Should it be the AFL's problem?

[NikkiNoo]

Interesting opinion piece from Nathan Bassett in today's paper here.

I think he raises an important, although simplistic, point in that it will make it easier for the clubs as it will always be the 'AFL's problem' and I think he is right that the responsibility that a player has towards their teammates and club will dissipate.

thoughts?

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Didn't really agree with the article. Essentially what they will be setting up is a quasi-AFL Tribunal for off-field incidents.

I'll use Jonathon Brown as an example. He went through a period of being reported regularly and it was affecting his game as far as match fitness goes and certainly Brisbane's win/loss ratio. The AFL did all the reporting. Brisbane had nothing to do with setting the penalties - the tribunal did that. But of course Brisbane didn't leave it there and have taken steps to ensure that Brown does not continue to be an offender, modifys his behaviour, understands his responsibility as a leader etc.

Will be the same with the AFL taking over control of setting penalties for off field incidents. The Clubs will still take whatever measures they feel are necessary to get the best out of their player but the fines/suspensions are just taken out of their hands.

 

[NikkiNoo]

Didn't really agree with the article. Essentially what they will be setting up is a quasi-AFL Tribunal for off-field incidents.

I'll use Jonathon Brown as an example. He went through a period of being reported regularly and it was affecting his game as far as match fitness goes and certainly Brisbane's win/loss ratio. The AFL did all the reporting. Brisbane had nothing to do with setting the penalties - the tribunal did that. But of course Brisbane didn't leave it there and have taken steps to ensure that Brown does not continue to be an offender, modifys his behaviour, understands his responsibility as a leader etc.

Will be the same with the AFL taking over control of setting penalties for off field incidents. The Clubs will still take whatever measures they feel are necessary to get the best out of their player but the fines/suspensions are just taken out of their hands.

I think that is what Bassett is getting at - the Clubs will not be able to set any penalties at all. The afc has the same process in place for anyone that is reported or breach the team rules as what you quoted above. If the AFL take over those penalities the clubs won't have the ability to set their own.

 

[- PC -]

Its a dangerous path to take when ''the AFL have to deal with it'' ..what he then forgets is that the clubs usually dont agree with the verdict

ie Nathan has a brain fade at the Crows Tavern and whacks a bloke...usually the club will talk to Nathan and impose some sort of sanction and at the same time look after the bloke who got whacked...if the AFL stepped in a game suspension may be imposed and the unfortunate bloke who got whacked is left out in the cold.

I agree when he says it should be dealt with at the source , but at what price? If the Eagles suspended Ben Cousins at the same time it sent Gardiner back to the WAFL...would this year be different? Would they have won the flag? Worsfold says '' we tried to sort this out in July'' ...but how hard did they try?

Its a delicate balance and one that the AFL do have to tread carefully, but at the same time I think they should havethat big stick to wave around when a club is deemed to be ''out of control'

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Perhaps if Vlad had the same credentials as the chairman of the NFL as quoted in Roach's (no not Rucc's) article in yesterday's rag.

He has the power and has done so to suspend and fine out of control in the real world.

 

[rayven]

Why should we lose out in the culture and prinicples we try to instill in our club because of anothers complete failure.


Reminds me of School when everyone gets detention for 1 persons actions.


People forget the AFL are just as much to blame.. they backed West Coasts policy after Cousins got found on the street off his head.