Discussion 2025 General AFL Discussion

[Joffaboy]

I hope for SOS's sake and the clubs he can make peace with what has happened. It is plain to see that Tom is guilty. Just like Minga said, if he is going to be at the front of some kind of "Justice for Tom" campaign then I can't support him. I feel for him that he has had the wool pulled over his eyes by his son, but he needs to come to terms with reality now or move on from the club.

I hate the way the legal system is so stacked against the victim of rape. The whole incident, report, then court case is so traumatic for the victim, I totally understand why many are not followed through as much as there is usually no justice for the victim. The ongoing trauma of reliving the alleged crime would be terrible.

However there is a legal process and in the first trial the accused was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In our legal process, if the lawyers for the accused think there are grounds for an appeal, they are entitled to petition the court as such.

I cannot in all conscious deny the family of the convicted to support them through that.

The legal system is flawed and stacked against the victim, look at Brittany Higgins, now bankrupt due to coming forward but not being able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that douchebag who just lost a defamation case after a media outlet called him a rapist, actually r*ped her. It is really distressing however I am comforted that a trail and appeals system is in place as I may have to use it at some stage (god forbid not accused of rape).

This has zero to do with STKFC, is SOS supposed to lose his job because a family member has been convicted of a crime? I hope the club supports him and he can make his own decision about his future.

 

[Veer Right]

This will probably get deleted or (ideally moved to another thread) but I believe it’s important to share anyway,

As someone who just went through the judicial system in regard to a trial where there were multiple rape charges (as a support person to the victim-survivor), it will be especially hard for me to support SOS going forward if he continues to defend his son, a now convicted rapist.

It’s one thing to support your kid unconditionally, but after they have been convicted it’s quite disappointing to see them double down on him being innocent. His son is guilty, convicted. They need to stop being in denial and the sooner they do the sooner they can start to properly support their family in the healing process (for whatever that’s worth).

It is incredibly difficult to have rapists convicted, I’ve known of rapists who have hard evidence of their own confession and have still not been convicted. It is incredibly difficult to have the victim survivors feel safe enough to pursue justice, it’s very re-traumatising and often power dynamics remain in play, I even know of high ranking public officials have refused to come forward and give evidence of being r*ped because of how it would effect their careers. The system is extremely, extremely hard to get any justice through.

And yet, his son has been convicted of rape. My heart goes out to the victim-survivor who has shown tremendous courage, and in coming back to the footy side of this, this is a huge issue in our culture and I am saddened to think about how many incidents of sexual assault go without justice, and are further perpetuated. I don’t really care about SOS anyway, but, for his and everyone else’s benefit I hope he is able to process this traumatic event by accepting the truth about his son, as hard as that may be, it’s reality.

Two SOS at our club and you shit on their family.

 

[Veer Right]

Glad to see the back of Derm. Whole bunch I'd like him to take with him.

It felt like every time he was commenting on a game he would get lost in the old biff then go on and recount the good old days, ignoring the game in the present. Happy he has been moved on.

 

[saint66au]

Two SOS at our club and you shit on their family.

Some things transcend football. I dont care which Club they are associated with, SOS and his wife have acted appallingly IMO

 

[beside the seaside]

I hate the way the legal system is so stacked against the victim of rape. The whole incident, report, then court case is so traumatic for the victim, I totally understand why many are not followed through as much as there is usually no justice for the victim. The ongoing trauma of reliving the alleged crime would be terrible.

However there is a legal process and in the first trial the accused was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In our legal process, if the lawyers for the accused think there are grounds for an appeal, they are entitled to petition the court as such.

I cannot in all conscious deny the family of the convicted to support them through that.

The legal system is flawed and stacked against the victim, look at Brittany Higgins, now bankrupt due to coming forward but not being able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that douchebag who just lost a defamation case after a media outlet called him a rapist, actually r*ped her. It is really distressing however I am comforted that a trail and appeals system is in place as I may have to use it at some stage (god forbid not accused of rape).

This has zero to do with STKFC, is SOS supposed to lose his job because a family member has been convicted of a crime? I hope the club supports him and he can make his own decision about his future.

Being the list manager of a football club isn't a normal job. I just don't see how he can be the list manager and also at the front of a campaign to basically label this victim a liar. He needs to figure out how this all happens but it will reflect terribly on the club if he keeps speaking in public about it.

 

[Minga]

Two SOS at our club and you shit on their family.

Spare me the pathetic tribalism.

And I’m not shitting on their family, I am pointing out that their healing cannot commence as long as they remain in denial, I want them and all parties involved to be able to heal.

If SOS Snr continues to double down on defending a rapist and denying the victim-survivor of her justice and reality, then I do not support him, and most will agree whether you like it or not, regardless of what club their family is associated at, it’s bigger than this recreational ball sport.

Rapists are very rarely convicted, it is despairingly rare. For Tom to be convicted despite a very prestigious defence is extremely damning, and a scarce example of justice prevailing.

 

[Joffaboy]

Being the list manager of a football club isn't a normal job. I just don't see how he can be the list manager and also at the front of a campaign to basically label this victim a liar. He needs to figure out how this all happens but it will reflect terribly on the club if he keeps speaking in public about it.

Maybe cut the emotive framing. He is supporying his family in the exploration of an appeal.
Unless you are against this part of the legal process where a conviction can be appealled, I dont see why you are so against this.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Two words: You’re wrong.
Another two words: Greg Lynn.

You just reminded me why I had you on ignore. Thanks.

 

[beside the seaside]

Maybe cut the emotive framing. He is supporying his family in the exploration of an appeal.
Unless you are against this part of the legal process where a conviction can be appealled, I dont see why you are so against this.

I don't think it's emotive at all. I have a lot of sympathy for SOS, this would be hell for him and that is evident. But having him in front of the camera making statements about this is a terrible look and I really hope it's the last time we see it while he's employed by our club.

 

[bergholt]

Some things transcend football. I dont care which Club they are associated with, SOS and his wife have acted appallingly IMO

Pretty hard to understand how someone "should" act in this situation unless you've been there. I'm sure they love their son and if he's still saying "but mum and dad I didn't do it" then what's their option? Support him unconditionally in appealing the verdict? Tell him they don't believe him and hang him out to dry? I don't think either are 100% right or 100% wrong.

I've had a relative accused of sexual assault. He swore it didn't happen. Personally I didn't really believe him because I'm inclined to believe victims, but I tried to support him while still staying true to my values. Eventually the charges were dropped and the strong implication from the police was that there was a pattern of this from the complainant. Since then my relationship with the relative has been very strained. I don't know if I did the right thing or the wrong thing.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Haven't educated myself on the nuances of the AFLW draft, but I just noticed the Gold Coast Suns were able to draft six of their academy players inside the top 15

 

[DarkSaint]

SOS can support whoever he likes and defend whoever he likes, everyone has a right. However, if it causes issues in his workplace such as loss of membership due to public image/Impacts his role as a list manager or brings negativity to the club, then yes he should be removed from that position.

Unfortunately being in the public is different to your normal job, so if that impacts anything to do with your workplace, then he must be removed from his position.

 

[Sully111]

Haven't educated myself on the nuances of the AFLW draft, but I just noticed the Gold Coast Suns were able to draft six of their academy players inside the top 15

Dude... like... don't be negative man

Equality for the sexes!!

Equal opportunity nepotism!!

System sorting for the GC boys and girls in a balanced manner!!

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Haven't educated myself on the nuances of the AFLW draft, but I just noticed the Gold Coast Suns were able to draft six of their academy players inside the top 15

Dude... like... don't be negative man

Equality for the sexes!!

Equal opportunity nepotism!!

System sorting for the GC boys and girls in a balanced manner!!

 

[saint66au]

Pretty hard to understand how someone "should" act in this situation unless you've been there. I'm sure they love their son and if he's still saying "but mum and dad I didn't do it" then what's their option? Support him unconditionally in appealing the verdict? Tell him they don't believe him and hang him out to dry? I don't think either are 100% right or 100% wrong.

I've had a relative accused of sexual assault. He swore it didn't happen. Personally I didn't really believe him because I'm inclined to believe victims, but I tried to support him while still staying true to my values. Eventually the charges were dropped and the strong implication from the police was that there was a pattern of this from the complainant. Since then my relationship with the relative has been very strained. I don't know if I did the right thing or the wrong thing.

They have the right of appeal, but its also OK to support your son whilst still having a shred of compassion for the victim. Theyve, at least publicly, shown none

Also my point was also that we dont have to support them purely because they are linked to our footy Club. Thats nonsense