It’s just what the AFL and the Collingwood Football Club didn’t need. Police are currently investigating an alleged assault involving a player during the Magpies post-grand final celebrations.
And while no charges have been laid, and a number of players have voluntarily submitted interviews, unfortunately the incident threatens to overshadow the Magpies’ premiership.
It’s obviously too early to jump to conclusions, and without the facts, only the people involved know the truth of what really happened.
No names of any players have been released at this stage, and in my opinion, nor should they be.
In the interest of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, isn’t it important the identity of the accused remain confidential through the investigation?
The image of footballers can be tarnished very quickly and unfairly due to an allegation as serious as this, and I think on the back of the recent acquittal of Brett Stewart in the NRL, all speculation and judgment must now be reserved until a later date.
This is someone’s life we’re talking about, after all.
Now, I’d much rather be talking about some of the truly amazing stories from the grand final.
Like the class and dignity of Luke Ball when his moment for vindication arrived on the final siren, instead of celebrating, he chose to console former teammates Brendan Goddard and Lenny Hayes.
Then there was Heath Shaw’s now famous smother.
Although it happened early in the game this was a moment that will always be shown on the highlights reel of the 2010 Grand Final. His teammates praised the incredible effort and described it as a tone setter for the rest of the day.
Or what about Steele Sidebottom’s incredible performance on the big stage or Dale Thomas’ outstanding finals series.
This is what we should be talking about, but instead unfortunately these allegations have somewhat soured what has been a fantastic year for Collingwood.
I’ve heard people say sportsmen are a product of their own environment, and at times I agree they might not be to blame. But despite all the education, when alcohol is involved reasonable judgment goes completely out the window.
There is no simple answer or explanation either, but the reality is, it keeps happening across all codes.
Football clubs are notoriously thick skinned. They have to be. But when a player damages the brand and acts outside the law, often they are left with no choice but to take action.
Just take a look at Andrew Lovett at St Kilda. Whether he is proven guilty or not at trial, he was sacked earlier in the year for bringing the club into disrepute.
How much could the Saints have used his pace and skills on Saturday?
If the allegations are proven to be true against a Collingwood player then he must face the full brunt of the law. But until then, I think as a society, and especially within the media, we need to be more understanding of the process of justice.
Otherwise a natural injustice might occur and the reputation of a young man has the potential to be destroyed forever.
Gob Bluth
Guest
I agree Amanda. I must admit I feel for the girl in that she has already been labelled as "stray" by Kerri Anne (the biggest media whore of all time) and people have automatically just tossed her in teh bin of one of these girls that throws themselves at players. Of course, the story so far is that see actually went home with her boyfriend of a few months, which is a different story all together. Who knows what happened afterwards but that is an important distinction to make. Funny the Channel Nine release also made sure we were aware of the two sides to the story, I wonder how much input McGuire had in that.
Maryn
Guest
Perhaps Malthouse should immediately delist these players as the mere fact of being investigated (despite no charges being laid) was enough evidence for him to abuse Milne as a rapist. As for the Melbourne media - they had no such problems naming Fevola, Milne, & Montagna. Double standards indeed. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Amanda, Perhaps you should also spare a thought for men who are falsely accused of sexual assault by vindictive women and as a result are suspended from their job, lose money and their reputation is dragged through the mud. They are desperate to speak out and clear their name but are unable to do so as their lawyers instruct them it may harm their defence in court. They are forced to spend 18 months of their life in limbo pending the outcome of a painfully slow justice system. Even if they are found innocent they have trouble rebuilding their reputation or finding a new job, even though they are the victims. They are unable to receive any justice themselves unless the women actually admits she was making up the claim. Bottom line: Trauma in sexual assault cases can apply to both men and women
Amanda
Guest
Since most of the comments here are from men, I thought I would drop a note from a woman who was raped (allegedly) fortunately not by a footballer. How do you think it feels waking up and hearing yet another RAPE? Spare a thought for the woman reporting RAPE it is horror and terror not a walk in the park. Then she spends the next few days with Dr’s, Police and phycologists. For these footballers a team of legal boys step in then, the power of the club and the AFL “wow now that’s something you want to go up against” especially when you are in a state of shock, trauma and fear. Then there are the endless men that spend hours commenting on the news, radio and here. Not women? Where are the women? As for the other comments in the story you have written “recent acquittal of Brett Stewart in the NRL, all speculation and judgment must now be reserved until a later date $200,000 in legal fees? “The father caught him with his old feller hanging out?” Oh but she was mentally ill? How much were her legal fees? Many barristers admit they wouldn’t put their own child through a rape trial why? Because the point is to degrade the woman and make her look like she wanted it and it was her fault. RAPE is the most degrading and humiliating experience any person can experience often resulting in trauma for many years. No one wants to go to court and be re-humiliated, re-degraded and re-traumatised. Consenting to sex is one thing, consenting to being abused in the middle of sex well no that’s RAPE and very difficult to prove. In the moments of that terror, that shock, it flips your brain. Spare a thought for the woman in this.
Stephen
Guest
There is no charge, alleged or otherwise--using 'alleged' doesn't mean there isn't a defamatory imputation in your headline.
JVGO
Guest
Well when Justin says 'it happens across all codes' he seems to be casting aspersions somewhat. Would he like to back that up maybe Chris? When was the last sexual assault conviction in RL or Union. But of course Justin is an employee of Channel 9 who have some connections I believe with the President of Collingwood so his call for everyone to be reasonable bears so much credibility. And noone cares about AFL in Melbourne by the way,(I couldn't even name two Collingwood players) it's the media where Justin is an employed we are sick of.
Brendan
Guest
Who cares about Melbourne its the people in Sydney im talking about...
Chris
Guest
NRL fans really do have an inferiority complex. Nobody in Melbourne paid any attention to the whole Johns situation. It just seems that way when you have a victim mentality. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
beaver fever
Guest
No one really gave a stuff here mate, 95% of people in perth would not even know who they were.
JVGO
Guest
I don't know what's happening been across all codes? Do you mean trial by media followed by acquittal? That's what's been happening in RL and if it was RL again in the spotlight it would be the same holier than thou I told you so crap coming from all the familiar quarters. When is the ABC investigation of Collingwood happening? Oh maybe in 7 years time of course the names will finally come out. In the end I guess you will reap what you sow.
Brendan
Guest
Classy stuff...
Justin Rodski
Guest
Former player Spida Everitt weighing into the debate http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/spida-turns-on-women-over-collingwood-sex-allegations-20101005-1659d.html
Brendan
Guest
Its eerily quiet on The Roar today...
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Modern professional footballers drink so little, as far as we know, throughout the year i'm surprised they can hold down a shandy!
MAF4174
Guest
Wow what an intersting line "No names of any players have been released at this stage, and in my opinion, nor should they be" Fevolas name was splashed over every paper in the country when he supposidly commited his sin (which to this day is still under investigation) I wonder if it was any other club than Collingwood if these blokes would have had their names released. The other amazing thing about this is that nearly every story on the Herald Sun websites provides an opportunity to make a comment on except for, yes you guessed it - the report on the alleged sexual assualts by 2 Collingwood players - again Fevola was never afforded that censorship, every man and their dog had an opportunity to express their opinion on his situation, yet in this case "its to early to jump to conclusions and without the facts only the people involved know the truth" Either this situation smacks of double standards or I'm missing something - I know Fev had done himself no favours but why should these 2 players be afforded any more privacy than he - "Otherwise a natural injustice might occur and the reputation of a young man has the potential to be destroyed forever" Should not that quote apply to everyone!
Brendan
Guest
I think you’re right Dan it will be interesting to see the differences in how this story evolves. I’m sure that after Brett Stewart was found innocent people won’t be so quick to judge. If these guys are charged then it will be even more interesting considering how Matty Johns was treated. He wasn’t charged with a crime but was convicted guilty by “fans” and the media of crossing moral guidelines by having consensual group sex. If group sex has occurred with the AFL guys will they receive the same treatment as Johns?? In short No...
Kurt
Roar Pro
Yes, Melbourne was well and truly awash with gossip and debate about Matthew Johns, Brett Stewart and the Cronulla Sharks. It's all people talked about for months on end...
Dan Dresden
Guest
Funny how now that the boot is on the other code's foot, everyone thinks its entirely fair and appropriate to hold back on making comments about the code and its culture. It never stopped opinions flying across the Murray when Matthew Johns and the Sharks were getting attention, or when the Stewart matter broke.