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Brendan Fevola is officially no longer a Brisbane Lion. It’s all over red rover. Unfortunately for him and Aussie Rules fans, I do believe this decision spells an abrupt end to an extraordinary, yet turbulent AFL career.
In one of my first articles for The Roar I wrote about my self-hating admiration for Fevola, after seeing him play his first few games for Brisbane.
“He scores from all angles, marks with one hand, and makes every single set shot.
I do not approve of what Fevola has done off the field, I don’t think anyone does. But I do respect his remarkable talent and I don’t want it to end.
So here’s to hoping Fevola can stay out of trouble and keep up his superb style of footy. Then he can remain, my secret, guilty, pleasure.”
Oh I was so young then.
He did not stay out of trouble.
He kept finding it in fact – gambling, depression, alcohol abuse and the New Year’s Eve incident that led to his admission into rehab (again).
But no amount of sorrys, rehab, promise of form, or “behavioural clauses” were going to convince the Brisbane board that he was worth keeping (this time).
Though I admire his skill as one of the most talented AFL players in recent history, there are only so many chances a sportsperson can expect to get. Fevola had run out of chances and I doubt there will be another club willing to give him any more.
The Brisbane Lions had no hesitation in getting rid of Albert Proud two weeks ago, after being convicted of assaulting a police officer. He too was given many chances and got de-listed before he was given a final life with the Lions, re-drafted as a rookie.
If the Lions didn’t act after the many indiscretions Fevola had been involved in, within just over a year mind you, there would be cries of outrage.
Many will argue that Michael Voss’ decision to bring Fevola to Brisbane in the first place, was the real crime. Not only did it ultimately cost them class players in Daniel Bradshaw, Michael Rischitelli, Jared Brennan, and Lachlan Henderson, but it also put a remarkable amount of pressure on the one man who had kicked out all those big names.
Without his family who were still living in Melbourne, in the wake of the Lara Bingle photo scandal and reports of massive gambling debts, Fevola was expected to not only be their No.1 goal-kicker, but to also stay out of trouble. Ha!
What on earth made Brisbane think they could actually pull this off? And they say Fevola is the one with gambling issues.
So where to now for big ol’ Fev?
Well, he’d be glad to know, and it pains me to say this because I do have a soft spot for Brisbane Lions, but any faint chance they had of escaping the wooden spoon in 2011 was lost when they got rid of Fevola, who when on his game is a definite match-winner.
As mentioned, I doubt there will be another AFL team willing to take Fevola on board.
We’ve seen the last of him in the AFL.
At 30 years of age, injury concerns, as well as inconsistent form are reasons enough to doubt his worth at another club, let alone the negative media baggage he brings with off-field dramas. His price wouldn’t be cheap either.
Yesterday in The Sunday Mail, Fevola’s manager (former Brisbane Lions legend) Alistair Lynch said that Fevola will remain in rehab “until we have a reasonably clear path on what he is going to be doing.” It may be a longer stay at the New Farm clinic than first expected.
There won’t be clubs jumping to sign him and it seems that Fevola and his management will not take the decision lying down either.
It is believed that Fevola will pursue legal action against the Lions over the sacking, seeking the $1.9 millon paid in one go, rather than the two yearly instalments planned by the club. Meanwhile there are other reports that he may try his luck in the NFL.
A stint in the NFL may sound like it would suit him nicely, as it did with another aging full-forward Sav Rocca. But though Fevola may like the idea of going to the US and joining an NFL franchise, it is not an easy move. A look at Sav Rocca’s journey to Philadelphia shows just how difficult it really is.
Fevola had a chance to join the NFL in 2008, being offered several deals with different clubs, and all when he was still 27. But it’s a different story now.
There’s more controversy three years on, he’s older, he’s showing inconsistent form and if he is as depressed as we are led to believe, then picking up sticks and moving to the States, presumably without his family, surely, is not the way to go.
Maybe he’d have a better shot in the NRL?
The best thing for Fevola now, is to retire, tell us he did it his way, and move on with his life back in Melbourne, with his family.
Or perhaps he could take up a coaching role or work with juniors.
You never know, something might come up in Brisbane next year.
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