The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

Two major sporting codes and two major stuff-ups

16th March, 2015
Advertisement
Expert
16th March, 2015
57
3254 Reads

The major sporting codes in this country are always trying to outdo each other. This week two of them simply imitated each other with displays of mind-blowing ineptitude.

Both the AFL and Cricket Australia have certainly failed to cover themselves in glory. From what we know, both could have easily avoided the embarrassment that has beset them.

Let’s start with the AFL.

Fremantle champion Ryan Crowley faced the media yesterday to explain that he had returned a positive result to a game-day drug test last July. The club stressed that it would stand by their man, who is awaiting a tribunal date.

They went on to explain that to their knowledge the drug in question was contained in a painkiller that Crowley chose to use without consulting any of the club’s medical staff as is mandated.

Crowley’s actions border on straight-out stupidity given the amount of education that elite athletes have regarding performance enhancing substances.

However, in the end, Crowley’s fate will be determined by the AFL Tribunal, which at some point may feel the need to sit and hear the matter.

Following the Fremantle media conference, the AFL released a timeline that mapped out the procedural matters to date with respect to the case.

Advertisement

It reads like this:

– Sample collection July 13
– A Test result August 11
– Player told of A Test result August 18
– B Test result September 11
– Show Cause Notice issued September 18
– Provisional ban commenced September 25

It took around 10 weeks from the time the test was undertaken until the provisional ban was handed down.

We are now in the 25th week since that suspension took effect and according to the Dockers they are hopeful of a tribunal hearing in the next few weeks.

Well that’s nice isn’t it?

This delay sits wholly and solely with the AFL, as ASADA’s role – with the exception of providing evidence at the tribunal – ended in September last year.

The league has annual revenue in an excess of $450m – it is big business as it keeps telling us. Yet for some reason it has not been able to set up a tribunal hearing to hear one player’s case.

Advertisement

Yes, we know the Essendon saga has seemingly run longer than Neighbours and it has occupied the time of many at AFL HQ, but a six-month wait for a fair hearing for Crowley is ludicrous.

We now wait with bated breath to see just when the AFL will deign it necessary to convene a hearing.

And now to Cricket Australia.

The final round of Sheffield Shield fixtures concluded yesterday, resulting in Victoria earning the right to host the final against Western Australia.

Unfortunately the MCG is off limits because of the World Cup Final, and the second-choice Melbourne venue, the Junction Oval, is deemed to be not at the necessary standard to host a first-class fixture.

One would have thought that the matter from there was a simple one to sort out, as the situation is clearly set out in the competition’s 2014-15 Playing Conditions:

“The team that finished first on the points table at the conclusion of the preliminary matches shall earn the right to host the final at a suitable first class venue within its state, provided that this venue is acceptable to Cricket Australia. Should the team waive this right, the choice shall be offered to the team that finished second. Otherwise the decision shall be made by Cricket Australia.”

Advertisement

Pretty straightforward?

The WACA was awaiting a phone call to be offered the hosting rights, but it never came. Instead, the domestic showcase will be staged at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Not surprisingly, the Warriors and their management are up in arms. CA has uprooted the goalposts and moved them quite a distance.

Surely the whole point of penning the season’s playing conditions in the first place was to set out plainly and openly the way the competition would be run?

Obviously not.

Two sports and two stuff-ups. In nature, the issues at hand may be apples and oranges, but in reality neither should have been able to reach the stage they have.

Supporters should expect – and receive – better.

Advertisement
close