Unsubstantiated, unfounded and unfair. These are just a few words that come to mind over the scandal involving the sharing of game-sensitive information between the Talia brothers.
It is clear to see that the Western Bulldogs as a club, from executives to supporters, are yet to get over the storm in a teacup that detracted from arguably 2015’s game of the year.
For those who deleted the over-cooked two month farce from their minds, the essence of it was as follows. Michael and Daniel Talia conversed in the lead up to the game, talking about the game in general terms as they did regularly.
Following Adelaide’s exhilarating win, Adelaide defender Kyle Cheney accidentally started a rumour that was meant to be taken as jest over a breakfast with Hawthorn defender Ben Stratton, an ex-teammate of Cheney’s.
The rumour then made its way from Hawthorn players to their former assistant coach and then Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. On the 22nd of September, ten days after the shattering loss, the club went public with a statement declaring that they had referred the matter to the AFL’s Integrity Unit.
The conduct of the Western Bulldogs’ bosses could be considered embarrassing. It was reported that, the then 22-year-old Michael Talia walked into his 2015 exit interview only to be met, without warning, by chairman Peter Gordon and chief executive David Stevenson with what were essentially allegations of cheating.
When the original statement was released, the Bulldogs noted that they did not believe that the allegations “had a material bearing on the game or the result.” Yet the Bulldogs continued to defy general consensus that the two young men had not actively attempted to influence the outcome of the game when the findings of the AFL were released.
The Bulldogs said of the findings, which cleared the Talia brothers of sharing tactical information, to be “troubled by certain aspects of the AFL investigation.”
Due to the aggressive nature in which they pursued the investigation, Michael Talia was forced to be traded to Sydney and the Talia family publicly ended an 80-year relationship with the club that saw three generations play for Dogs.
It all adds to a building rivalry between the clubs which is largely due to Adelaide’s domination of the Bulldogs in significant finals, namely the 1997 and 1998 preliminary finals as well as last year’s epic.
Yet the persistent booing of Daniel Talia last night was trivially illogical. It was supposedly Michael Talia who shared information, and Kyle Cheney who started the rumour. The only purpose it served was to resurface a vendetta that did far more damage than good.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Haha Sam. It's nice you know the "facts" and nobody else does. ?
Samantha
Roar Rookie
The most important fact: The entire thing was based off a fabrication made up for some laughs. It started as BS, it ended as BS and was nothing but BS in the middle.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I'd forgot about the incriminating phones being "lost" and messages deleted. Maybe the industry should give Talia a new nickname: "KP" (Kevin Pieterson).
David
Guest
Let's start with some facts. 1. AFL didn't clear the Talia brothers, but said there was not enough evidence to substantiate the charges. (Also what they said re Essendon and the drug saga) 2. Michael while on holidays in Bali, allegedly and conveniently lost his phone. Daniel for some unknown reason reset his phone, clearing all his txts and messages. (if they were innocent, why would they do this?) A bit too coincidental that both happened the day they were requested to present their phones! 3. The western bulldogs are required under the AFL integrate rules to report items like this. Would the Western Bulldogs have won, if game play information hadn't been shared? Don't know, but not relevant. What Michael did to his team mates is unforgivable. There is no way, I would want a person like this on my team. If he had joined my team (Collingwood), I would have protested long and hard.
Vocans
Guest
In the absence of evidence to the contrary, I prefer to go with my gut impressions of both the Talias: these are honourable men quite capable of quarantining their conversation about the upcoming big game. As to Cheney, with no one contradicting his version, I know I myself am capable of a sour joke I live to regret.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Bevo was grilled about the Talia episode on Footy Classifieds 3 or 4 weeks ago and he wasn't happy. He was still seething, and he clearly believed Michael Talia had betrayed the club still. He didn't want to discuss it any more, but he left the Panel in no doubt that the suggestion Kyle Cheney had "made it up" was a crock of bull and that he believes Cheney "is a man of 100% integrity" - implying this was the spin released by the AFL after being unable to substantiate the allegations. But I agree with the rest of your article. The Bulldogs didn't handle it well and came out looking bad. Not sure what else they could have done though, considering what they believe occurred. They perhaps could have got a better deal for Talia if they had of kept secret the alleged betrayal. I fail to understand how much difference it could have made, even if it the allegations are true. And I feel for Michael Talia if they are untrue. As for Daniel Talia being booed, I thought the theatre of it was interesting. The public aren't very forgiving, and fair enough, it's a passionate sport.
Momentbymoment
Guest
It seems the bullies are happy to burn their own for their chance at success. It will be interesting to see how that pans out.
mattyb
Guest
Bit upset with the umpiring I'm guessing tommo. Fair enough but let's treat all incidents in isolation. I don't think the AFL actually investigated the whole thing very well because they are the AFL. Pretty convenient Talia lost his phone also. I don't think the dogs had much choice but to report the incident but each can have their own view. Not sure why you have chosen to bring this back up,especially in such a dramatic manner,an article on the umpiring from last night would have been much more relevant and would have been a far more direct way to voice your displeasure.