NO TROLLS Another AFL player charged with sexual assault

[CatToTheFuture]

If it is to be him, would be disappointed in the club in what would appear to be a severe lack of background checks and character assessment.

It's one thing to draft a guy and he screws up 6 years later. That's pretty hard to forecast, and people can change significantly over a lengthy period of time like that. You can't really blame a company, or in this case a football club in that regard.

To only be somewhere for three months though, and already leave a trail of destruction of sorts suggests that he was like this well before anything AFL related entered the picture.

Again, obviously preface only that this is only relevant if it is him though.

Just hate the idea of these scenarios, Geelong player or otherwise.

The thing is though how much backgrounding can you do on the hundreds of potential draftees? How long does that take? If you want every single potential draftees closet checked for skeletons you'll need an entire closet checking division added to the business.

If you do thorough checks on the top potential selections and accept you might have to delist one or two late picks then that seems reasonable.

I would be much angrier about a guy in and around the club for years doing something like that.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

The person charged might currently be on an AFL list, they might be a former AFL player or they might be a total unknown that plays for a regional team in the Geelong area.

What I have read in the media today says that one is a current AFL player, and the other does not play AFL.

 

[sexyhunk]

i am surprise if it ends up being a relatively known player as we have so many "newsbreaker" now in the afl media all vying to be the first to break news. still not heard a beep from any of them.

 

[Kappa]

There’s no way at all you can play under these charges.

If I run a high-profile company there is no way on earth I’m having somebody out there representing me while charged with this.

Stood down and you’re not coming to work. Full pay and professional support provided, but there’s no way you’re gonna be out there representing the company.

Just the way it is. The club is bigger than any individual.

I hope people who get stood down and miss out on opportunities but then get found innocent start suing companies if we're gonna start this guilty until we found out ur innocent rubbish

 

[Senor M]

I'm not siding with an alleged rapist. I'm looking at it from a purely legal standpoint which the AFL would be looking at. If the league or club stands the alleged rapist down and they're proven not guilty in court it would open a whole new can of worms

Tell me more about your legal credentials mate?

Based on the current contracts AFL players sign both the league & the club are within their rights to stand down a player while an investigation is pending of a major issue.

Reflect on what you’re currently saying mate; because it’s deeply concerning that you’re aligning yourself with the interests of the alleged rapist instead of the interests of the victim.

 

[hawkman]

i am surprise if it ends up being a relatively known player as we have so many "newsbreaker" now in the afl media all vying to be the first to break news. still not heard a beep from any of them.

Not sure these "newsbreakers" want to be charged for breaking a suppression order.

 

[ShadowCat]

How about we don't speculate and name people in ways that could upset a prosecutor

That's fair. But to be honest, there is something strange about his absence. I'd also find it odd if prosecutors were lurking on BF.

I'll leave it there though, and I've edited the post to essentially suggest it might be someone besides Tanner.

EDIT: Actually I've deleted it, after rethinking it. Too complicated to amend, and not worth the fallout if something were to arise.

 

[Sttew]

Murdoch's media outlets have used the term "AFL player" as a descriptor for anyone that plays footy in the past. I wouldn't get too hung on up that part of the headline until more information comes out. The person charged might currently be on an AFL list, they might be a former AFL player or they might be a total unknown that plays for a regional team in the Geelong area.

Except that you wouldn’t be seeking comment from the AFL if it was a local league player?

But as other have pointed out the moment any current AFL player transgresses they are described in the Murdoch media as “AFL Star”. That this person is just described as “AFL player” suggests it could be someone who just plays the game of Australian Rules?

 

[Tom14]

If it was a remotely known player, wouldn't all the media be doing the "AFL Superstar" bullshizen?

Potentially identifiable if you describe as that with the Geelong info, and there is clearly a court suppression order.

 

[Kappa]

Tell me more about your legal credentials mate?

Based on the current contracts AFL players sign both the league & the club are within their rights to stand down a player while an investigation is pending of a major issue.

Reflect on what you’re currently saying mate; because it’s deeply concerning that you’re aligning yourself with the interests of the alleged rapist instead of the interests of the victim.

The fact you say alleged rapist but also victim shows exactly where your mind is at.

Until anything it's proven it's two innocent parties.

If you wanna start punishing people based on accusations that's an extremely dangerous and idiotic pathway for society to go down.

 

[BF Tiger]

The fact you say alleged rapist but also victim shows exactly where your mind is at.

Until anything it's proven it's two innocent parties.

If you wanna start punishing people based on accusations that's an extremely dangerous and idiotic pathway for society to go down.

What would be idiotic is for the club involved and the AFL to risk the brand damage of having a player shine throughout the season and then convicted of rape, having known that that was a possibility all along.

Easier for the club and the AFL to put the player on gardening leave, pay him what he is due and assess after the court case.

 

[Senor M]

The fact you say alleged rapist but also victim shows exactly where your mind is at.

Until anything it's proven it's two innocent parties.

If you wanna start punishing people based on accusations that's an extremely dangerous and idiotic pathway for society to go down.

Do you understand what the word “alleged” means?

Do you understand that within the contracts that the players sign that both the league and the club have the legal right to stand a player down while an investigation is taking place?

The “idiotic pathway” that society is going down is people choosing to make legal judgements based on the “vibe” of the case rather than understanding of basic legal terminology.

 

[Hamingja]

Very easy to report that the guy has a long-term injury. And then have him mysteriously not be mentioned by anyone at the club until it's resolved.

If it was going to court in a timely manner, sure, bit hard to pull off if the court case gets dragged out for years

 

[The Feeder Club]

Do you understand what the word “alleged” means?

Do you understand that within the contracts that the players sign that both the league and the club have the legal right to stand a player down while an investigation is taking place?

The “idiotic pathway” that society is going down is people choosing to make legal judgements based on the “vibe” of the case rather than understanding of basic legal terminology.

The concern with your original post, presumably, is you referred to an alleged rapist, but then said victim. Not complainant, or accuser, or some other term.
I know it is fashionable in progressive legal circles to talk of victim-survivors for anyone making allegations of sexual assault, even those that are subsequently not upheld in a criminal court. but some people still prefer something less prejudicial to the accused.

 

[Kappa]

Do you understand what the word “alleged” means?

Do you understand that within the contracts that the players sign that both the league and the club have the legal right to stand a player down while an investigation is taking place?

The “idiotic pathway” that society is going down is people choosing to make legal judgements based on the “vibe” of the case rather than understanding of basic legal terminology.

Do you understand what alleged means? Because if you did, you would say "alleged victim" not "victim", do you understand the difference?

The idiotic pathway is making people look guilty and robbing them of opportunities before they even have their say in court, which is exactly what suspending someone from their work does.

Some of these cases can last 3 years, you want someone stood down for that long? That's almost the length of an average AFL career...

What would be idiotic is for the club involved and the AFL to risk the brand damage of having a player shine throughout the season and then convicted of rape, having known that that was a possibility all along.

Easier for the club and the AFL to put the player on gardening leave, pay him what he is due and assess after the court case.

There are some things more important than brand, such as innocent until proven guilty and a fair trial.

 

[Senor M]

Do you understand what alleged means? Because if you did, you would say "alleged victim" not "victim", do you understand the difference?

Mate— the person that made the allegation has been harmed by the event; otherwise the allegation wouldn’t be made. The necessary proof to determine that they are a victim rather than an “alleged victim” is the act of them reporting the incident. Someone who is not harmed by an event doesn’t go to the police for no reason.

But thank you for proving that you don’t understand how language works.

The idiotic pathway is making people look guilty and robbing them of opportunities before they even have their say in court, which is exactly what suspending someone from their work does.

Some of these cases can last 3 years, you want someone stood down for that long? That's almost the length of an average career?

That’s not unique to footballers mate.

If one of my co-workers is charged of sexual assault, they are stood down from work until the investigation is complete. We saw two nurses in NSW stood down from their workplace only last week. Don’t pretend that it doesn’t because it doesn’t fit your world view. Your suggestion that we should trust the alleged rapist is toxic. I really hope that none of the women in my life have to interact with you.

I’ll say it again (as eventually you might understand) both the club & the league have the right to stand down a player during this investigation. It’s within the contracts the players sign.

 

[demondavey]

Sounds like it is either a Geelong player or a player who was drafted from Geelong and has family in Geelong.

If they are guilty, whoever they are, I hope they get a long prison sentence.

Unfortunately it’s very difficult to get a conviction for rape, as in, one worthy of a prison sentence. If there’s enough ambiguity the case is often hard to win.

 

[BF Tiger]

Do you understand what alleged means? Because if you did, you would say "alleged victim" not "victim", do you understand the difference?

The idiotic pathway is making people look guilty and robbing them of opportunities before they even have their say in court, which is exactly what suspending someone from their work does.

Some of these cases can last 3 years, you want someone stood down for that long? That's almost the length of an average AFL career...



There are some things more important than brand, such as innocent until proven guilty and a fair trial.

The accused will still remain innocent until proven guilty and get a fair trial. But that isn’t the concern of the AFL and/or club.

 

[demondavey]

Do you understand what alleged means? Because if you did, you would say "alleged victim" not "victim", do you understand the difference?

The idiotic pathway is making people look guilty and robbing them of opportunities before they even have their say in court, which is exactly what suspending someone from their work does.

Some of these cases can last 3 years, you want someone stood down for that long? That's almost the length of an average AFL career...



There are some things more important than brand, such as innocent until proven guilty and a fair trial.

So someone who plays football has a career that’s more important than the case going before the court? Let me word you up sunshine; if police have charged someone for rape or sexual assault then the evidence they have is good enough to bring that charge. The police don’t just hand out rape charges Willy nilly. If the victim has gone to the extent of reporting they’re likely to have had legal advice, it’s a huge accusation.

Your suggestions of alleged victim are virtually victim blaming.

You really need to get your head right.

 

[demondavey]

I hope people who get stood down and miss out on opportunities but then get found innocent start suing companies if we're gonna start this guilty until we found out ur innocent rubbish

Let me give you a tip, if you’ve been charged with rape then there’s a pretty good chance you’ve made some poor decisions. I am sorry, but people in consensual sexual situations aren’t getting charged with rape.

You’re absolutely toxic.

 

[demondavey]

I'm not siding with an alleged rapist. I'm looking at it from a purely legal standpoint which the AFL would be looking at. If the league or club stands the alleged rapist down and they're proven not guilty in court it would open a whole new can of worms

Completely separate issues. If you’ve been charged with rape you’ve clearly made a poor decision somewhere and the police will have evidence enough to pull that charge.

You’re getting stood down for being charged with rape. It’s serious. The court case is to prove that the charges meet the threshold for a legal penalty.

There is literally no can of worms to open. As I said to someone else, if you’ve been charged with rape you’ve definitely done something to warrant that. It’s a huge deal to accuse someone let alone a public figure and you open yourself up to all sorts of issues if you’re fabricating it.

 

[demondavey]

Do you understand what the word “alleged” means?

Do you understand that within the contracts that the players sign that both the league and the club have the legal right to stand a player down while an investigation is taking place?

The “idiotic pathway” that society is going down is people choosing to make legal judgements based on the “vibe” of the case rather than understanding of basic legal terminology.

Don’t bother, he has no idea and would rather side with the person charged with rape. Says plenty about him.

 

[demondavey]

The fact you say alleged rapist but also victim shows exactly where your mind is at.

Until anything it's proven it's two innocent parties.

If you wanna start punishing people based on accusations that's an extremely dangerous and idiotic pathway for society to go down.

What do you think you need to have done to be charged by the police with rape? Perhaps meet a threshold by a legal definition to have committed rape?

God I hope you don’t have a daughter.

 

[The Feeder Club]

Let me give you a tip, if you’ve been charged with rape then there’s a pretty good chance you’ve made some poor decisions. I am sorry, but people in consensual sexual situations aren’t getting charged with rape.

You’re absolutely toxic.

These are actually pretty complex issues and if you have been following anything related to the office of the NSW DPP and the bringing before the courts of (to paraphrase presiding magistrates) hopeless sexual assault cases with no prospect of conviction, based on a "always believe the victim" mentality in the office of the DPP, you would know that. And the situation will only get more complicated, and nuanced, as new consent laws like the 2022 NSW laws (read up on them if you don't know what they now stipulate is required for consent) pass their way through the legal system across Australia.
I completely agree that the accused bloke here shouldn't be playing AFL and to stand him down does not assume guilt, it's just common sense for him not to play. But your take on the legal system is pretty simplistic for a highly complex and evolving issue.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Assuming a Cats player, hopefully they are stood down until this is resolved.

Nice little court case against the AFL very easily then for defamation against the AFL if they are found not guilty