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The sick fools who have taken to Twitter, Facebook and footy forums claiming there’s some big conspiracy behind why Buddy Franklin has been missing games need to wake up to themselves.
That these people have no hesitation in injuring a man’s reputation – a man they do not know and using words they have no evidence to support – is not only disturbing, it’s against our country’s defamation laws.
Even the keyboard warriors who cover their tracks by only using innuendo need to seriously think about the information they are spreading to the world.
Just by hinting at it you’re prompting people to jump on Google and see what all the fuss is about.
Yes, free speech exists in Australia. But when all you are doing is spreading something your uncle heard from his mate who heard from another mate who once umpired a VFL Reserves game, you probably aren’t qualified to speak as though you are Mike Sheahan himself.
The simple fact is, the rumour at the centre of the big conspiracy theory has actually been floating around for years.
Now, picture how many journalists in that time would’ve heard this exact rumour. Picture how many of them – backed by all the resources the scandal-loving media have at their disposal – dug around for even just a hint of evidence to support it.
If you doubt this would’ve happened, remember one thing.
This is the same media that thinks, “He said something about his opponent’s mum on the field? Give him the front page, back page and I want a report on Page 3!”
It is inconceivable that this “story” hasn’t been researched many times over by the media.
And guess what? They’ve found nothing.
If they’d found something to publish that doesn’t contravene defamation law, they would’ve gone to print with it by now. Instead, it’s nothing more than a petty rumour.
That’s not to say fans of the game can’t be suspicious. By all means question what’s presented to you.
But to do so in a public forum – to all your friends, followers or for whatever reason, random fans on the internet – when you yourself have no clue at all, sorry but it’s just not on.
While everyone loves a good conspiracy theory, and this one was particularly juicy, it’s no excuse to throw the laws of defamation out the window.
Sadly, though, Hawthorn (on Monday) and Franklin himself (yesterday) have been forced to speak out and rubbish the claims.
Ironically, their speaking out has elevated the rumours from mere internet chatter to something that has been addressed – albeit dismissively – by the club and player.
Now, journalists are now free to mention Buddy Franklin and the rumour in the same sentence.
The sick fools have won.