Brendon Fevola will never learn. That seems to have become obvious following his latest stunt which – in all likelihood – will end his playing time with the Brisbane Lions and probably in the AFL. Fevola was suspended indefinitely by the Lions yesterday following an incident at a non-club function last week where he was alleged to have indecently exposed himself to a woman.
Brisbane’s decision on Fevola’s future hinges on a pending investigation by Police and the AFL into the incident, but should the allegations be proven correct the former Coleman Medallist’s career will be over.
It was little under 12 months ago, that the 29-year-old full-forward moved up to Queensland for his second-chance after his career at Carlton fell apart.
At the time he said – in his joking manner – it is time he grew up.
There’s no doubt he had to grow up as it was his last chance and, unfortunately for him, it appears as if he hasn’t been able to get it together.
Since his move north he’s had more controversy. The Lara Bingle incident earlier this year was regrettable, while his gambling problems were revealed.
Then a fortnight ago with the Lions’ home-and-away campaign not over, but Fevola’s done and dusted after season-ending surgery, the 29-year-old was seen in a Melbourne nightclub in the early hours of a Saturday. It wasn’t a good look and he was on thin ice.
From afar that nightclub incident appeared to show that Fevola, who said he had been off the drink all season, simply couldn’t wait for the season to end to get back to his old ways.
It seemed after all of his personal dramas, he hadn’t learned a thing.
Now, though, the latest allegation appears to have sealed his fate. And this time there’s no excuses, such as alcohol. This time he can’t hide behind the fact he was intoxicated.
It was a non-club function, allegedly a football clinic in the middle of the day in a family atmosphere where he’s believed to have acted inappropriately in front of a woman and her two children, prompting her husband to contact the club and complain. The Lions and the AFL can not tolerate such behaviour.
He was plain stupid and at 29-years-old it seems he’ll never learn.
He does appear to do these things at the right time for trade week but you’d think no club will want to touch him now. It remains to be seen if the AFL will let them. But, as I said, he doesn’t seem to learn.
Fevola’s management company Velocity Sports Management denied any wrongdoing from their star player and we should reserve some judgement considering these are still only allegations and the full investigation is yet to take place.
But there doesn’t appear to be any ill-incentive or motivation from the husband who reported the incident, so it doesn’t look good for Fevola.
The AFL has tolerated Fevola’s antics for a long time but this latest incident can’t be good for his footy future no matter which way you paint it.
AFL general manager of football operations Adrian Anderson said yesterday: “Inappropriate or indecent behaviour towards women has no place in our game.”
Given Fevola’s history with inappropriate or indecent behaviour, particularly towards women, it seems he has no place in the game anymore.
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