Speccy Comments

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:38:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

If you want to monitor the situation, you can always use the "The Final Say" panel on the right to keep abreast of developments.

For subscriptions, you can use the Speccy Updates feed, which holds these too. Maybe I could make this a bit more prominent than way down the bottom with the other badges.

As for how to deal with updates, it's always a bit of a line-ball call. Rather than go for frequency, I try to keep posts substantial and add to them as the story develops. Most of my traffic is from people googling individual players or incidents, so I try to theme things that way. So, Fevola's on-again/off-again drinking exploits tend to go on that page rather than starting a new one each time.

Doing it this way also means that a page that comes up on a search for eg "Carey and Neilson" or "Channel 7 medical records" or "Newman sacked" will contain all the information the searcher is looking for, as it came to light. So it acts as a sort of mini-archive of record.

No doubt there are lots of ways to skin a cat though. Between the links, tags, category menu, update box, comment box, various feeds, email subscription and, of course, search people should be able to get what they're after.

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 2:38 AM, September 26, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Dikkii has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

Well nothing yet that I know, but these warrant their own posts, rather than you appending them to existing ones.

You know that some of us rely on gossip sheets like yours for our tittilation. ;-P

Posted by Dikkii to The AFL Player Spectator at 1:24 AM, September 26, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:44:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

Why, what else has happened?

I covered Fev's hilarious novelty dildo lark. What a whacky funster.

Anything else I should know about? (I'm monitoring developments on the Nathan Thompson drug-test dodge story.)

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 12:44 AM, September 26, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Dikkii has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

Hey Greg. How come you haven't done a round up on the various mad Monday's yet? Are you waiting til after the grand final?

Posted by Dikkii to The AFL Player Spectator at 12:30 AM, September 26, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:36:00 +0000

morisetn has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

The Grand Final is just around the corner; are all the athletes on their best behaviour or should people lock up their sons and daughters?

Posted by morisetn to The AFL Player Spectator at 2:36 AM, September 06, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:32:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

I think the problem is that this is the standard judicial treatment and that it probably does work on your average Shazza or Bazza.

The $500 fine, legal fees, taking time off work and the resulting public shaming would carry some weight and result in behaviour modification.

Not to footballers, though: All the time in the world, hundreds of grand of income, public adulation, no sense of shame. You can see why Mark Williams just didn't even realise he'd had his licence suspended. Water off a duck's back.

At least this particular magistrate didn't buy the bullshit and went with a (feeble, ineffective) sanction. Although, one can't help wondering why she felt the need to explicitly find out his profession. If it were to scale up the fine to, say, a month's wages (as $500 would be for your Shazza or Bazza), then fair enough. Or to assess his likelihood of re-offending and thereby not suspend his jail sentence. But since she didn't do either of these we are left wondering.

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 2:32 PM, August 20, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:45:00 +0000

Dikkii has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

That's about the best summation of footballers' expectations when entering the legal system that I've ever seen. 5 stars.

How come there isn't an ombudsman where you can make complaints about magistrates' handling of cases and outright favouritism? Your average Shazza and Bazza would never get off this lightly.

Posted by Dikkii to The AFL Player Spectator at 1:45 PM, August 20, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:59:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

Of course - if you read the article you'll find I did not suggest otherwise.

It's about what he expected to happen at court that today that belies his attitude problem.

That is, he expected to drive home because he expected the court would buy his bullshit and he would go unpunished.

Gee, how could he have entertained such an outlandish notion?

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 10:59 AM, August 20, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Andrew Walker Has No Shame.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:48:00 +0000

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Andrew Walker Has No Shame":

The original suspension in February lasted 28 days - so had ended about 4 months prior to him driving to court yesterday. Get your facts straight - he was legally entitled to drive to court.

Posted by Anonymous to The AFL Player Spectator at 10:48 AM, August 20, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Interview: Kade Carey.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:05:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "Interview: Kade Carey":

Yes, very average indeed.

And it must be pointed out, some are more average than others.

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 7:05 PM, August 18, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Interview: Kade Carey.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:42:00 +0000

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Interview: Kade Carey":

i'd love to know the numbers regarding bouncers viscously bashing people, also those ending up with the same level of media coverage. Similar incidents occur in the hundreds on any given saturday in the streets of melbourne, these are average young men!

Posted by Anonymous to The AFL Player Spectator at 6:42 PM, August 18, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Footballers Make Bad Company.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:50:00 +0000

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Footballers Make Bad Company":

I think Anonymous above is missing the point. AFL players receive great adulation and are unavoidably role models for the youth of Australia. In exchange, they are paid large wages which derive directly from the large size of their audience. Therefore, not only should their behavior be better than the general population, it should be beyond reproach. There is no room for people like this in sport.

Would you like your teachers behaving like this? If not, then you should wonder why you're OK with sportsmen behaving this way. An average kid will try to emulate the sportsman well before they try to emulate the teacher.

Complete idiot.

Posted by Anonymous to The AFL Player Spectator at 10:50 PM, August 16, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 02:37:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing":

I think people will always come down hardest on those who jeopardise the safety and well-being of others.

That's why drink-driving is so unacceptable - far worse than lying to the boss about your weekend.

For what it's worth, we actually do know about Ben Cousins' drug tests. He's never returned a positive one under the AFL's piss-weak drug testing regime.

Remember, this is a man who was reportedly spending $3000 each week on his habit.

So with a couple of freebies up his sleeve and a working knowledge of how to beat the system (not that the system is trying very hard!), I reckon if he were 26 he'd be snapped up in heart beat.

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 12:37 PM, August 13, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 02:20:00 +0000

Phillip Molly Malone has left a new comment on your post "Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing":

I think Greg hits on one of the major reasons why Cousins is less in demand then Didak.

Others I would add are (and I am not saying they make the system look good or bad, but they go into clubs decisions):
1) Cousins has played about 8 games in 2 years. No one is sure he can still get the job done on the field.
2) With the drug policy they won't know the strike numbers that Ben is on and if he "stuffs up" again, will he be suspended.

I think we would be putting our heads in the sand if we didn't think that a majority of the community would have a more negative image of people taking Drugs then those caught speeding or drink driving!

Personally myself (even though I am guilt of doing it in my past (and yes I am disgusted in my youngerself)) think that drink driving (or drugged driving for that matter) and speeding (especially the big numbers over the limit) is worst!
Again, not defending AFL Clubs on this one, just telling you how I think it is!

JMTC
Molly

Posted by Phillip Molly Malone to The AFL Player Spectator at 12:20 PM, August 13, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:14:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing":

Sure, Geoff, it's fine to insulate yourself from their bad behaviour. But keep in mind it's your support for the game (through ticket sales, pie purchases, Foxtel subscriptions and ad-watching) that funds all these off-field dramas.

And, no, Ben Cousins is unwelcome simply because of his age. Clubs would be falling over themselves if he were even three years younger. They're certainly not going to let something as commonplace as a bit of crystal meth use come into contract considerations.

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 2:14 PM, August 11, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:31:00 +0000

geoff has left a new comment on your post "Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing":

Management of an AFL clubs public image is a process that always reminds me of the BBC series Yes Minister. I think Sam Newman made a remark that inimated the actions of Didak and Shaw took the heat off him in the previous week. I keep my footy simple and watchthe games and pretty much try to overlook the off field media issues. Oddly though when Didak was mentioned to be a trade available after this plenty of other clubs were public in expressing interest, yet no club was willing to admit interest in Ben Cousins when he becomes available in 2009. I gues getting drunk telling lies and driving cars is more acceptable than using speed and telling lies.

Posted by geoff to The AFL Player Spectator at 1:31 PM, August 11, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:08:00 +0000

Phillup Molly Malone has left a new comment on your post "Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing":

As I said, I read the post quickly and probably in scan mode, so probably got your views on Tony wrong.

I would like to think that my views on players hasn't changed much, but my views on your writings or your writings have a little (probably mine). I still say I would love you to right one piece looking at the good things players do, but thats your right not too.

You have had a quiet year and I hope this doesn't hurt your chances of getting that Anti-AFL award. I wonder who could have nominated you?

Posted by Phillup Molly Malone to The AFL Player Spectator at 1:08 PM, August 06, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:10:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing":

Thankfully, things have certainly been quiet lately - but that's a topic for another post.

Not sure how you picked up an anti-Tony Shaw sentiment. I've got a lot of time for him, and I've quoted him favourably in the past. Some may say he's bitter from being rebuffed; I reckon he's got perspective and inside knowledge.

Yes, I also thought that Eddie McGuire's reference to "scaley mates" had a ring of deflection to it. Turns out it was probably a pretty good character assessment, though one McGuire wouldn't make publicly once he realised said mate was on his payroll. Is this the kind of damaging spin to which Tony Shaw was referring?

It's of course correct that many people have drunken bingles and don't see it plastered all over the front page of the newspapers for a few days. That's a privilege we reserve for those in esteemed positions of public trust, like politicians and footballers. But, as you say, these people choose this path and it's always possible to take a different one if they can't handle it.

Re: trust. Sure, it's always preferable to take what people say at face value. However, you have to be clear-eyed about it. McGuire has some experience in business and a lot of experience dealing with people. He's also been around footy along time. He must be well-aware of the code of "lying for your mates" to which Uncle Tony referred. Hopefully he'll take this experience on board the next time he has to take the word of a footballer.

Well, Molly, looking back over our comments it seems are opinions on AFL misbhehaviour have converged somewhat over the years. Are we just getting older? Something to ponder!

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 12:10 PM, August 06, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Phillip Molly Malone has left a new comment on your post "Didak Misbehaviour a Shaw Thing":

There seems balance in the force to have you back commenting (as strange as that is).

Its early and I only read this piece once, so sorry if I missed the feeling of it, but I am not sure you have done Tony Shaw just. He has called for his old club to be tougher for a long time on these sort of issues, dating way back to the first incidents.

On Collingwood. As silly as it might sound, I thought they came over very strong on Monday with the press conference that Eddie gave which I personally took as very honest (from Eddie) but I thought the club came over as a bit weak yesterday by not sacking or at least saying they were sacking Didak (if there is some law/contractual thing that means they can't sack him) after saying last year that he was on his last chance and then Eddie's comments on Monday about Heath Shaw's "slimey mate" which to me suggested (again as silly as it sounds) that he blamed the passenger equally or maybe even more then the driver in this situation.

Before he was shown to have lied, I had a sliver of sympthy for Heath, not because he didn't deserve to be ridiculed for such a stupid thing as driving home drunk, but because others do it, have the same result and only have to deal with the law, but thats the path he choose.

Also, some said the club was weak last year with Didak and weak when they didn't suspend Shaw on Monday but their punishments must have some bite for Didak to want to put his "mate" in this situation and Shaw to go a long with it. I don't think as good a player as Didak is that he will ever play for the Pies again but I would feel better about this if we knew that today (even if it hurts what the club might get for him) instead of the speculation that will come till trade time.

On the trusting the players, which I forget if you mentioned, what is the club to do. Its like if you hear something about your partners behaviour. If you ask them over and over again and they say its not true, you have to trust them! I also think a boss has to stand up for his workers and thats why I definetly feel sorry for Eddie in this issue!

Molly
PS. The "Macarthur Advertiser"? Where did you pull that one from? ;-) What next, the Yarraman Primary School Grade 2 Term 3 week 1 project? ;-)

Posted by Phillip Molly Malone to The AFL Player Spectator at 8:15 AM, August 06, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Scott Thompson Dodges Jail.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:25:00 +0000

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Scott Thompson Dodges Jail":

I was thinking that the problem is that any system is rife for corruption. The judge probably goes all lenient to avoid his kid getting kicked out of a private school. The team goes light on the player so that they dont' lose their job for losing next season.

It doesn't matter who the judge is, who sits on the jury, the issue is human weakness and a complete sense of integrity and accountability in our society.

Posted by Anonymous to The AFL Player Spectator at 7:25 AM, July 26, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on The AFL Meat Market.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:52:00 +0000

Greg has left a new comment on your post "The AFL Meat Market":

Presumably that surreal passage was criticism. In which case, its effect was somewhat blunted by incoherence.

I gather the substantive question was why don't I blog on "something truly frightening". The glib answer is that every blogger needs a niche. The more considered response is that AFL footballer misbehaviour is of some importance to the community yet with a glaring gap. I saw the need for a long-term, focused ("obsessive") archive with uncompromising, even jaundiced, comment.

Posted by Greg to The AFL Player Spectator at 11:52 PM, July 15, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on The AFL Meat Market.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:17:00 +0000

Lazy D, Albion, Vic. has left a new comment on your post "The AFL Meat Market":

You make me laugh. Which is important, because you are very sad.
Are there too many people making the effort to set up and constantly maintain websites on crucial, relevant issues for your liking? Why not investigate something truly frightening, if you're such a crusader?
Airing creepy obsessions to another person should be therapeutic, not enabling.
I, also, came here for roundabout stats on salaries and incentives. And I find you.
And I laugh.
Good luck with your mind.

Posted by Lazy D, Albion, Vic. to The AFL Player Spectator at 8:17 PM, July 15, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Scott Thompson Dodges Jail.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:48:00 +0000

Dikkii has left a new comment on your post "Scott Thompson Dodges Jail":

The law is an ass. Replace judges with a panel scientists, juries with judges, and have them answer to an elected board of trustees.

Extend the doctrine of precedent to sentencing as well as findings.

Ban prosecutors and defence counsel from courtrooms and replace them with advocates working on behalf of the court.

I could go on. And on. And on...

Stuff like this gives me the shits.

Posted by Dikkii to The AFL Player Spectator at 1:48 AM, July 10, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Sam Newman versus The Sisterhood.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:51:00 +0000

Jim Stewart has left a new comment on your post "Sam Newman versus The Sisterhood":

I just interviewed Felicity Glennie Holmes on my show http://stewartmedia.biz/myblog/National-Australia-Bank-Interview
I tried to educate but they are sticking to their guns.

Posted by Jim Stewart to The AFL Player Spectator at 12:51 PM, June 24, 2008

[The AFL Player Spectator] New comment on Footy Finances Exposed.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:16:00 +0000

fossman has left a new comment on your post "Footy Finances Exposed":

Firstly, out of competitilon testing does not mean players are tested in the off season, "whilst on holidays". Players are not tested in the Off season, they can be tested however during the week during the season proper.

In many industries in this country workers are regularly drug tested and are sacked if they return a positive result. No three strikes for Jo Average.

AFL players make huge money because they are marketable commodities, without sponsors they would earn an average wage. Australian advertisers are extremely sensitive about what and who they link their products with. If players don't don't want the scrutiny then don't become an AFL player.

The government has a right to request to more accountability on the matter from the AFL. Despite the perception that the AFL is big business the clubs rely on tax payer funding. The wages bill for players has blown out to such an extent that the clubs can not afford to upgrade their own facilities. The Bulldogs for example have used our hard earned tax dollars to build their new facilities at the Western Oval. Richmond is doing the same at Punt Road, St Kilda the same in Frankston. The Australian public have a right to expect accountability on the drugs issue due to the amount of funding provided.
The idea of the AFL as big business is hilarious. Demetriou worked for the AFLPA before getting the gig with the AFL. He has overseen an increase in player wages that would not be accepted in any other industry. Can you imagine BHP appointing a delegate from the CFMEU as their CEO and then allowing him to increase workers wages by 100% over 8 years? In fact wages have increased so far that clubs are struggling to make ends meet, what other corporation would treat their franchises in this way? In what other big business does the corporation fund the union? The AFL bears no resemblance to a modern corporation. It is a sporting body run by ex players for the benefit of players.
The fact that some people feel the need to defend the players, clubs and administration is hilarious.

Posted by fossman to The AFL Player Spectator at 10:16 AM, June 24, 2008