Roast AFL PR Virtual Signalling

[FR0GGY]

Agree Ranks wasn't the victim, but not sure Quaynor was either?

Yeah he didn’t seem to care.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Maybe don't be a dickhead?

The AFL made it abundantly clear they were whacking anyone who threw out those insults, plus there are a million others. Rankine also had time to correct this behaviour, and I do quietly wonder if we had let it slide in the past.

Hopefully, he learns because he did cost us a finals series from what was effectively arrogance. He does get a bit of a redemption arc once he starts putting up big numbers; playing well does cure all ills.

My point isn't punishment. My point is leaking to the media. He said it under his breath with no recording of it anywhere. Besides I'm not discussing the incident itself I'm discussing the afls thoughtless leaking and attempt to let the public dictate punishment.

 

[adelaidecrows]

They kept talking about it after the decision had come down and saying he needed to do a press conference apology when no other player did.

a lot of star player tax on this one.

Not only a press conference apology but it appears he was also expected to do an apology tour. Again not talking about the punishment itself or the incident or the Rankine was even a victim. I'm specifically not happy with the afls handling and frankly if they keep doing it a star player on the future could just not play the AFL game, tell them to f off and peace out. Fans play bloody good money to watch the stars play football they don't pay good money for the pseudo political stance.

 

[adelaidecrows]

The leaking part was the fact that McGuire was able to come out and announce the penalty before it was formally released. Which meant that the AFL was communicating with the media during the process. It was unprofessional and grubby, which is par for the course for the AFL.

And I think that's what really hurt the process. The media get the benefit so they won't call it out but the AFL should be called out for it. They leaked at every stage. They ran potential punishments through the media for days road testing the pr. It was not a good look and surely the players and aflpa took note on just how quick the AFL doesn't give a shit about them.

 

[1970crow]

The leaking part was the fact that McGuire was able to come out and announce the penalty before it was formally released. Which meant that the AFL was communicating with the media during the process. It was unprofessional and grubby, which is par for the course for the AFL.

Part of the process could also be that the AFL advises the other party as to their decision. It could have been someone from the Pies leaking to McGuire.

 

[1970crow]

Calling accountability for homophobia “virtue signalling” completely misses the point. The precedent was already set — other players have been suspended for the same language, so this wasn’t some PR stunt aimed at Rankine personally.

As someone still playing footy, I can tell you there’s still a long way to go inside clubs when it comes to this sort of behaviour. I’ve personally seen players walk away from teams and from the game altogether because of comments about their sexuality — so calling it “virtue signalling” ignores the real impact it has on people.

I’m glad Rankine showed remorse, because growth matters, but he wasn’t the victim here — Quaynor was. The precedent was already set, and holding players accountable isn’t about tearing the game down; it’s about making sure everyone actually feels safe being part of it. If we want footy to keep evolving, we have to be honest about the culture and be willing to challenge it.

Don’t think Qaynor was a victim at all, he didn’t give 2 cruds, he didn’t even report it. Rankine did the crime and is doing the time, but this was t a scenario where there was an actual victim.

 

[1970crow]

That was just a media circus, not something directed by the AFL. But I agree, his high profile increased the scrutiny.



Don't get me wrong, I agree that Rankine should have been held to account. But it should have been handled in-house until the suspension was announced.

There is another club and a heap of players involved though, never keeping that in-house.

 

[adelaidecrows]

There is another club and a heap of players involved though, never keeping that in-house.

The AFL keeping it in house would be more not leaking decisions than not having press conferences.

 

[1970crow]

The AFL keeping it in house would be more not leaking decisions than not having press conferences.

But I don’t think it would be abnormal for the outcome to be provided to the 2 parties for consideration and allow enough time to come back with comment. We used the time to prepare an argument to reduce the suspension, Pies likely didn’t care as long as he wasn’t going to feature in finals. It’s highly likely someone from the Pies told Eddie during this period.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

AFL is entertainment business, very popular in Australia. Generates big dollars. Players are paid well.

That's the good bit for the players

The down side is that any mistakes players make are big news and they will be front and centre of the media cycle for a period of time. The bigger the player contract, the bigger media splash a mistake makes.

For the players, they can't have one thing without the other.

 

[Crom1995]

Don’t think Qaynor was a victim at all, he didn’t give 2 cruds, he didn’t even report it. Rankine did the crime and is doing the time, but this was t a scenario where there was an actual victim.

He was the victim/target of the slur. Just because he hasn't told you personally he wasn't affected, doesn't mean he wasn't. Pedantic.

 

[brucetiki]

Also while we’re on the topic

Tuesday night was probably one of the best nights we’ve had as Rainbow Crows. The Q&A we had with the players was fantastic. We touched on Izak’s Pride in Sport training, but we also discussed things like who their toughest opponents are (EJ saying Chelsea Randall at training got a few laughs) and what the best part of pre-season training is.

All up, it was a great evening

 

[1970crow]

He was the victim/target of the slur. Just because he hasn't told you personally he wasn't affected, doesn't mean he wasn't. Pedantic.

100% agree he was the target, but he wasn’t a victim. Lots of things you can be the target of but not be a victim. Why should you get away with blatant inaccuracies? Don’t be inaccurate/inflammatory and you won’t be called out.

 

[ftmch]

Tuesday night was probably one of the best nights we’ve had as Rainbow Crows. The Q&A we had with the players was fantastic. We touched on Izak’s Pride in Sport training, but we also discussed things like who their toughest opponents are (EJ saying Chelsea Randall at training got a few laughs) and what the best part of pre-season training is.

All up, it was a great evening

I love that Izak attending this has been done under radar, with little fanfare. The worst thing that the club (or Izak) could have done would have been to put it up on socials etc..

Suggests he was there for the right reasons (which his interview on the podcast certainly seemed to support also).

 

[Captain_Plane]

Just watched the interview, so funny hearing Izak being like I'm not a victim, it's easy to sit on your arse and think why is this happening to me, but you have to own the mistake and be reflective but also look positively towards the future. Then everyone on bigfooty posting how he's the victim. He just said "I'm sorry for what I did, let's all move forward together". Maybe bigfooty posters also can move on from the victim mentality etc ...
Also re: the "wanted to retire" comment he also says "I was dealing with that already"

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Don’t think Qaynor was a victim at all, he didn’t give 2 cruds, he didn’t even report it. Rankine did the crime and is doing the time, but this was t a scenario where there was an actual victim.

Would Moore have even reported it if we weren't likely to play them soon in a final...

 

[CrowToon]

The utter farce that is protecting identity when it comes to drug use but not doing so when it's something else is inconsistent.

But the issue isn't really the AFL but society. Everyone piles on during a witch hunt and it's insane.

Like someone even accused OP of being an apologist for homophobia when that wasn't even the point of the post because too many people are racing to be offended or call someone out rather than bothering to actually think and discuss.

 

[adelaidecrows]

The utter farce that is protecting identity when it comes to drug use but not doing so when it's something else is inconsistent.

But the issue isn't really the AFL but society. Everyone piles on during a witch hunt and it's insane.

Like someone even accused OP of being an apologist for homophobia when that wasn't even the point of the post because too many people are racing to be offended or call someone out rather than bothering to actually think and discuss.

Exactly. most people got the post. it was about the punishment not the crime. If you sentence someone to 4 years for stealing a loaf of bread, people will comment about the punishment being too harsh. Doesnt make them homophobic it makes them critical thinkers who can understand that crime and punishment are two very different thinks and talking against one doesnt diminish the other.

Your first point is spot on. Its hypocritical.

The reason why drug use is kept secret is because the AFL is out to not only protect its image it doesnt want its biggest stars run out of the game. Which will occur. But this is the mistake the AFL is making. There are people out there that wanted Rankine gone for his comments. This was loud and clear and many forums had that exact conversation.

The smart thing for all would have been an in house investigation, then once punishment is decided, a joint statement between the afl, the crows and an immediate apology from Rankine. This stops everything in its tracks. There is no debate as the whole thing is controlled and airtime is done, they can write their followups but at the end of the day the fuel disappears. But because the AFL involved the public in the discussion through leaks, it gained traction and everyone seemed to think they deserved a say. The whole process is flawed and counter productive.