Not for the first time in the last twelve months the NRL’s youngest club in the Gold Coast Titans have been thinking outside the square, realigning paradigms etc and geez, wouldn’t you know it? The press is banging down the door of the Centre of Excellence again.
This time they’re demanding that they shut up shop and turn the place into a discount souvenir variety warehouse, all because a volunteer trainer for their under-20s side has a couple of nude pics of herself up on the interwebs.
Such a livid reaction might be understandable if the Titans had just announced Paul Carige as assistant coach, or that Ben Jefferies was coming back from the UK for another stint at the club, but doesn’t the whole thing seem all a bit of a storm in a B cup?
For a city that doesn’t mind a roller coaster or two, the last couple of years for the Titans have been far more frightening than anything the Lethal Weapon ride could produce.
Like the cool new kid at school who one day soils themselves in their legal studies exam, the Titans went from being everyone’s second favourite team to the one everyone wanted to boot out.
But these things happen in sport, and the last six months have been a slow climb upwards for the club… until the news about Ms Kortney Olson’s past broke on the weekend and the ARLC moved the side to Port Moresby.
Or that’s what’s supposed to have happened anyway.
In reality a lot of people shrugged their shoulders, a few sniggering double entendres were shared on Twitter and Kortney Olson smashed through Ronnie Palmer’s rugby league trainer Google image search record.
Funnily enough though there is actually a serious issue at play which has nothing to do with well-built naked woman. As Ms Olson is the wife of new Titans CEO David May, questions regarding to nepotism (in rugby league?) have been raised, and to date this appears to be the only actual complaint by other staff and stakeholders involved with the Titans under-20s side.
While this isn’t quite up there with Jeff Melluer’s wife recruiting players for the old Gold Coast Gladiators, if proven true, then yes, Olson’s appointment is an issue. Also a bit odd seeing the Titans generally hire ex Queensland players (Gillmeister, Ikin, Belcher, Close, Lang…)
Apart from this though there appears to be not much to the scandal involving Olson. Maybe I need to start varying my reading, but when May was employed with iSelect and Jetstar I must have missed the Financial Review running page three style snaps of his wife and calling for his head.
Sections of the NRL’s code of ethics have also been brought up with regards to Olson’s role. These are however the same code of ethics that will let Robert Lui have another crack at the NRL next year and Liam Fulton get nude in Cleo whenever he feels like it.
Really this whole thing boils down to someone undertaking activities in their past that make someone else uncomfortable, which is a little bit sad in this day and age.
Particularly seeing as though the Titans under-20 side has struggled over the last couple of years and could probably benefit from someone who can offer a different perspective, talk about the pitfalls of substance abuse, and well, obviously knows a couple of things about building muscle.
So I think we should give Olson a break, let her turn over a new leaf and welcome her into the big weird family that is rugby league, it’s got to be better than another ex-player clogging up the staff lists anyway.
Hell, I’d even be happy for her to start recruiting players.
Follow Chris on Twitter @Vic_Arious
sandal
Guest
best comment so far
fred c
Guest
Get over it, I didn't know Aussies are so Puritian. She's a babe and actually has some professional credits
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
You have to admire what she has done. It is a shame the media has crucified her and no doubt she will be the attention for Cameras at every Tits (oops) game. Based on what I watched last season, the U20s need someone to get them up for games. While I admire her for trying her best to live a normal life, I have to question the CEO being so naive. He is kidding if he thought he could involve her in such a high profile arena and not get sprung.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
New work for the ARLC if the Telegraph and Courier Mail are the final arbiters on all things bright and beautiful.. All skeletons in the cupboards of current players,conditioners,trainers,coaches,runners,ball boys,refs must be henceforth brought to the notice of a specially set up committee, to vet the bonafides or otherwise. If George Rose was a male stripper, prior to his arrival at the Eagles,it could reflect on the performance of his teammates who could look on him with envy and their committment would suffer .It would reflect badly on the code,fans would cancel memberships en masse. If a person has turned their life around,who the hell is to be judge and jury.PC gone raving mad. BTW anyone seen a sober journo of late?
oikee
Guest
I think we all live in glass houses Steve. We all want to send them to prison and reform them, but as we can see, they never are really reformed, society does not allow that to happen because of our glass houses. Besides, she had a choice in the first place, she unfortunately choose the wrong path. Mind you, she needs to stick to her guns, dont stop trying or the likes of us, the glasshouses will eat you alive. Bet she tastes good, whoops. I could be in trouble here, lalalala. Oh the crazies, the nutters, hello my friends, hehe.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I laughed at the Tele, it was a News Ltd paper that started making this an issue, and then we have Rothfield today saying why the fuss? Why not ask your mates who started the story.
Gareth
Roar Pro
When I saw the headline, I thought this was going to be an article about Jamal Idris. Carry on.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think what has really upset people is that she didn’t obey the “must have a minimum of 4 NRL contracted players present” rule for NRL related female nudity. She's damn lucky Greg Bird didn't find out
Alex
Guest
David May actually raised a really good point when questioned about Nepotism. He said that if she were being paid by the Titans, those accusations might have some merit, but she is a volunteer. So everybody is actually whinging about a person who is doing this in their spare time. For me this is a complete non-issue, those who are howling from the rooftops should be thrown from their high horses and forced to get on with their lives. Olson's past is her and her family's business, nobody else's.
oikee
Guest
Yeah, me too. That could be dangerous as many think i am nutter. I just thought of this Chris as well. The old classic, Al Pacino in the Godfather. "Just when i thought i was breaking out, 'free', they drag me back in again". The media wont let this one go. Every time she wears a short pair of pants or a crop top. :) good ole days, the old crop top, they the media will splash it all over the front page all the while showing angles of players starign at her buttocks.
Australian Rules
Guest
+1
steve b
Roar Guru
Have to agree Pheilpsy , second chances are a plus in my book , it always means more coming from someone who has been dragged through the crap and come out the other side and made something of their lives . Just maybe she can stop someone else going down the same path , give her a go and leave her alone . People who live in glass houses piss me off ...
Phelpsy
Guest
I actually admire her and her husband for standing by her
TC
Guest
When something needs to be revealed - Chris is the man for the job! Well done.
Tommygun
Guest
Top article Chris. Love any reference to Paul Carige. Ten years on and everyone still remembers his very public lesson in "Single handedly losing semi finals. Advanced level." Great points about the U20s trainer too. Nepotism? Check out the Raiders! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
oikee
Guest
In this day and age. Is the bra really burnt or just smouldering. Like you say Chris, if she was a bloke, we would be howling at the moon. Maybe it is time for women to get out and support her. I mean come-on. Are we really all this shallow. We want to reform people , as long as they hide in a corner. ? They should stand their ground and if she is forced out, we all should feel like the hard work women have done, fought for, has taken a little backward step. They should put up some schoolie pictures, that will really shock them. :)