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“Finger-Gate: SFA Admin Gralin Under Investigation After Flipping the Bird at FootyGuy13”
By Mike Crutch | July 16, 2025
In a moment that has sent shockwaves through the Sweet FA (SFA) community, league administrator Gralin is now under official investigation after allegedly flipping the bird at Vic Country player FootyGuy13 during the Round 5 State of Origin match at Adelaide Oval — a gesture that’s raised serious questions about conduct, consistency, and just how unhinged admin behaviour can get.
The incident, captured live during the South Australia vs Vic Country clash, has already been dubbed “Finger-Gate” by fans, following a flood of reactions, memes, and condemnation — not just because of the gesture itself, but because it came from one of the league’s most high-profile admins.
Caught in the Act: The Incident
Before the start of the game, FootyGuy13 made a genuine statement about Gralin being late by 1 min to which Gralin then replied with the middle finger salute.
The SFA Twitch chat erupted, and not long after, this moment was recorded in the official match thread on BigFooty:
“Did Gralin just flip the bird at FootyGuy13?! I swear I saw it live…”
— 3KZ is Football, Jul 15, 2025
From there, the thread blew up like a qooty ball in a microwave.
Fallout: “An Admin Did What?”
While players throwing shade or dropping a stray elbow is almost expected in Origin footy, an administrator stepping onto the field of controversy is a different matter entirely.
Gralin, who has been part of the league’s governing panel since 2025 and is known for his irreverent humour and blunt communication style, now finds himself the subject of a league tribunal — under his own system.
“It’s like a teacher swearing in class, then sending themselves to detention,” said a random SFA poster.
“I love it, but I’m also not sure if the league is on fire or evolving.”
The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. Gralin, a key figure in maintaining league standards and overseeing forum moderation, may now be the first admin in SFA history to be sanctioned by the very tribunal he helps oversee.
What Sparked It?
While it’s unclear what exactly set Gralin off, those close to the situation point to long-standing “friendly hostilities” between Gralin and FootyGuy13.
According to sideline whispers, the Vic Country onballer may have made a crack about “inactivity audits” before play about Gralin being late:
“Hope you put as much energy into the admin spreadsheet as you do flipping people off The Majestic said in an interview
Whatever was said, Gralin’s response was unmistakable: a firm, emphatic one-finger salute in full view of the broadcast, commentators, and most critically — BigFooty.
The BigFooty Meltdown
Reaction on BigFooty was predictably chaotic.
“The admin has lost the plot. I love it.”
“Should be an automatic 5-week suspension and 3 extra audits.”
“He’s gone rogue. Put the whole admin team in a cage match to sort it.”
A flood of memes followed. One standout featured a photoshopped tribunal room where Gralin was both the defendant and the judge — wearing a fake moustache as he handed himself a warning.
Official League Response
Just hours after the chaos unfolded, a fellow anonymous admin issued a formal statement on Discord:
“The SFA takes all incidents of unsportsmanlike behaviour seriously — regardless of the role or title of the individual involved. The incident involving Admin Gralin during Round 5 is now under active investigation as potential ‘Unbecoming Behaviour’.”
“As always, the league will evaluate the context, intent, and impact of the action. A decision will be made before Round 6 team sheets are finalised.”
In short: even if you’re the admin, you’re not untouchable.
Gralin’s Response: “I Regret Nothing.”
“If we’re being real — FootyGuy13 copped a gesture, not a right hook. He’ll survive. The league? Not so sure.”
“Do I regret it? No. Would I do it again? Probably. But I’d film it properly this time.”
Serious or Silly?
The incident has split the league’s loyal community.
“Honestly? That one gesture did more for engagement than half the media threads this season. Gralin’s a menace, but he’s our menace.”
What’s Next?
The tribunal panel (minus Gralin, obviously) is expected to meet Thursday evening. Outcomes on the table include:
The Bigger Picture
Regardless of the outcome, “Finger-Gate” has exposed deeper conversations about the culture of the SFA — how much is too much? Where do humour and leadership meet? Can an admin still be one of the boys on-field?
In many ways, it’s the ultimate Sweet FA dilemma — a league where structure and chaos constantly arm-wrestle for dominance.
FootyGuy13 Responds
As for FootyGuy13? He appears to be taking it all in stride.
“Yeah, I got the bird. Not the worst thing that’s happened to me in Origin footy. At least this one didn’t come with a 5-goal loss.”
He later added in the match thread:
“To be fair, I’ve seen worse gestures at the Vic Country selection table.”
Legacy of the Bird
Regardless of what the tribunal decides, the moment has already entered the annals of Sweet FA folklore. Whether dubbed “Finger-Gate,” “The Adelaide Salute,” or “Middle Digit Madness,” it will live on in thread banners, forum sigs, and Discord emotes for seasons to come.
In one particularly on-brand moment, someone even suggested naming the league’s new media award the “Gralin Index” — given to the admin who causes the most disruption in a season.
“If the SFA doesn’t lean into this with a T-shirt drop, they’ve missed a golden opportunity,” said beez, marketing guru and sarcasm factory.
With the league at a crossroads — balancing professionalism with personality — the Gralin incident might be a reminder of what makes the SFA tick: the drama, the unpredictability, the blurred lines between player and admin, and most of all… the community’s love of a good, chaotic saga.
So, what happens next?
A ban?
A meme war?
An apology in Comic Sans?
Whatever it is, one thing’s for certain:
Only in the SFA can a middle finger point us toward the heart of the league.
Our very own Bailey Smith moment
By Mike Crutch | July 16, 2025
In a moment that has sent shockwaves through the Sweet FA (SFA) community, league administrator Gralin is now under official investigation after allegedly flipping the bird at Vic Country player FootyGuy13 during the Round 5 State of Origin match at Adelaide Oval — a gesture that’s raised serious questions about conduct, consistency, and just how unhinged admin behaviour can get.
The incident, captured live during the South Australia vs Vic Country clash, has already been dubbed “Finger-Gate” by fans, following a flood of reactions, memes, and condemnation — not just because of the gesture itself, but because it came from one of the league’s most high-profile admins.
Caught in the Act: The IncidentBefore the start of the game, FootyGuy13 made a genuine statement about Gralin being late by 1 min to which Gralin then replied with the middle finger salute.
The SFA Twitch chat erupted, and not long after, this moment was recorded in the official match thread on BigFooty:
“Did Gralin just flip the bird at FootyGuy13?! I swear I saw it live…”— 3KZ is Football, Jul 15, 2025
From there, the thread blew up like a qooty ball in a microwave.
Fallout: “An Admin Did What?”While players throwing shade or dropping a stray elbow is almost expected in Origin footy, an administrator stepping onto the field of controversy is a different matter entirely.
Gralin, who has been part of the league’s governing panel since 2025 and is known for his irreverent humour and blunt communication style, now finds himself the subject of a league tribunal — under his own system.
“It’s like a teacher swearing in class, then sending themselves to detention,” said a random SFA poster.
“I love it, but I’m also not sure if the league is on fire or evolving.”
The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. Gralin, a key figure in maintaining league standards and overseeing forum moderation, may now be the first admin in SFA history to be sanctioned by the very tribunal he helps oversee.
What Sparked It?While it’s unclear what exactly set Gralin off, those close to the situation point to long-standing “friendly hostilities” between Gralin and FootyGuy13.
According to sideline whispers, the Vic Country onballer may have made a crack about “inactivity audits” before play about Gralin being late:
“Hope you put as much energy into the admin spreadsheet as you do flipping people off The Majestic said in an interview
Whatever was said, Gralin’s response was unmistakable: a firm, emphatic one-finger salute in full view of the broadcast, commentators, and most critically — BigFooty.
The BigFooty MeltdownReaction on BigFooty was predictably chaotic.
“The admin has lost the plot. I love it.”
“Should be an automatic 5-week suspension and 3 extra audits.”
“He’s gone rogue. Put the whole admin team in a cage match to sort it.”
A flood of memes followed. One standout featured a photoshopped tribunal room where Gralin was both the defendant and the judge — wearing a fake moustache as he handed himself a warning.
Official League ResponseJust hours after the chaos unfolded, a fellow anonymous admin issued a formal statement on Discord:
“The SFA takes all incidents of unsportsmanlike behaviour seriously — regardless of the role or title of the individual involved. The incident involving Admin Gralin during Round 5 is now under active investigation as potential ‘Unbecoming Behaviour’.”
“As always, the league will evaluate the context, intent, and impact of the action. A decision will be made before Round 6 team sheets are finalised.”
In short: even if you’re the admin, you’re not untouchable.
Gralin’s Response: “I Regret Nothing.”“If we’re being real — FootyGuy13 copped a gesture, not a right hook. He’ll survive. The league? Not so sure.”
“Do I regret it? No. Would I do it again? Probably. But I’d film it properly this time.”
Serious or Silly?The incident has split the league’s loyal community.
- Some say it undermines the professionalism and credibility of league leadership.
- Others see it as a classic moment of SFA madness — chaotic, authentic, and very on brand.
“Honestly? That one gesture did more for engagement than half the media threads this season. Gralin’s a menace, but he’s our menace.”
What’s Next?The tribunal panel (minus Gralin, obviously) is expected to meet Thursday evening. Outcomes on the table include:
- Official Censure (a formal public warning)
- Temporary admin suspension (rare, but not unprecedented)
- A requirement to issue a meme-based apology
- Mandatory moderation of all Vic Country threads for a week
- Playing for the Carlton Football Club next week
The Bigger PictureRegardless of the outcome, “Finger-Gate” has exposed deeper conversations about the culture of the SFA — how much is too much? Where do humour and leadership meet? Can an admin still be one of the boys on-field?
In many ways, it’s the ultimate Sweet FA dilemma — a league where structure and chaos constantly arm-wrestle for dominance.
FootyGuy13 RespondsAs for FootyGuy13? He appears to be taking it all in stride.
“Yeah, I got the bird. Not the worst thing that’s happened to me in Origin footy. At least this one didn’t come with a 5-goal loss.”
He later added in the match thread:
“To be fair, I’ve seen worse gestures at the Vic Country selection table.”
Legacy of the BirdRegardless of what the tribunal decides, the moment has already entered the annals of Sweet FA folklore. Whether dubbed “Finger-Gate,” “The Adelaide Salute,” or “Middle Digit Madness,” it will live on in thread banners, forum sigs, and Discord emotes for seasons to come.
In one particularly on-brand moment, someone even suggested naming the league’s new media award the “Gralin Index” — given to the admin who causes the most disruption in a season.
“If the SFA doesn’t lean into this with a T-shirt drop, they’ve missed a golden opportunity,” said beez, marketing guru and sarcasm factory.
With the league at a crossroads — balancing professionalism with personality — the Gralin incident might be a reminder of what makes the SFA tick: the drama, the unpredictability, the blurred lines between player and admin, and most of all… the community’s love of a good, chaotic saga.
So, what happens next?
A ban?
A meme war?
An apology in Comic Sans?
Whatever it is, one thing’s for certain:
Only in the SFA can a middle finger point us toward the heart of the league.
Our very own Bailey Smith moment
