Patrick Dangerfield has slammed “d***heads” who bait AFL players to gain a reaction they can then post on social media.
The AFL Players Association president has leapt to the defence of Richmond pair Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli, who were involved in a nightclub fight on the weekend.
Bolton fractured his wrist when he stepped in to help premiership teammate Rioli during an altercation at a Melbourne nightclub and will miss up to three weeks.
Richmond believe Rioli’s girlfriend Paris Lawrence was “subjected to inappropriate behaviour” before the forward was punched in the face, leaving him with a black eye.
Dangerfield, the injured Geelong superstar, said players deserved to be able to enjoy themselves without being harassed.
“The challenges are, especially when you go out and you let your hair down after a stressful week, you’re dealing with d***heads that pull out their phones at a nightclub and are just trying to film something on social media,” Dangerfield told SEN.
“They’re looking for a reaction. You’re on a highway to nothing as a player.
“We’ve got to treat our players like adults and they’ve got to be able to enjoy themselves but you do deal with members of the general public that are out there for nothing but trouble.
“I really sympathise with the boys because they’re in a really difficult situation where something inappropriate happens to a partner, and maybe with wiser heads you might react differently but that’s easy to say from the grandstand.
“It’s a different thing in the heat of the moment where you’re like ‘this is crap, this is inappropriate, I’m not dealing with this’.”
Richmond have opted against sanctioning Bolton, 22 and Rioli, 24, for the incident.
The AFL integrity unit is investigating the matter.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
If they weren't there they shouldn't comment, who knows what happens. I've sent plenty of footy players act like massive tools when out. Not saying that's what's happened. Clearly with Geelong going well without the danger show he's felt the need to get some press.
1dog
Roar Rookie
Because they’re dealing with D heads also ? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
It would be bloody hard, I have this gift of being able to attract d$$khe$d$ when i go out all the time, whether it be town, the footy or even the bl##dy supermarket, so I'd hate to know what some of these guys go through sometimes.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
There will always be d***heads at nightclubs. Players should be a bit smarter about the places they frequent. It’s part and parcel of their chosen career.
mushi
Roar Guru
You would know
Cat
Roar Guru
Hardly unique to any clubs supporters
okapiman
Roar Rookie
AFL players can be absolute tossers when they go out. Disrespectful to women, openly cheating on their girlfriends. Lets not talk about open substance abuse. Danger go back to your couch and less preaching. There are D..H's in business, public and AFL fraternity... what you need to be is smart enough to navigate around that... it is tough for all.
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
How about that Richmond fans, Danger, the man you all seemingly love to hate, standing up for your players. Must be a strange feeling lol.. I can understand why, I'm sure Paddy is speaking from experience here, given how much fans of opposition clubs love to wind players up. The AFL report is yet to come out so until then we can only go by the Richmond version of things, but the more you think about it the more you can imagine a scenario where they were abused by rival fans and lured into an altercation. I emphasize with them, they're just kids, and who amongst us who enjoyed a night out didn't get into the occasional verbal and/or physical tussle when we were their age. It's hard enough living your social life without confrontation from drunken idiots when you have anonymity, and a whole other level when you're famous and in this case, playing for the current most despised team in the AFL. Let's cut them some slack and move on..
Brian
Guest
Isn't the problem the assumption that its the non-AFL players who are being the D***heads.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
“The challenges are, especially when you go out and you let your hair down after a stressful week, you’re dealing with d***heads that pull out their phones at a nightclub and are just trying to film something on social media,” Dangerfield told SEN. So don’t go to a nightclub. They’re paid enough surely to avoid them 7-8 months of the year. “They’re looking for a reaction. You’re on a highway to nothing as a player.” As a resident of Geelong Paddy would know all about driving down a highway to nothing. But come on, we all know the dollars these guys get – they choose to work in this space to earn a living playing football. “We’ve got to treat our players like adults and they’ve got to be able to enjoy themselves but you do deal with members of the general public that are out there for nothing but trouble.” Best to avoid them then. I agree with Richmond not disciplining Rioli/Bolton but to say that they’re the blameless victims in all of this as Paddy implies is a bit rich.
O M
Roar Rookie
There's a few here, including a particular Cats Supporter, who would benefit from adopting the same attitude as Danger.