The AFL world can throw up some weird and not-so-wonderful storylines from time to time.
The comments Sam Draper made about Luke Beveridge and the Western Bulldogs on his podcast a few weeks ago should be put in the ‘mountain out of a molehill’ category, if not outright as the most unnecessary AFL story of the year.
In the tough and high-pressure environment of football where you are virtually in the spotlight 24/7, what is the problem in players having some harmless fun from time to time? Does everything need to be taken so seriously?
Speaking on the Clubby Sports’ 200PLUS podcast, Draper made out he had a scoop: “I’ve got a big call about the Doggies. If Bevo’s still there, there’ll be some players requesting trades.”
From there, it has been reported that Essendon came down on him like a ton of bricks, though came short of fining or dropping him – the club insisted he missed the Eagles game through injury.
Brad Scott then made the brazen claim that these comments had the potential to undo all the hard work the club has done trying to win respect from the rest of the league.
“He’s very, very clear how disappointed I was. He thought he was in an environment where he thought he was being funny. I said ‘mate, it’s the furthest thing from funny. It’s disrespectful’,” Scott said after the Bombers’ win over West Coast
Luke Beveridge also had his chance to reply, calling the comments “bizarre”, and basically thanking the Bombers management for their quick action towards Draper.
But here’s the issue: were his comments in a context where he should have been taken seriously?
If we are going to slap a label on that and call it offensive, we have lowered the bar on players to a nearly unobtainable level without them becoming robots or propaganda mouthpieces.
Clubby Sports has 23,000 subscribers on its YouTube page and from what I have listened to, 200PLUS aims to be more entertainment-based than hard information-based.
One of the podcasters even has an open beer as he is presenting in one of the shared clips.
That immediately sets the context that they are not trying to be a Caroline Wilson, Tom Morris or Mark Robinson. I’m not saying these guys can’t “break” a story if they find one, but listeners will tune in to hear an insightful yarn from a player rather than the news.
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Its worth noting that this wasn’t even a saga entirely fuelled by the media: the fallout was largely driven by Scott and the Bombers’ hierarchy. If they didn’t reprimand Draper, the media outlets wouldn’t have reported on it, or asked Luke Beveridge to respond and blow this out of proportion.
The truth is many AFL fans wouldn’t have heard the comments if not repeated and amplified – indeed, the podcast dropped on April 24, and it was only a week later where the Dons’ discontent with what Draper said was reported and made news. The Bulldogs players and Beveridge himself may have otherwise been blissfully unaware as they prepared to take on the Hawks.
Of those listeners who did hear the comments, none must have taken them seriously, given the time it took to become public.
And it’s worth noting this: how many others in footy media, or fans tuning in, have been saying the same thing about the struggling Bulldogs already?
Administrators of the game, and clubs, seem more interested in going after and controlling things that will attack the image surrounding the commercial product of the AFL brand rather than the fabric and integrity of the on-field game.
But even to that end, if Draper took the game into disrepute, why wasn’t he fined or stood down by the club or referred to the AFL, as per his playing contract? Probably because everyone knew they were innocuous comments not worth wasting any time.
The challenging part of governing podcasts is that this form of media is not directly covered in the AFL Players’ Association’s Collective Bargaining Agreement 2023-27, nor the AFL’s regulations. So, there could be the argument of what is private comment, and what is a statement coming from an official AFL representative.
Bombers ruckman Sam Draper. (Photo by Rob Blakers/Getty Images)
It’s potentially dangerous territory for the game with more and more players opting for these outside podcasts over interviews with AFL-accredited journalists and commentators, who the AFL does have a little bit of power over through the threat of terminating contracts and stripping accreditation.
Just ask the NRL’s Phil Gould, who was effectively censored in the way of a fine for calling the game’s new rules ‘stupid’, because he is also a contracted official at the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Draper hasn’t been the only player to come under fire for comments made on a podcast recently. Back in 2022 while playing with Collingwood, Jack Ginnivan gave the “Goes Alright” podcast a frank admission that he may have played for free kicks.
In other codes, NRL player Selwyn Cobbo made infamous remarks about Kevin Walters last year on the Back of the 135 podcast: “I don’t think he’s a good coach”. He was fined $15,000 by the club.
It makes you wonder: if players are going to cop this sort of backlash for showing a bit of personality and attempting some sarcastic humour for the entertainment of the public, then why should they bother with their time?
Many fans are becoming sick of the one-trick ponies and styles of the traditional media, and are looking for alternative podcasts.
If AFL and club officials are going to keep condemning the slightest spicy comment, it’s only going to hurt those who consume the game as followers, by not having any personality available to connect with.
It’s not like players need the extra responsibility given their already busy schedules and the pressure of being in the public eye.
nostats
Roar Rookie
yes they need someone the oppo really has to worry about. motlop can be that player in the future just hasnt been able to get on the park so therefore still inexperienced aswell.
Cinderella's Big Score
Roar Rookie
He is starting to grow on me, I thought he was pretty hopeless until this year. Certainly better than Fantasia and Durdin. When he has Martin and Fogarty in the forward line it probably works better. On the Gettable podcast they were adamant that the Blues number one trade priority should still be a dynamic small forward, targeting everybody from Charlie Cameron down. I'm inclined to agree.
nostats
Roar Rookie
he gets the job done for the blues but he is annoying, which is part of his role
Cinderella's Big Score
Roar Rookie
Illegitimate perhaps. I've heard him called a b____ many times. :stoked:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
13th l reckon you have an agenda to harpoon Bevo & get him on a plane to Freo He can bask in the sun & be your assistant coach from 25’ onwards. A unhealthy list of ex dogs have purple socks of late. :stoked:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
It happens from time to time Angela.
Angela
Roar Rookie
'THE AFL has found the umpiring in the 2016 Grand Final fell short of the standard expected from the three umpires of that elite calibre.'
Tez
Roar Rookie
If players cannot make lighthearted comments is it another avenue where there is no fun in the game for them? I know the players get paid lots of dollars but for the vast majority the game has still got to be fun to play. No fun, no enjoyment, and your performance drops off. I have no idea how to correct this issue but I di know from experience, no fun, no enjoyment, and eventually you just walk away.
nostats
Roar Rookie
owies chesty bonds son?
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Given his recent injury history you may struggle to see much of Rafa on the field. Be a good mental skills coach though! Tough as nails.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I feel privileged that you took the time.
Will Stefanson
Roar Rookie
I don't comment much Doc so when I do I make it count :laughing: . No hard feelings though. Please just stop writing those "this article is unnecessary" comments they do my head in.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He's comfortable in his own skin.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea like Scott Jefferey selection in the 2016 GF. Bless his soul :stoked:
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I can’t believe you spent the time writing that rant.
Prez
Roar Rookie
we can't handle "elite truths". Make people's brains explode.
Will Stefanson
Roar Rookie
The comment you created is also unnecessary. It seems you have made a habit of making comments that question the need for an article to be created (including footy ones, ie some of Tim Miller's pieces). Look, I don't find this particular article very interesting either. But instead of complaining about its existence, given that it is not of interest to you, maybe don't read it? Because ultimately Doc, given the 40 comments, this article is of interest to others. And even if it wasn't, do you think the site would be better off if it had not been written? You have not written anything since 2017, which is nothing wrong in itself. But if everyone had your attitude, no one would have anything to read...
Irie
Roar Rookie
The "Thought Police" at their very best
berrlins
Roar Pro
You can have personality, don't talk about negatively about other club officials. Whether it is fact or not have abit more respect.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Sounds like a good move :laughing: