There hasn’t been a bigger storm in a schooner glass since Todd Carney tried to follow in the steps of the great yogis and reach enlightenment by drinking his own urine.
Unluckily for Carney, a bystander captured it on their smartphone and made sure that anyone in the world who wanted to see it could.
Last week, Mitchell Pearce got himself into a similar spot of bother when he stayed out way past his bedtime.
We all know that both men belong to the large club of people who are unable to guarantee their behaviour when they start drinking, and are well advised to give the grog away.
More Mitchell Pearce:
» Roosters need to take a long, hard look at themselves
» The new and improved NRL Code of Conduct
» Mitchell Pearce speaks for first time following Australia Day scandal
» Whatever Pearce’s punishment, make sure he learns from it
» Roosters stand down disgraced captain Mitchell Pearce
» Footage emerges of Pearce simulating sex act with a dog
Pearce’s behaviour was out-and-out wrong, and exactly what happens when people who shouldn’t drink, do.
But it was you and me who escalated the event from the NRL’s weekly bogan-behaves-badly story into a full-fledged, week-long, contract-shredding scandal.
The media’s helpful pre-release beat-up, “I can’t tell you exactly what’s on the tape, except that it’s shocking,” made watching it ASAP that extra bit compelling.
If you’re reading this, I’m betting you watched the video as soon as you could, just to see what the fuss was all about. Even though everyone on Facebook said it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as they were expecting.
Bizarrely, my straw poll of everyone I know who watched the video indicates they’re equally outraged that someone filmed the incident.
The person filming didn’t intervene when unwelcome advances were made against another partygoer, or when the host’s sofa was damaged, but that’s not why they’re outraged.
They’re outraged that Pearce’s privacy was breached – and worse, within a few hours that person had sold the recording for a small fortune.
Everyone’s waving the hatchet at the anonymous and supremely self-interested person who filmed the whole sordid scene. That they had sold it to a media agency within a few hours proves they recorded with profit in mind.
But it was only worth a fortune because the media buyers know that the general public are clickbait monkeys. Cued up like Pavlov’s dogs, deep down we like nothing more than drooling over footage of the private failings of the famous. For the average Australian, there’s no tastier schadenfraude than seeing an NRL gladiator fall on his sword.
A grainy smartphone video is not a scandal. A grainy smartphone video plus a few hundred thousand views is.
Well done us.
Noel
Guest
I agree to a degree , however , in the video I first viewed a male voice was telling Pearce what to do with prompts ,egging him on . That video , it would seem , is ono longer available , or at least I have not been able to access it , and the supposed photographer is now claiming he wasn't the photographer . Maybe some sort of protection for people like Pearce should be available as in Libel and Blackmaim laws . Pearce was stupid beyond belief , but he broke no laws and was in a private situation , and the repercussions could be far reaching on his life , going forward . Is it right that some go getter should be able to wreck the life of a person for personal gain . I for on don't think it's right . It will be said that Pearce brought it on himself , and that he deserves what he gets . I don't think so . I am not a Roosters fan and I have never met Mitchel Pearce , so I am not rallying behind a mate . I believe this was a deliberate action by an opportunust to do damage to a tall poppy and for personal gain . It is something I would not do .
john neeson
Guest
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154540620923135&set=a.125737208134.128162.678758134&type=3 JnrJnr ain't nothin but a hound dog
northerner
Guest
I'd say that damaging the image of the game is something to be decided by the administrators of the game. In a country with four football codes competing for sponsorship, broadcast fees, membership and interests, behaviour like Pearce's can do a lot of damage. You might not feel that League's image has been damaged, but the sheer amount of coverage and commentary on this, both from the media and the ordinary man or woman on the street, suggests that there are a lot of people out there who would disagree with your take. Clearly, the NRL disagrees, and that's what matters in the end. In any case, I was merely citing the rule that Pearce violated.
Numbers Man
Guest
I think this is a very valid point, we ( the public) can't help ourselves. The media knows it get read and it is a big story. If we didn't read this or the media site didn't record the number of hits a web site has for reading the story the whole affair would go away. But I would like to make 2 points. 1/ This is what is captured on camera and looking at the number of incidents that are brought to light it would suggest that there is a fair bit more that never see the light of day. I think there is a culture with league players that suggest there is a darker side that is internally tolerated. 2/ If we the public said that this isn't good enough it might change. But the reality is that we tolerate and even accept that these players muck up and that part of being a player in the NRL. We feed the dogs. ( forgive the pun)
Kaks
Roar Guru
Damaged the image of the game to who? Definitely not me, I couldnt care less if someone drank too much and was recorded being a goose in a private residence when they dont harm anyone. It's a massive media beat up so that they can ruin someones career - again - and feel like they have power.
northerner
Guest
NRL Code of Conduct, Sec 12: No Club or person bound by this Code shall: (1) Engage in any conduct that is detrimental to; (2) Bring into disrepute; (3) Act in a manner inconsistent with; (4) Act in a manner contrary to; or (5) Act in a manner prejudicial to; the best interests, image or welfare of the NRL, the NRL Competition, the National Youth Competition, the Related Competitions, the Representative Competitions, the Clubs or the Game. Seems pretty clear: damage the image of the game, and you've violated the code of conduct.
Perry Bridge
Guest
and then because it's been reported on - other news outlets can run with the line of "it's been reported that" and presenting that as fact.
Norad
Guest
Every Superbowl time is the same. The AFL mob who despise NRL and Origin as a meathead form of football violence come out as NFL loving experts in praise of the brutality and excitement on offer.
Douche
Guest
No one rooted a dog.
Matth
Guest
I suspect there is a clause about acting in a manner likely to bring the club into disrepute. Sort of a catch all for anything club is unhappy with
Lancey5times
Guest
There is a lot of moderation about today. Personally, I think the moderation should be in moderation. You must have known when you posted it that the drug dealer bit was gonna get jumped on though. Never mind the whole fabricated hypothetical background of the evening thing.....
Jameswm
Guest
It's not the best message to send, is it?
Kaks
Roar Guru
Fair enough mate!
Kaks
Roar Guru
Precisely my point.
Birdy
Guest
Lance5 , flipper and marco, I replied to u all only to get moderated. I made it quite clear MP needs help but the actions of cameraman are very sus and premetatated. If you all find my comments dumb I take it as a compliment for having different views to yous all.
joe b
Guest
"If 50 people tweet about something its news". Agreed, if 50 ppl tweet about it, the Sydney Morning Herald writes an article on it calling it 'social media outrage'. In fact, most articles on SMH are about commentary on social media, and whatever was discussed on Q&A.
We've got a live one
Guest
That's right, you don't.
We've got a live one
Guest
But according to you and others such as clipper, we do.
We've got a live one
Guest
Rage on Clipper, rage on. You say you do nothing stupid and disrespectful, but you have said enough stupid and disrespectful things that you're about one dodgy comment from getting banned. And you're probably not even drunk.
Douche
Guest
Well you must know what is in his contract to cost his career. You wanted him to get a "real" job and to be stood down from the roosters at the end of last week.