to be determined enough to earn them in the first place. At this stage, I’m not convinced Fevola is.
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