Geelong rorting the system

[NavySteel]

Yeah, because the AFL stripped us of our ability to build a team when we were penalised. We paid the price with interest.

I don’t think the AFL will go as hard as they did knowing they destroyed our club for the good part of 15 years. However other cases like the Crows copped heavy penalties as well.

So yeah, when suspect behaviour is treated as an “audit” and wrongdoing is slapped with a wet lettuce leaf and a finger wag from the AFL, folks supporting previously penalized clubs are going to go at it.

 

[Xtreme]

Rorting their own punishments now too

As the great Henri Leconte would say

UN-BULLEIBIBIBABLE

 

[theprospector]

I always think of this.

View attachment 2450125

To me this is the smoking gun in the whole thing

 

[Wojcinski]

To me this is the smoking gun in the whole thing

Joel Selwood wanted to win and was willing to sacrifice to do so. Sorry no one at your club cares enough about winning anything other than Brownlows or BnF's for them to do the same

 

[Bagger72]

Joel Selwood wanted to win and was willing to sacrifice to do so. Sorry no one at your club cares enough about winning anything other than Brownlows or BnF's for them to do the same

..and you are so wet behind the ears to believe he never got that money back?

 

[austyn08]

A lovely, neat outcome all around. The AFL's specialty.

Yep protect the brand, cats worked this out a while ago.

 

[tropicaltiger]

Willing to take a "paycut" takes on a whole new meaning now

exactly when negotiating with Charlie Curnow

oh yeah we forgot to mention that that farm you brought
comes with 400 head of cattle, a massive shed with built-in gymnasium and heated pool, and 2 state of the art Massey Ferguson Tractors and a stable of Fords the Everest, the Bronco and Mustang. a helicopter with a landing pad and full-time pilot are also available at the southern end of the farm for your personal use anytime you feel like a quick surf down Torquay way.

 

[PhatBoy]

exactly when negotiating with Charlie Curnow

oh yeah we forgot to mention that that farm you brought
comes with 400 head of cattle, a massive shed with built-in gymnasium and heated pool, and 2 state of the art Massey Ferguson Tractors and a stable of Fords the Everest, the Bronco and Mustang. a helicopter with a landing pad and full-time pilot are also available at the southern end of the farm for your personal use anytime you feel like a quick surf down Torquay way.

No one on a mediocre cattle farm would need two Masseys.
Throw in a bailer and a speed rower maybe if they’re growing some lucerne for feed.

 

[shaqsuns]

$77,500 isn't even enough to pay for Jeremy Cameron

5

Jeremy Cameron

Age

32

Ht

196cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.5

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.4

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

2.6

5star

D

10.0

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

2.9

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.2

3star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.4

4star

G

2.0

5star

's barn door

 

[Xtreme]

$77,500 isn't even enough to pay for Jeremy Cameron's barn door

Thats also the el cheapo version of the tuxedo suit that Patrick surfs in!

 

[RCAB]

You’d only be satisfied if a “dead body” was produced.

Nope

Why would a joint AFL and EY audit that took months have not left some stones unturned?

The HUN is reporting, “ the AFL investigation went back six years and saw the club handing over mobile phones and laptops but did not uncover any breaches involving financial deals between players and club sponsors.

Instead the AFL audit saw non lodgement of third party links that included club sponsors or associates allowing players to use accommodation in Queensland or gifting them bottles of wine. Club sponsors are not allowed to give free gifts, services or use of their properties without those deals being lodged and subjected to AFL rules”.

All clubs can expect similar scrutiny.

The AFL press release, is as expected, omitting nuance in a few key areas. Let me break it down.


What they're saying (and not saying)

Saying:
Fines$77.5k fine ($40k suspended)

What's missing:
Suspended amount signals AFL's confidence in it not being "systemic" but also gives them an accountability lever.

Saying:
Audit Scope2019–2024, done with EY

Missing:
This was broader than usual... more like a forensic sweep. EY involvement means flagged patterns triggered a deeper review.

Said:
No TPP breachConfirmed

Not said:
but TPP is only one dimension... the “non-disclosure” part can still mask advantages (like retaining players via trusted intermediaries).

Said:
AFLW ProgramAdmin errors

Didn't say:
Likely minor but this mention insulates the AFL from appearing blind to women’s league governance.

Said:
Hocking's QuoteFull cooperation, no material breach

What it means:
Standard language. The fact they included it signals an effort to reaffirm trust post-fine, which is not nothing.



More importantly what's been ommited...

What kind of third-party deals?

They don't say if these were business introductions, endorsement setups, or informal career help for partners/family.

These “club associate” links may include real estate, hospitality, or sponsor-adjacent benefits.



Which players were involved?

Zero mention of which players were linked to the “non-disclosures.”

From what I know personally (take it out leave it, I'm sure you'll leave it) it involves 2–3 senior figures and 1 mid-tier retention case, the names are carefully obscured (this will come out eventually).



How was it discovered?

No detail. Someone at AFL audited this and raised the alarm.



AFL's game plan date is to treat it as a slap on the wrist, send a quiet warning to other clubs (especially those replicating third-party strategies).

Reassert control over the narrative by saying: “We did the job. There’s no systemic corruption.”

Avoid player name exposure to prevent CBA tension or public backlash.


This is what I've known for a while... not an explosive breach, but a material nudge to the grey zone with Geelong navigating third-party edges better than most.

Think of it like cap acupuncture, painless on the surface, but strategically stimulating the right pressure points.

AFL has closed the file for now, but it’s also marked the territory for other clubs. The next “associate arrangement” slip-up by anyone else will get harsher scrutiny.

 

[Spearman]

The farm of a club associate...so they got close.

So they were out camping amongst the cow pies and forgot to report it? Damn dat's gangsta.

 

[nut]

Show me where Geelong have cut corners. Show me your due diligence. Highlight the rules broken and illegal practices undertaken. It should be easy work since it's "known".

Yep it’s now “Known” known.

 

[ReturningHawk]

How good were those Mad Monday costumes?

 

[ReturningHawk]

Admission of what? That the afl just bends to public opinion?

Geelong fined for undisclosed third-party payments, all details released.

Geelong fans: “what did we do wrong though”?

 

[PhatBoy]

Geelong fined for undisclosed third-party payments, all details released.

Geelong fans: “what did we do wrong though”?

We know something was done wrong. Hence we have been fined.

What you will find Cats fans are pointing out is that our mis-deed is not the thing that the conspiracists have spent the last few years accusing us of doing.

Conspiracy nuts: ‘You guys are cheating by paying players cash and farms etc under the table, and above what you’re allowed to pay them.

AFL: ‘Geelong have failed to declare a couple of things that DO come under what’s allowable, their crime being that they haven’t declared it.’

 

[Footy Smarts]

This is good stuff. The melts haven't disappointed.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Geelong fined for undisclosed third-party payments, all details released.

Geelong fans: “what did we do wrong though”?

There is a world of difference between breaching the cap and filing incorrect paperwork.

If the paperwork was done correctly first time then nothing to see

 

[radiojake]

AFL: ‘Geelong have failed to declare a couple of things that DO come under what’s allowable, their crime being that they haven’t declared it.’

funny that when the Crows didn't declare Tippet's extra Balfours money (even though it would have been allowable and not over the cap) we lost 2 first round draft picks

we even copped more draft sanctions than ****ing Essendon for their doping programme, and then they got rewarded with pick #1 after their players were banned for the season

 

[longdonkey]

The thing I hate most of all, is the smug campaigners know that their club is as bent as a nine bob note but they are never going to get caught. Its like the police investigating itself ....nothing to see here....move on.

 

[STPer18]

Everyone seems to be under the assumption the tiny punishment isn't also part of the rort. You could call the suspended fine the pièce de résistance. Le rort!

 

[CrowToon]

Surely this blatantly favourable decision came with an off-the-books directive not to pursue Curnow to save a bit of face.

 

[Erakor]

2022 AFL premiership *

 

[PhatBoy]

funny that when the Crows didn't declare Tippet's extra Balfours money (even though it would have been allowable and not over the cap) we lost 2 first round draft picks

we even copped more draft sanctions than ****ing Essendon for their doping programme, and then they got rewarded with pick #1 after their players were banned for the season

Take it up with the afl of back then, who seemed to deliver most of its punishment based on what it deemed a contract prejudicial to tampering with the draft

 

[ReturningHawk]

There is a world of difference between breaching the cap and filing incorrect paperwork.

If the paperwork was done correctly first time then nothing to see

Actually, you’ll find that “filing incorrect paperwork” is the basis for every single type of financial fraud.