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The past decade has seen a rise in poor off-field behaviour amongst footballers contrived by media scrutiny. It has been popularised by a narcissistic Australian public who continually consume tabloid at the detriment of the player. So in these times of targeted journalism, do players have any chance of earning moral retribution?
Following a 10 goal performance for Casey, Brendan Fevola has suggested he is still capable of manhandling AFL talent, bringing his tally to 43 goals over his past six games.
Speculation has mounted over the possibility of an AFL club offering him a third chance at AFL level.
Ben Cousins, Jason Akermanis and Wayne Carey have all featured extensively in the media after being offered second chances but none can categorically be called success stories, on moral grounds at least.
Some have applauded Cousins for his ability to return to peak fitness to play out two seasons, returning somewhat dignity to his name.
Others may have forgotten that unruly night in a Brisbane hotel room which cost Daniel Conners an eight game club suspension. Conners has not played a game this season after a promising 2010. Young players remain impressionable and clubs may be putting young players at risk by recruiting troubled veterans.
To give an idea of the kind of coverage Fevola is expected, this ‘article’ draws attention to Cousins getting a haircut.
“Fevola enters McDonalds – Club officials concerned over fitness”, this one must be on simmer.
He’s been out of the game for one year and Jason Akermanis routinely features in the Herald Sun where he now hosts own weekly webcast.
Speaking the honest truths other media identities fear, Akermanis is the ideal example of deliberative controversy.
Whether he is playing country football or serving it up to the Bulldogs (again), Akermanis joins Jeff Kennett in the category of ‘AFL rent-a-quote’s’. Unfortunately, this did not commence post-career to the detriment of the Western Bulldogs.
Spruiking headlines during his playing days for alleged rifts between players and coaches, there was never any privacy when it came to Akermanis which ultimately led to his downfall.
Despite self imposed media bans and restructured club policies, journalists continuously hounded Akermanis for a few one liners.
How do you get them to stop? Give them a headline.
Akermanis raises ethical dilemmas concerning the state of journalism in the Australian sports industry. A lack of the fourth estate further demonstrates the irrelevance of ethics when newspapers want to sell papers by hyperbolising headlines.
Maintaining what the football community would consider a private lifestyle following his stint as a panel member on Footy Classified, Wayne Carey has done little to damage his reputation. Preferring to be remembered for his playing days rather than the way he left North Melbourne, few will recall the impact he made playing for Adelaide.
Rightfully avoiding the media, Carey adds no fuel to the fire he burned. This is an understanding of the media industry. There is no way of avoiding your past when in the public eye so best avoid it.
Some may consider it a coincidence but the signing of Glen Archer to the Footy Classified panel following Carey’s departure was a strategic move to increase ratings through potential conflict.
Unknowingly to the staff at Channel Nine, the introverted nature of Archer meant this strategy blew up in their face.
To this day, football writers recognise, put Carey and Archer in the same headline and readers will increase exponentially.
In no way am I questioning the intellect of Fevola, but it takes a lot of mental energy and ego sacrifice to stay silent for a long time.
Journalists have made a living out of provoking responses through selective language and if the red card Fevola got while playing for Narre Warren is anything to go by, he appears easily provoked.
Outside of football, “Warne”. It’s baffling the amount of times that name appears in the front page of Australian newspaper regarding matters relevant only to trash-mags.
While I acknowledge the ironies associated with me writing a piece about the media drawing attention to controversial player history, it would be remised of me not to draw attention to those who have overcome issues successfully.
Allegedly linked to the underworld of Perth, Michael Gardiner was fortunate to have the limelight reflected towards Ben Cousins at the time.
Thrown a lifeline by St Kilda, Gardiner led their ruck division to bring St Kilda 12 points away from a premiership and personal retribution.
Following a two year prison sentance for assault, Andrew Krakouer proved his value to the football world by dominating the WAFL upon release before cementing a spot in the hardest team to do so, Collingwood. On track to win his first premiership, there have been no signs of Krakouer slipping up.
Whether Fevola is offered another chance or not, the first three cases show how unrelenting the Australian sports media industry is when it comes to proverbial human headlines. Having shown his physically capable of playing at the top level, only questions regarding his mental commitment remain.
No matter what journalists and columnists say, there is more to be gained by his failure than success.
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