What's wrong with the AFL ?

["The Roar Is Back"]

Recently we have seen champions of the game , Hird and Cousins, who were alleged to have wrongly used drugs , banned from the game put under immense scrutiny and subsequently there lives have spiraled out of control.
On the flip side we have seen players caught red handed , banned and rightfully welcomed back with open arms.
There are many conspiracy theories as to the steps that occured involving the AFL during both the Hird and Cousin cases , with many close to those people very critical of the AFL.
Let's not forget that in both cases it has come to light that plenty others at the respective clubs were using.
For every Hird , Cousin and even Goodes story there are similar claims of miss treatment by relatively unknowns who have a involvement at grass roots level.
It would appear the brand is starting to get on the nose , primarily due to it's ongoing miss handling of big football personal issues and alleged creating of a scapegoats .
Thoughts.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

People do drugs in all walks of life

 

[Rotayjay]

The AFL has always had different rules for different players/clubs - the MRP says hi. The brand of the AFL gets a little bit more 'on the nose' every year:

- MRP and umpiring are in shambles
- Laws of the game change every year, with many changes considered totally unnecessary and reactionary
- The rules of the administration of the game re salary cap, drugs, integrity etc are made up as they go along and changed to suit whatever the AFL feels like doing. Penalties determined by how much the suits at AFL House personally like a club.
- The creation of GWS and Gold Coast has been criticised for diluting the talent pool and the concessions handed to those sides
- Absolutely piss weak handling of the Essendon doping saga
- Perception that the game is becoming too commercialised, with ticket/membership prices rising much faster than fans' wages, that 'year of the fan' which was a crock of shit, the jumpy deliberately-distracting LED signs, and now more games being siphoned off to Foxtel.

Five years ago, I didn't hate the AFL administration. Now I do.

 

[Topkent]

There is no media release every month about someone like Eddie Betts or Jeff Garlett who's afl clubs and by extension the AFL have helped save
Hell look at Jake King, clearly his involvement with Richmond has helped him become a very decent human being


It's stupid to blame the AFL for James Hird, just because something goes wrong doesn't mean you immediately have to blame something
That's the problem with our society now, it's always about finding someone else to blame

 

[Sttew]

Recently we have seen champions of the game , Hird and Cousins, who were alleged to have wrongly used drugs , banned from the game put under immense scrutiny and subsequently there lives have spiraled out of control.
On the flip side we have seen players caught red handed , banned and rightfully welcomed back with open arms.
There are many conspiracy theories as to the steps that occured involving the AFL during both the Hird and Cousin cases , with many close to those people very critical of the AFL.
Let's not forget that in both cases it has come to light that plenty others at the respective clubs were using.
For every Hird , Cousin and even Goodes story there are similar claims of miss treatment by relatively unknowns who have a involvement at grass roots level.
It would appear the brand is starting to get on the nose , primarily due to it's ongoing miss handling of big football personal issues and alleged creating of a scapegoats .
Thoughts.

My thoughts? This is sensationalist garbage!

 

[TheSierBear]

My thoughts are love him or loathe him, Goodes being a sanctimonious, offense seeking brat doesn't put him in the same basket as Hird and Cousins, not even close.

Cousins was a superstar of the game, and is now cleaning car windows for his next hit, he had a million chances that would not have been afforded to people of his ilk, ie, drug addcts. - and that is not a judgement of drug addicts, it's just the reality of each drug addicts predicament.

James Hird oversaw a systemic doping program that was/is the biggest scandal in Australian sport since, ever, since time begun. Hird and Cousins cases are exceptional, greatly compounded by the fact they also happen to be about the best player that's ever played for their respective clubs.

As for drugs, they are a problem in society, footy players, obviously are far from exempt.

 

[Bokonon_]

I dont get the premise of the OP. The way I look at it the players are celebrities and there are less scandals in AFL than you would expect for celebrities.
I put this down to the fact they lead very disciplined lives and have limited scope for self infulgence.
The AFL tries to educate at the induction of draftees. and acts when it must.
Not sure what else is relevant

 

[greatwhiteshark]

For all the good things the AFL has done the biggest problem is that they have taken the game away from the people.
The fans used to run the game and now we are just financial sponsors of the game. The fans thoughts are not relevant to the AFL. They do surveys to their fans but do not include the questions the fans want to answer, just questions that will give them the answer they want to hear.
The fans could not be further away from the game or its clubs that they are now.
I am a 27 year member of the Eagles and I would have to make an appointment to walk into my clubs facilities.
The AFL know they can do as they please because we the sheep will just keep turning up and watching, they don't care how many people ring up talk back radio, or post on forums such as these with their issues in the game because next week they know you will be back.
There has not been another sport in its history that has changed the laws of the game as the modern AFL has.
The media cannot tell it as it is as they will not be allowed to broadcast the game so they only tell us the AFL view and shoot anyone down who does Not comply.
Big business is what is wrong with the AFL, they have become like a political party. Rules for some, different rules for others. No two penalties are the same for the same offence pending who you play for and what time of year it is. Money is everything to the AFL. The fans are not important even if they say that you are.

 

[andrewb]

The problem with the AFL is patently obvious. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and there are no checks and balances at AFL house.

The commissioners make decisions on stadiums and catering contracts that directly benefit themselves.

They have media accreditation which means that the media is compromised in the stories that it can tell

The CEO is paid more than the best players in the competition, $3m to manage a pissant business that wouldn't even make the ASX100.

Gil managed the ASADA shit abhorently and was rewarded with a promotion!!

Mate's club run by vested interests.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

I dont get the premise of the OP. The way I look at it the players are celebrities and there are less scandals in AFL than you would expect for celebrities.
I put this down to the fact they lead very disciplined lives and have limited scope for self infulgence.
The AFL tries to educate at the induction of draftees. and acts when it must.
Not sure what else is relevant

I would rather they allow them to be human than to try and make them robots, yes they must have rules but the AFL must understand that some will break those rules as young men just as they would in real life, discarding them to protect a brand is stupid.
Whether you are a student, a footballer or a tradesman you should be allowed to live as normal a life as possible, you will make the odd mistake along the way just as we all did. The AFL believe this is not acceptable and that in my eyes is an organisation that is out of touch with reality.

 

[Bokonon_]

[QUOTE="andrewb, post: 48354126, member:

The CEO is paid more than the best players in the competition, $3m to manage a pissant business that wouldn't even make the ASX100.[/QUOTE]
Your post is fair enough opinion but this statement isn't right. It wouldn't becuase it's not a company but it would on turnover. Never happen I hope because it's fundamentally not a for profit business.

 

[Bokonon_]

I would rather they allow them to be human than to try and make them robots, yes they must have rules but the AFL must understand that some will break those rules as young men just as they would in real life, discarding them to protect a brand is stupid.
Whether you are a student, a footballer or a tradesman you should be allowed to live as normal a life as possible, you will make the odd mistake along the way just as we all did. The AFL believe this is not acceptable and that in my eyes is an organisation that is out of touch with reality.

I dont think our posts are at odds. I'm not in favour of them becoming robots either. The game at AFL level is long past the point where players train a couple of times a week and turn up on Saturday Arvo's for a game.
I know our guys are given one day a week to pursue other interests and assume other clubs do to, in some attempt to give them balanced lives.
Our guys are probably less affected by cekebrity than most, becuase Sydney isn't an AFL town in the way other states are. It is what it is though.

 

[gavaniacono]

Barry Hall GF 2005 was when I realised the farce. And the rest of the comp acting dumb was even worse. Accomplices.
AFL handling of the claytons tanking was another reminder.
AFL more recently interfering with investigations, prematurely slapping governance penalties on a club, cements their anti-legacy.
Gimme some truth, someone sang.
Gimme some transparency.

 

[_Mike_]

Hundreds of thousands of dollars being thrown at young adults who have limited life experience and are yet to develop a level of maturity. Yet the public puts such great expectations on them and scrutinise them at every opportunity.

Since the evolution of the game from a suburban fanfare to a national competition with endorsements and sponsorships at risk the young kids have to grow up fast. We've always had issues with drug use in the 18-25 age group and whether you chose to ignore it or not today's age has big brother looking over its shoulder at every step.

Sometimes we need to let kids be kids however the AFL has the responsibility on it's head to look after their welfare

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

There is no media release every month about someone like Eddie Betts or Jeff Garlett who's afl clubs and by extension the AFL have helped save
Hell look at Jake King, clearly his involvement with Richmond has helped him become a very decent human being


It's stupid to blame the AFL for James Hird, just because something goes wrong doesn't mean you immediately have to blame something
That's the problem with our society now, it's always about finding someone else to blame

Never questioned the commitment of clubs in looking after their own players and staff and at times at the expense of public perception.
Which it would appear is somewhat the bi-polar opposite to the way AFL head office run.

 

[Andrew Mc]

Nothing is wrong with the AFL, they are running a business. I do have issues with the AFLPA, who seem just to whinge about more money, and do nothing for the players/ex-players that actually seem to be having issues.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

My thoughts? This is sensationalist garbage!

libba ?

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Nothing is wrong with the AFL, they are running a business. I do have issues with the AFLPA, who seem just to whinge about more money, and do nothing for the players/ex-players that actually seem to be having issues.

The AFLPA have always appeared very supportive and transparent when player welfare issue have arisen , IMO.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The AFL have absolute power and it doesn't matter what walk of life that exists in, it will lead to corruption.

There is no overseeing body that they're answerable to.

When trouble arises they have no rules to follow: they just put in place a PR strategy - which is usually to scapegoat a single person and throw him to the wolves - and run with it.

They do it through the media to ensure its success.

Nobody who does wrong ever gets their day in an open, impartial court or tribunal. Nobody.

The first issue is systematic: this stupid notion they continue with that the "AFL Commisson", the supposed rulers of the sport, are somehow independent of the AFL. It's laughable. Fix that and things may start to change.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

I would rather they allow them to be human than to try and make them robots, yes they must have rules but the AFL must understand that some will break those rules as young men just as they would in real life, discarding them to protect a brand is stupid.
Whether you are a student, a footballer or a tradesman you should be allowed to live as normal a life as possible, you will make the odd mistake along the way just as we all did. The AFL believe this is not acceptable and that in my eyes is an organisation that is out of touch with reality.

Further to this , it is interesting that despite similar age groups and no doubt similar issues the NRL appear transparent , sanction players where necessary and then continue to deal with all future dealings in a non vindictive manner.

 

[raymond35]

Greatwhitesharks post is superb. I have never felt further away from the game than today, as I shuffle into one of the stadiums in Melbourne or qld, get searched on the way in, sent off to the worst seats in the house and glared at by security guards as people sit in rows in virtual silence.

 

[Dr Whoooooooo]

It would appear the brand is starting to get on the nose , primarily due to it's ongoing miss handling of big football personal issues and alleged creating of a scapegoats
Thoughts.

Absolute garbage ...

The AFL has always had different rules for different players/clubs - the MRP says hi.

More garbage

Absolute power corrupts absolutely and there are no checks and balances at AFL house

hahaha .... more garbage

The AFL have absolute power and it doesn't matter what walk of life that exists in, it will lead to corruption.

There is no overseeing body that they're answerable to.

When trouble arises they have no rules to follow: they just put in place a PR strategy - which is usually to scapegoat a single person and throw him to the wolves - and run with it.

They do it through the media to ensure its success.

Nobody who does wrong ever gets their day in an open, impartial court or tribunal. Nobody.

The first issue is systematic: this stupid notion they continue with that the "AFL Commisson", the supposed rulers of the sport, are somehow independent of the AFL. It's laughable. Fix that and things may start to change.

Coming from an Essendon supporter the irony is this post is laughable. You are either blind or ignorant ....

On the whole I do not agree with OP ... at present we dont have serious problems at AFL HQ and Commission level ... real problems are elsewhere inside the structure ... it will take time to weed them out.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Absolute garbage ...



More garbage



hahaha .... more garbage



Coming from an Essendon supporter the irony is this post is laughable. You are either blind or ignorant ....

On the whole I do not agree at present we have many problems at AFL HQ and Commission level ... real problems are elsewhere inside the structure ... it will take time to weed them out.

Kudos to you for sticking up for your de facto club committee.

 

[_Mike_]

Nothing is wrong with the AFL, they are running a business.

Pretty ironic when the AFL is registered as a not for profit organisation.

 

[Bokonon_]

Further to this , it is interesting that despite similar age groups and no doubt similar issues the NRL appear transparent , sanction players where necessary and then continue to deal with all future dealings in a non vindictive manner.

I try to ignore the Neanderthal game as much as possible, living in Sydney it's hard. But no they dont deal with them better. Much more scandal, lurid details of playets pissing in their mouths, trying to have sex with dogs and assaulting a junior ref because of a perception a relative was unfairly penalised. These are a select few of the more recent player career ending scandals.