In 2008 Brendan Fevola had gotten himself into a little strife.
His marriage had broken down, and his missus had advised him that his baby daughter was actually fathered by someone else. (A Carlton board member at the time)
Fev decided the grog and the punt were the best forms of release, and he set about partying pretty hard in his new single life.
Plenty of nights he didn't get home to Cheltenham where he lived, crashing at a variety of places near town.
On-field he kicked 99 goals, so the club turned a blind eye to his lifestyle, because he was getting results.
However, eventually the combination of grog and gambling took its toll, grog being the enemy of good judgement at the best of times, and gambling being a subject best left to the clear thinkers.
His lack of clear thinking led him to borrow money from colourful local identities, who were also supporters of the club.
It appears Fev had the impression they wouldn't want their money back. Or at least,t hey could wait for it.
But they did. And they wouldn't.
Breaking his legs was discussed, but as Carlton supporters they ended up settling on another plan.
Bet on Fev not performing, and get the money back that way.
So Fev was instructed that there would be some weeks where he wouldn't perform to his utmost.
Round 7 2009, they were playing Freo on the Gold Coast, and this game was identified as the game to make it happen.
Tens of thousands of dollars were bet on Fev, coming off 8 the week before against Hawthorn, to kick only one goal.
Unthinkable against the lowly Dockers.
He led, marked and kicked a point.
He led again, marked and kicked a goal, then left the ground, apparently injured.
But he was fine. He trained the house down and prepared for the big game against the Pies the next week.
However, all that money bet on him kicking 1 had ended up bringing down the odds.
So his benefactors needed him to 'perform' one more time, this time on one of footy's biggest stages.
This time they backed him to kick None against Collingwood at the G.
Fev was playing Full Forward but ventured so far up the ground there was no way any of his possessions were ever going to get near goal.
Eventually master coach Brett Ratten took him off and he stayed off, having not kicked a goal.
And his debts were declared: Paid.
The AFL had an investigation into the allegations, brought to them by the sponsor, a large betting company who had lost money on the sting.
But the AFL, using the best investigative powers found nothing untoward and cleared everyone of the allegations.
Fevola, coming off 99 goals and then 89 goals (with 2 games not trying) was traded to Brisbane at the end of the year.
* Some or all of this may not be the truth. But it is footy folklore.