Brendan Fevola gets a hand pass away under pressure from Daniel Bradshaw during the AFL Women's Round 11 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues at the Gabba.The Slattery Media Group
Trading Brendan Fevola was never going to solve all of Carlton’s off-field problems. Fevola was given a number of chances by the Blues but, as they say, a leopard never changes its spots. One gets the feeling the club won’t be as patient with Andrew Walker, Ryan Houlihan and Eddie Betts.
President Stephen Kernahan must have been fuming when first told of the events of at the club’s boat cruise on December 19.
Houlihan and Walker, somehow, attracted the attention of Crown Casino security, while Betts was arrested for being drunk. If any of that trio misbehaves again, they will be delisted (and should be).
On top of the $5000 fines already issued, Carlton yesterday suspended them from the club for a month. They are also ineligible for selection in the pre-season NAB Cup competition.
Kernahan, again, emphasised the importance of player behaviour yesterday. And captain Chris Judd, appropriately, cited the impact that drinking excessively has had in the community.
But how many times can the players be told the same thing?
It is like a case of a school kid who gives his teacher constant grief. But these are grown men that we are dealing with. Don’t blame the club or the leadership group – blame the culprits.
AFL players can drink. They are not robots, but you can drink without being a buffoon.
On the surface, Carlton appears to have a problem when you factor in the actions of Fevola and others. But these individuals have all the resources available to them, and they are on big money. Most importantly, they are grown men. They should know longer need a helping hand at every corner.
In handing down yesterday’s penalties, Carlton faced a tough call. If they did nothing, they would have been seen as too soft.
If they suspended (or delisted) the trio for the rest of the season, that hurts the club. The actions of these players, in the end, only hurt the club – both on and off the field.
It tarnishes reputations and sponsors can refuse to put money into a tarnished brand. The penalties should send a message. The club has taken away what is most important to these players – football.
Judd summed it up best yesterday when he said: “We understand the privilege and opportunity that comes with playing AFL football.”
Well, most players do. Some do not.
We didn’t hear much out of Geelong and St.Kilda over the Christmas period. There will always be one or two bad eggs in the pack, but football is like a business and you need to weed out the weak links. It is not about club culture. It is about an individual’s conduct and respect for their employer.
St. Kilda’s Andrew Lovett showed this earlier this year when he attracted the attention of Police after a night out. In the end, he became too much for Essendon to handle. Can the Saints change him?
The Blues will hope this is the last of their off-field troubles this season.
On the field, they will be without Judd for the first three rounds. When you combine that with a difficult draw and a revamped forward half, it will be a challenging season.
The last thing they need is ill-discipline from those who represent them.
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The Blues have truly stood up and are a genuine flag threat in 2024 and they have their younger brigade of troops to thank for it.
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
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