Keep on keeping your noses clean

[Aker39]

http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/keep-on-keeping-your-noses-clean/2007/07/12/1183833691724.html?page=fullpage#

Great article from Todays Age


DEAR guys,
Hi! How are you? I trust that you are all happy and healthy and fit and well and are not taking drugs or starting brawls or spitting on fans or driving while drunk or assaulting women or having sex with anybody you shouldn't be having sex with.
Me? I'm fine.
No, I'm not. I'm a mess, to be honest. My love for the game is at crisis point. I'm hanging on by my fingernails, fellas. And I need your help.
My love for the Bulldogs goes back as far as I can remember. I was six when I was given my first Footscray football jumper, and it still ranks as one of the happiest moments of my life. I felt I was part of something.
And I still feel privileged that Ted Whitten lived just around the corner from us. "Good morning, boys," he would say to me and my friends as we walked to school. It was some way for a kid to start the day, let me tell you.
I've loved football ever since. But my faith in the game is now under siege.
It seems that a week can't go by without some new scandal involving an AFL football player coming to light. The latest catastrophe involves an alleged incident at the Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda last year.
We've all seen the vivid security camera footage on TV. It allegedly shows some prominent football players allegedly taking part in an alleged brawl.
Michael Voss, Simon Black and Fraser Gehrig are among those facing charges over the alleged violence. The most startling bit allegedly shows Gehrig allegedly pushing a woman to the floor.
It's not surprising. AFL players are now so strongly associated with this sort of behaviour you could compile their adventures with violence, drunkenness, sexual assault and trouble with the police into an encyclopedia.
It's reprehensible conduct — but what makes it even worse is the industry of excuse-making that has built up around it.
Regular as clockwork, each time an incident occurs, there follows a deafening chorus from club officials, AFL suits and media pundits imploring the public to cut the poor guy responsible some slack because, well, he's not responsible.
"He's too young/naive/stressed/confused/inexperienced to know any better," goes the mantra. The club might issue a token penalty — a few games' suspension, a pittance of a fine — but the general attitude is that we should let it go and move on.
It's now reached the point where AFL players are treated as though they are people with special needs, as though being an Aussie rules footballer involves contracting a peculiar mental condition that makes them oblivious to the responsibilities that come with being an adult.

It is a dark time for football, and the only thing getting me through all this is the comfort of knowing that at least the players from my team have not been involved in such heinous conduct. And that's how I want it to stay.
Strike that. It's how I need it to stay. Because I've had it with players who think the game belongs to them. That's never been true. It belongs to us. That's who you work for. So I need you guys to keep your noses clean. Otherwise, I'm sending my scarf back.
You see, my greatest fear is that one of you will be suckered into the cowardly, infantile mindset that has permeated so many players of the modern game, that having an elaborate support system of professional apologists permits them to behave like a thug or a junkie or a misogynist. Because it doesn't.
And all it takes is one. Brendan Fevola's appalling off-field conduct has tarnished Carlton. Richmond is the club that lost its TAC sponsorship because Jay Schulz drove drunk. And even if the Eagles win the grand final, 2007 will always be remembered as the year Ben Cousins put his love of drugs before the game.
The Bulldogs haven't won a grand final since 1954. It's been 15 years since a player won a Brownlow. And you know what? It doesn't matter. I'll choose a clean loser over a tainted winner every time.
I'll leave you with this.
At the Western Oval is a statue of Bulldogs legend Ted Whitten in glorious flight.
Of all the players in the history of the game, Whitten is the only one to earn the title "Mr Football". That is one hell of an honour.
And he didn't earn it because he made a lot of money, or because he was a loud-mouth or because he was a flashy presence on TV. He earned it because he represented the game at its finest. No other club in the league has a legacy like that.
They're big boots to fill. So whether you guys are in club colours or not, I'm counting on each of you to remember that.
We all are.
Yours
— Jim S
Jim Schembri is a senior Age writer

[Go_Dogs]

Good read, thanks for posting.

[Dogs Rule]

That is one of the best and most honest articles I have read in a while.

He speaks from the heart and his thoughts are reflective of what the majority of football supporters are thinking right now. Especially this bit:

"He's too young/naive/stressed/confused/inexperienced to know any better," goes the mantra. The club might issue a token penalty — a few games' suspension, a pittance of a fine — but the general attitude is that we should let it go and move on.

The public aren't stupid and the excuses from clubs wore thin a long time ago.

Well done Jim, a job well done.

[dales.girl38]

Great read, he speaks for all Bulldogs supporters when he said he hopes they keep out of all of that rubbish.

[Throughandthrough]

Great read, he speaks for all Bulldogs supporters when he said he hopes they keep out of all of that rubbish.


...or at a minimum remain out of the media :thumbsu:

[Butane]

So I need you guys to keep your noses clean. Otherwise, I'm sending my scarf back.
Ohh good, another idotic moral crusader, who will give away his scarf back to the club, if one idiot stuffs up. Awesome supporter, good to see you stick with a team through thick and thin. Why doesn't he send back his membership card??

And all it takes is one.
I can think of 2 incidents that never made it to the media. In fact one of them may never have even made it back to the club....Does this mean he'll only send his 'scarf' back if it makes the media?



And all it takes is one. Brendan Fevola's appalling off-field conduct has tarnished Carlton. Richmond is the club that lost its TAC sponsorship because Jay Schulz drove drunk.

or as he says.

The Bulldogs haven't won a grand final since 1954. It's been 15 years since a player won a Brownlow. And you know what? It doesn't matter. I'll choose a clean loser over a tainted winner every time.

So, if Carlton win next years flag with Fevola kicking 5 goals in the final, he would think the win is tainted because Fevola punched an irish barman 2 years ago and took his boots off during a game?.... Or if Jay Shultz plays for Richmond and they win a grand final in the future, its tainted because the guy made a mistake off the field? Jeez...

I think he lost the point. Don't get me wrong, its positive for the Bulldogs and thats always a plus, but i think this article was motived from 'how much better is my team', poor effort from an editor at the Age.

[Aker39]

Ohh good, another idotic moral crusader, who will give away his scarf back to the club, if one idiot stuffs up. Awesome supporter, good to see you stick with a team through thick and thin. Why doesn't he send back his membership card??


No, what he is saying is that he has had enough of the crap that footballers are getting up to and trying to get away with. If a Bulldog players was to stuff up, that would be enough to push him over the edge.

[mjp]

Where I grew up, Jack Sheedy was Mr Football...and I know that is sacreligious here, but that is just the way it was.

[John Gent]

You must have grown up on Mars, if you reckon there was a Mr Football other than EJ

[Pigdog]

All a bit high and mighty for me. Of course we don't want the club's image or reputation damaged, but this article is taking it all a bit too far.

[Femdog]

Jim Schembri's article says it all for me.
It is not so much that there are footballers who behave badly but that the clubs & the blokey past player dominated media excuses it.
I am afraid that if the dogs went down that path - I would send my membership back. Not because I am a fickle or not a "true" supporter but because violence, drug use, aggression and abuse of women is wrong & I don't want to be a member of a club that excuses it!
So, if a Bulldog player did behave badly, I'd expect the Dogs to act or I am out

[Butane]

Jim Schembri's article says it all for me.
It is not so much that there are footballers who behave badly but that the clubs & the blokey past player dominated media excuses it.
I am afraid that if the dogs went down that path - I would send my membership back. Not because I am a fickle or not a "true" supporter but because violence, drug use, aggression and abuse of women is wrong & I don't want to be a member of a club that excuses it!
So, if a Bulldog player did behave badly, I'd expect the Dogs to act or I am out

If Didak played for the dogs? And dogs did the same thing Collingwood have done would you send you membership back?

If Ben Cousins got traded to the dogs next year, would you sign up for a membership next year?

[Femdog]

If Didak played for the dogs? And dogs did the same thing Collingwood have done would you send you membership back?

If Ben Cousins got traded to the dogs next year, would you sign up for a membership next year?


Ahh...the tough questions.
Didak - membership returned. In the context of Collingwood has IMO excused too much player behaviour in the past (Tarrant's, Didak's, Holland's). I would return membership if Bulldogs appeared to excuse the behaviour and therefore the culture of the players at the Bulldogs as Collingwood appears to have.
Cousins - If traded to Bulldogs I would want public apology & acceptance of responsibility, particularly in regard to his position as role model to young supporters (if he doesn't like that responsibility play in a district league & give up the $$ & adoration if you can'y be accountable for your actions). I would also want made public conditions on his contract that demonstrate he is committed to changing his behaviour & committed to the responsibility attached with being an AFL footballer (drug testing, curfews).

What about others - what credibility would we sacrifice for a premiership?

[dales.girl38]

I'd be really disappointed if one of our players was caught doing something such as drugs, abusing women (probably the only thing I couldn't forgive) or being in a fight in a pub. But I'd never give up my membership because of it, I follow the club, and while I have favourite players and all of that, it's the club that I support and one person's mistake isn't the fault of the club- there are 40 odd guys and one guys stuff up shouldn't over take all of the other players good behaviour.

I don't understand how one incident could make you send back your membership, if you've supported the club long enough or if you really do love the club, then you'll be able to get over one incident and shouldn't compare it to what other clubs have done anyway.

[Femdog]

I'd be really disappointed if one of our players was caught doing something such as drugs, abusing women (probably the only thing I couldn't forgive) or being in a fight in a pub. But I'd never give up my membership because of it, I follow the club, and while I have favourite players and all of that, it's the club that I support and one person's mistake isn't the fault of the club- there are 40 odd guys and one guys stuff up shouldn't over take all of the other players good behaviour.

I don't understand how one incident could make you send back your membership, if you've supported the club long enough or if you really do love the club, then you'll be able to get over one incident and shouldn't compare it to what other clubs have done anyway.


I agree DG, I wouldn't blame the club for one players actions - but I do expect the club to respond to the behaviour. If one of the Dogs young players made headlines for off field "performance" I wouldn't blame the club, BUT if club trotted out "pressures, high expectations, he'll be counselled but will play next week" I'd blame the club. IMO this is saying the behaviour is ok - I'd want a Steve Johnson Geelong type suspension (although it was 2-3 incidents too late) it was what the football public, club & maybe even player needed.

If the club didn't act on off field behaviour I would send back the membership - then it is a club I don't want to be part of.

[FrediKanoute]

I agree DG, I wouldn't blame the club for one players actions - but I do expect the club to respond to the behaviour. If one of the Dogs young players made headlines for off field "performance" I wouldn't blame the club, BUT if club trotted out "pressures, high expectations, he'll be counselled but will play next week" I'd blame the club. IMO this is saying the behaviour is ok - I'd want a Steve Johnson Geelong type suspension (although it was 2-3 incidents too late) it was what the football public, club & maybe even player needed.

If the club didn't act on off field behaviour I would send back the membership - then it is a club I don't want to be part of.

I think this is the point of Schembri's article. Its not so much the players, but the apologists who make excuses for their behaviour and ask us not to tain the brand or their image as a result. What Schembri is getting at is that if the WB condoned that sort of behaviour and attemped to excuse the players behaviour he would send his membership back because what the club once stood for is no more.

If you look at the Wayne Carey incident, the damage that did to North was incredible, but they did the right thing in throwing him out of the club. Even as their best player, his lack of regard for his team mates was appalling. I'd expect nothing less from the dogs.

As for the apologists, well most of them are hangers on with absolutely no love for the game, merely their own ego's or they are past playes who haven't realised that their time ran out long ago. Schembri is right when he says that the game and its integrity is paramount. Talent gives you the opportunity to play the game at the highest level, but that opportunity is a privilege and should be treated as so. IMO, Cousins should have been banned to 2 years for knowlingly taking a prohibited substance. West Coast in knowing that he was taking a prohibited substance should have been stripped of the Premiership. The whole loser from all of this is the game and whilst it will endure and the protagonists will fade into collective history, you can't help but feel that incidents like this tarnish that which went before them.

[mjp]

You must have grown up on Mars, if you reckon there was a Mr Football other than EJ

Just not in Victoria JG.

[MeestaNob]

Great article, that's why I follow the Dogs.

It cost millions to put a team on the park, but you can never put a price on integrity.

[H Dolphin]

Great article, that's why I follow the Dogs.

It cost millions to put a team on the park, but you can never put a price on integrity.

It costs millions to in a flag. Paint the Footscray Town Hall, sorry, City of Maribyrnong Civic Centre, in red for a Centre Half Forward. To hell with the budget, let's that flag that my lot missed in 1961.