Shouldn’t it be innocent until proven guilty?
It is, that’s why they’re not locked up
Just because they don’t end up being charged doesn’t mean they didn’t do what is alleged
But imo if Sydney were prepared to suspend them for the whole finals series( when they were a legit flag chance)- then something bad must of happened
2 Likes
Or they were pressured by the AFaiL to be seen to be doing something.
6 Likes
No club is going to suspend their players for a full final series unless there is something bad even with pressure coming from the AFL
1 Like
It was noted that done in conjunction with the AFLW leaders input
The whole respect for women thing playing a big part. It was a very bad look.
Have a situation where players have had a bender in season after a game, on a work trip in employer paid for hotel, with strippers booked and drugs being taken & found in the room.
The alleged sexual assault separate issue
The causing AFL disrepute would have carried its own push from them for sure, but as far as professional standards expected of the players by the Swans the situation they were in meant they copped the month/rest of season suspension
The Swans leadership group was livid with them and rightly so.
9 Likes
That’s how I saw it too. What shocked them so much into acting swiftly and decisively, when you think they’d wanna wait till the facts came out, or try to excuse their top players for breaking internal rules about behaviour on nights out, or something. Basically knew their season was cooked by doing that. I guess it could be as simple as doing the right thing by rules and standards they have in place being broken, but we’re so used to clubs and the AFL looking the other way when it suits.
5 Likes
They couldn’t contain it, but if they could have I agree with you there would have been a lesser penalty via some swift carpet sweeping
2 Likes
some posters were referred to as enablers of violence against women.
I thought that slur was uncalled for.
I believe the players were suspended for taking illicit drugs, being caught partying with strippers during the season, and putting themselves in a position where allegations alone will impact the sydney and AFL brand.
The penalty for sexual assault, if proven, would be for the legal system to determine.
6 Likes
FFS.
2 Likes
The stance you took @stir_fried_ewok was absolutely correct.
Some believe the more outraged you are, the more righteous you are. Even to the point of shaming those they have a slight difference with despite also having a ton of common ground.
Sensible, mature, less cynical conversations needs to be had surrounding these matters.
3 Likes
I’m not sure about guilty, but some of those who’ve had the biggest go at the players have certainly shown empathy for the women.
And vice versa.
I’ve already suggested that if this was not made public, then the Swans would not have taken any action.
For me, I would like it to be clarified that the accusations were made in good faith, that is the dealbreaker for me. If that is true, then let the cards fall where they may, and any collateral damage to players reputations is simply situational fallout. All is fair if both sides are playing fair.
I can see a possibility where all parties could hold differing views, and from their perspective, in their minds they are all in the right.
The situation is a mess as it currently stands, the void creates a space for people to fill it with their own narrative and with the lack of information almost everything and anything is plausible.
1 Like
I can’t imagine the AFLW swans players would be so disgusted with them ordering strippers that they wanted them suspended
It’s really none of their business if that’s all it was.
But I suspect they are privy to a lot more of the info than us
It’s more given the investigation and possible civil action will take months, the AFL only care about their precious final series not being tainted by Isaac Heeney kicking the winning goal and all the focus being on drugs, strippers and integrity.
Yaco is right - if only Cox knew about this, there’d be zero penalty. they got caught and tried for a 2 week suspension (some reports on this) which would have the 5 back for the PF,
but the AFL care about optics, optics and then optics, and they would have told Swans if you don’t sit them out for the season we will. (we know all significant issues are controlled by AFL head office).
The existence of AFLW make issues such as this more difficult for the head office boys to sweep away quickly.
Agree swans and AFL know more, but beyond drugs and strippers, what else happened is contested.
It’s still a problem without assault charges.
The swans should be dragged through bringing the game into disrepute.
Seriously. Within the cohort of AFL and AFLW players there are some that use strippers/visit strip/ hire escorts etc, etc, etc. After all these are legal industries in Australia.
Just two little bits to add to the above:
- They were traveling for their work and involved in a drug fuelled party (regardless of what they did or didn’t do)
- They were involved in a drug fuelled event where their ‘legally’ engaged guests were so distressed that they called the police for assistance
5 Likes
I’d be sacked if I did that on a work trip to Melbourne im pretty sure.
3 Likes