AFL 360 was interesting viewing on Monday night as Gerard Whatley and Mark Robinson were joined by Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and Geelong coach Chris Scott.
The conversation quickly moved to the illicit drugs claims that broke over the weekend which were levelled at Collingwood. Mark Robinson, who broke the story, quickly became the source of anger from Nathan Buckley and while at first I was sceptical, I began to understand Buckley’s stance.
Robinson said he understood why Collingwood were upset these tests had been leaked and understood they felt, rightfully, aggrieved and betrayed given there is an agreement in place between the AFL and AFLPA regarding confidentiality over such matters.
Yet Robinson is part of the problem not the solution.
If you watched AFL 360, you would have seen Robinson asked to give an approximate number of players which had tested positive to illicit drugs his answers ranged from ‘up to 11′, to ‘ten’, to ‘eleven’.
I don’t know if it’s just me but to go from 10 to 11 to up to 11, gives the impression of uncertainty and given the claims which came as a result of this piece, I wonder whether Robinson and those at the Herald should have gone with the story given the possible ramifications.
I am not saying it’s the reason Collingwood was so helplessly annihilated over the Weekend at the hands of Sydney. However, I have seen the effects the recent Essendon Saga, which has left players seemingly broken, betrayed and angry.
I wonder whether the article which was unable to name the supposed other clubs therefore isolating the Collingwood Football Club in this plight, at least momentarily and unable to given an approximation of the players involved from any club – let alone the Magpies – is good journalism.
I like Mark Robinson, I have respect for his opinions but I also understand that the media holds sway over public opinion and plays an important role in shaping the views of the public.
Can we therefore accept stories with uncertain facts? Should we be allowing the public to debate about the unconfirmed? Or should the story have been held off and allowed to have its facts checked and approximated?
Handles
Roar Guru
I think you are agreeing with me? There are only two options, either the leaks came from inside Collingwood or outside. The basic assumption I am making is that seeing the leakers only told Robinson Collingwood's results, they must have been either only in possession of Collingwood's results - which would indicate inside the club, OR they chose to only leak Collingwood's results, which would indicate that they come from outside the club, and have an axe to grind. All good so far?
Samantha
Roar Rookie
Was he actually given the results for every team or did the person who leaked it only give him collingwood?
Samantha
Roar Rookie
Did your tinfoil hat tell you that?
richo
Guest
i have never understood how a clown like Robinson made chief football writer at HS. I dont care about confidentiality, thats not his problem. I care that he deliberately named Collingwood to sell newspapers and create a stir when they are apparently not even the worst offending team, he chose not to name other clubs. If you believe him when he says he didnt know then you are very naive. The guy is impossible to watch on 360 with his bumbling and unprofessional attitude, he thinks he is some sort of personality but he is just a worm from the gutter press.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
Who performed the tests? Who compiled the tests and sent it off to the AFL? lots and lots and lots of places this could have leaked. I'll also assume the ALFPA would have received some type of information on the testing as well. If so who saw it there? People are way too quick to point fingers to whomever fits their agenda. Hate Collingwood, they did it. Hate the AFL admin, it was their doing. Hate the media, blame them. The only person(s) that can actually answer it is possibly Robbo (depending how the info was passed along) and the person who leaked it.
Handles
Roar Guru
If Collingwood was the source, I assume that once the information arrived at Collingwood, it was shared with a number of staff. I obviously have no way of knowing if this is true. If the leak came from the AFL, or from another club, then Mark Robinson should have asked himself why the leaker was only giving him Collingwood's results, when Collingwood were not the worst offender. The answer can only be that the leaker was trying to create mayhem, or settling a score with someone at Collingwood, in which case I would think that Robinson should have refused to play ball.
Reccymech
Roar Rookie
Aren't the basic tenants of journalism: Truth and Accuracy Independence Fairness and Impartiality Accountability Now, as much as I like Robbo, listening to him on 'a certain radio station' (not too sure about product placement), and 360 he is insightful and does (did?) come across as sorta ethical kinda guy. This article, and only naming Collingwood smacks a bit of not following the tenants of journalism - fairness & impartiality. This is all predisposing that there are other clubs. Allegedly.
Gecko
Guest
Ridiculous. The leak almost certainly came from the AFL itself, not any club.
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
I agree John, I thought it was fairly disappointing on Robinson's part to try and make excuses for something I believe he has to take responsibility. He should know the consequences of his actions and understand that this story could potentially have major ramifications, the sought that don't need a writer who seemed increasingly unsure of his story and it's facts. Fact is he is the Chief Football Writer at the Herald, therefore he is at the head of the team which made the decision and regardless of how regularly your paper is in print, you have a responsibility as journalist to maintain some sort of integrity and professionalism, this was not the case in this story. Then to try and take down Eddie McGuire by insinuating he only cares because it's Collingwood, is as you said, unacceptable. That in itself is a generalist and vague statement with no support to back it up. Mark Robinson has come out looking hypocritical especially in regard to the Confidentiality act which he helped break.
Aransan
Guest
Are they still a "happy" team at Hawthorn?
andyl12
Guest
If it came from within Collingwood, do you think Gary Pert is a likely source? Given that he has publicly shamed the club's drug issues in the past? Or would someone of his stature be too wise to leak such a thing?
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
I agree Tony, Nathan Buckley was all class last night on 360. Really represented and articulated the cub's argument in a professional manner which could not have been easy to do given the circumstances. I must admit Mark Robinson has lost a lot of my respect after this incident, I don't see it as ethical or good practice at all, in regards to what he did.
Adam Daunt
Roar Guru
@Olivia Watts: I agree Robinson should be concerned with getting ratings for his paper, however, I find it hypocritical that he agrees the club has a right to be angry over the leak yet he is part of the leak. He went to town with the story, he decided his integrity was low enough to run a story with glaring uncertainties and therefore I think he and the Herald should be placed in the cross-hairs. The article has done nothing to support the confidentiality agreement Robinson claims to support. I think Collingwood have a good list which could potentially challenge for the 8, so I am not quite convinced with the doomsday brigade that their season is over before it's truly begun, the quality of players should see Collingwood come back stronger as a result of this performance. I think they are likely to write this off as an aberration and move on to winning next week. As for Sydney I think the performance encapsulates what Sydney has been about for many years. Believing in themselves and their process and willing to back it in against external criticism. I think people will now be wary of having said the Swans will slide this season as we can now see depth where in seasons past it was questionable. Sydney I believe have genuinely shown the firepower to be considered in the quest for premiership contention.
Handles
Roar Guru
The question that wasn't accurately adressed last night is who had the information. They said that the club presidents received the information, but it wasn't clear whether they received only information about their own club - in which case the leak about Collingwood came from within, or whether they received information about all clubs, in which case the leak was quite probably malicious and clearly designed to target Collingwood. If Robinson's information came from within Collingwood - i.e. Collingwood knew that there were two teams with worse records but did not know who - then in my view he was probably right to run the story. If it came from elsewhere, then he should have known better than to be part of a story clearly designed as sabotage, and particularly as someone from another club could not have only known the Collingwood results. No matter how many papers he sold.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
or don't do illegal drugs. Even easier.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Actually, now that we have had the leak and the confidentiality agreement broken, the most prudent course for the players is to not give their consent to being tested on their break, i.e. to do the same as all other sports, indeed the same as the vast majority of professions. The immediate effect of such a course of action is that there are no more such stories, and the wringing of hands can stop.
andyl12
Guest
What I definitely disagree with is the view that clubs should be left to do their own tests for illicit drugs. This is because clubs cannot be trusted to suspend players who test positive- if you look at Worsfold's Eagles, the club basically refused to act until they'd won a premiership. Of course there are the other questions about whether football needs a drug policy at all, how many strikes we should have and the like. But if there has to be a policy, the AFL need to administer it, not the clubs. You have to speculate on the motives of the leaker, and why they didn't name the two worse clubs. Maybe they'll say it was because Collingwood were meant to be fixing themselves after the Keeffe/Thomas saga last year but to me that's not a good enough reason.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
Aransan
Guest
Well said.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
Firstly, allegiances out the way. I'm a Sydney née South fan and though I believed we'd win I expected to be fighting us all the way in a very close tussle. No one is more surprised tham I at what was almost an amateurish display by the Pies who, barring our poor kicking, might have lost by 20 goals. I can understand Mark Robinson running the "drug story" given that he received the information and is, rightly, concerned with ratings points and sales of the newspaper both print and electronic. I can also understand Nathan Buckley's anger. I don't think shooting the messenger helps though. The person at fault is the low life who leaked the information to the Media and that person has AFL after their name, not Herald Sun. Leaking that information is the act of someone with no concept of honour or trust and I hope the AFL moves heaven and earth to name, shame and dismiss this person. On behalf of all fair minded football fans I will be barracking for the AFL to succeed in finding him or her We will never know how much, if at all, the leaking of the information played in Saturday nights dismal Pies performance. Whether their next game is better, worse or the same as the Sydney cannot indicate what part, if any, drug allegations played in one specific game already in the stats book. Personally, I expect a much improved performance from what I consider a talented Collingwood side despite the absences of Shaw and Sidebottom (enjoy your much deserved holiday young man) but the ball is now firmly in their court to show the passion they are famous for. The saving grace is that when you play that poorly you can only improve. Likewise, Sydney needs to be as hard and skilful this week against the Blues to show how their season may pan out. My honest opinion is, for whatever reason, we learned nothing conclusive for either Club's longer term results this season.