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?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I read yesterday the Victorian Police Stay in the Office with Hands Over Eyes Service is not proceeding with charges on behaviour at last year’s Brownlow because they’d waited too long to do the paperwork and the delay was unfair to the “accusee”. That stuff was visible live on air, on national TV. Do we deny what our eyes tell us? I was - well - curious why the paperwork kept finding its way to the bottom of the in tray for a year. The law with all its much touted due process is not the pristine, virginal, objective environment you wish it to be. Most times it is quite the opposite. The prosecutors, defence lawyers, judges and magistrates decide between themselves who gets to atone and who doesn't. All the young mothers considering which sport they'll place their sons in are somewhat more certain about what their eyes tell them. I've seen it with my own daughters - they make up their minds on that which is obvious, without waiting for guidance from a magistrate - if it gets that far, by accident!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
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?
beaver fever
Guest
Yes, the" reverse Folau", those 2 words go together really well IMO !!.
Anna
Guest
He can always play league!!!
beaver fever
Guest
Well no matter what a AFL player does it appears a NRL player can match it, and possibly top it, what is wrong with these idiots. http://www.news.com.au/national/new-disgrace-as-rooster-rookies-defecate-in-hotel/story-e6frfkvr-1225917011086 BTW Karlos i post this for you to gander at, you know !!............... swings & round-a-bouts, karma, no one code has a mortgage on unsavoury incidents, and this is very unsavoury !!!.
betty b
Guest
innocent until proven - give the guy a break. The other indisretions you raise (Bingle and gambling) are all from his Carlton days - not this year. If he's found guilty then he should be dealt with - no doubt harshly given his record - but please, don't deal with him until he is proven guilty. He's great for the Lions - let us just hope he comes out of this unscathed. And yes - the AFL are pussy foots when dealing with their player problems.
Redb
Roar Guru
There are now witness reports that back up Fev.
beaver fever
Guest
Yes, yes, the reverse Folau !!.
Karlos
Guest
Well said Paul. NRL fans have been saying all along that the AFL takes a softly, softly stand on all player indiscretions.
Paul J
Guest
Maybe Fev needs a forced lay off...
Paul J
Guest
Thanks Michael It must cost a lot to run a footy team. I assumed 30K avg for crowds would keep you in the black.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
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.
Forgetmenot
Guest
ok ... poorly educated then. How about a minimum score required on the year ten exams or year 12 certificate?
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Agree with that. An absolutely great talent, on his day.
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
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.
Westcoast929406
Guest
Perth sports radio is reporting that this incident may have further miles to travel. However it maybe too late anyhow for the Fev.
Paul J
Guest
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?
McNulty
Guest
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.
damos_x
Guest
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.
Redb
Roar Guru
Or they could team up and start a new Foxtel channel 'Dumb Blokes World'. :P