Update Extractor (Partial)

Botched Rape Investigation - AFL Player Walks

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 04:23:00 -0700

It seems almost unbelievable. Personally, I can't imagine anything worse than a night out at Melbourne's dodgy Crown Casino. Yet alone "partying" with the Carlton Football Club and sleeping with has-been Brad Pearce. But to wake up to find some disgusting prick raping you ... well it's just horrible beyond compare.

Well, that's what apparently happened to one poor young lady in 1999. Heath "The Culprit" Culpitt decided that, in the world of AFL football, it's one in, all in. One of his mates had picked up, so he reckoned he was in too.

Naturally, she went to the police about this crime. No behind the scenes pay-off from Culpitt's employer or "rape fees" paid from the AFL's coffers (as they propose). But this is where the story takes a breathtaking turn.

The police completely botched the investigation. The Assistant Commissioner (Simon Overland) said "We believe what she's told us but we don't have sufficient evidence to bring a case." Where is the evidence? The detectives assigned to the case ignored her calls for years, neglected to examine the crime scene, didn't interview witnesses for five years, failed to take any DNA samples and - get this - mysteriously "lost" the interview tape.

While Overland describes this as an "almost total systems failure", I would suggest this incompetence is of such a degree that we can't rule out corrupt behaviour. Are these awe-struck detectives so beholden by the bewitching spell of footy fame that they feel AFL players are entitled to a few rapes? Are they Carlton fans, perhaps? Did they ask for autographs? Do they collect stickers and bubble-gum swap cards? Were they just so excited at meeting their (22 year-old) hero that they lost all perspective? This possibility appears to have at least been entertained by the police top brass:

Mr Overland admitted that while most police were not reluctant to investigate famous people, he could not discount the possibility that some officers "wouldn't be intimidated or wouldn't have other reasons for perhaps not pursuing allegations against high-profile people as vigorously as they might". (The Age, 10/02/05)

Now, the boss is making soothing remarks about the detectives' culpability in all this, and asks us to trust the police - who showed no interest in pursuing justice in this poor woman's case - to investigate allegations against their colleagues (The Age, 14/04/05)!

To have been sexually assaulted by an AFL player must be a truly horrible experience. To be then subjected to unsympathetic, unprofessional and incompetent - or possibly even corrupt - investigators is harrowing and can only worsen the impact of the crime.

As bad as that is, we should not lose sight of the central allegation: that Heath Culpitt sexually assaulted a sleeping woman. It's telling that this crime of violence and misogyny (allegedly) happened in a group (tribal) situation just three days after Carlton lost the Grand Final. (This circumstance is an automatic "Red Light" on the AFL Player Threat Index - for this very reason.)

Please, do not pick up any suspected AFL players. Do not flirt with them or let them buy you drinks. Do not hang out with them. Do not even go near them. They are just too dangerous, and too likely to get away Scott free with whatever they want.

*** UPDATE ***The woman at the centre of this harrowing ordeal has identified herself as "Kate" and come forward with her story to the Herald-Sun, in light of the hurtful, painful remarks by chauvinist Jack Elliott:

A WOMAN who claims she was raped by a Carlton footballer has called on John Elliott to help her.

"Kate", who alleges she was raped at a party after Carlton's 1999 Grand Final loss, says the former Blues boss must tell police everything he knows.

...

"Rape is rape and I've been fighting for justice since 1999," Kate said yesterday.

"I hope Victoria Police have taken notice of Mr Elliott's statement and ask some very serious questions.

"If you know something, Mr Elliott, please come forward. If you are talking about me, please help me and do what is right."

But Mr Elliott told the Herald Sun he had no interest in helping her.

"She said what? I have no idea and I'm not interested. The story has got totally out of hand. I'm really not interested at all," he said. (Herald-Sun, 24/7/2009)

She has also written an open letter to Elliott, to which I hope he responds. He needs to man up and account for his behaviour:

Dear Mr Elliott,

I read with much interest the comments you made on Sunday regarding allegations of rape made against players of the Carlton Football Club during the time that you were president.

The Sunday Herald Sun reported that the football club had concerns one woman might be telling the truth and that she had also accepted hush money.

I assume that I am that "one woman" you were referring to, as my case was the only one to have reached the public domain.

First, can I remind you of the fact that no, I never once accepted any so-called "hush money" - and you know that.

You would also know that not once did I ask anyone for any amount of money, nor was I offered any. (Herald-Sun, 24/6/2009)

As you can see from some of the comments, Kate has been attacked by some of the hateful, clueless idiots who post here. She has even been approached by a producer from Nine's 60 Minutes, no doubt eager to sensationalise her story to diffuse their problems with their own star, Matty Johns.

At The Speccy, we're pleased that Kate's found the strength to take this to another level of exposure and wish her the best in fight for justice. It's certainly been far too long coming.

Citations: The Age, 10/02/05; The Age, 14/04/05

Word Count: 568

Tags: footy, rape, scandals

AFL Backs Down on Cousins

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:46:00 -0800

A version of the above graph and analysis was published in Crikey for the edification of a wider audience.
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Carey and Neilson Have No Idea

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:36:00 -0700

In a Miami court, Wayne Carey has admitted to elbowing a policeman in the face and kicking another in the mouth. His punishment? A $US500 fine, 50 hours of community service and some anger management and counselling. Here in Melbourne, the idea of a rich, violent, drunken, drug-addled and misogynistic footballer getting off lightly for his crimes is depressingly familiar. For the Miami police, the reality of justice, AFL player-style, comes as a shock:
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Piss Weak: Footballers and Urine

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:54:00 -0700

The Mad Monday celebrations have been and gone. And, from the look of this image, it seems that Brendan Fevola is still off the wagon:
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While The Cat's Away ...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 23:56:00 -0800

It seems those naughty footbrawlers have been making the most of the off-season. In my two months away we've seen a predictably disappointing stream of drunken violence from those knobs. Here we give a quick reprise of the major stories that broke during my two month absence: Mitchell, Farmer and Dodd, Cousins, Johnson, Krakouer and Carey. Special thanks to Paul for posting an update.

*** Update ***
We've just added Geelong's Steve Johnson's Christmas-time blow-out to the list of Yuletide incidents. When will the drunken carnage stop?

*** Update 2***
Now included is sneaky Heath Black's sneaky piss. Urinating - or any excuse to get his cock out in public?

Mitchell

The Hawks' Sam Mitchell got into a blue at a Hawthorn pub on the 2nd of December. He copped a hit but there was no injury. According to the damage-control from the Hawthorn spin machine "a scuffle ensued and Mitchell and the patron wrestled to the ground before security staff quickly intervened and separated the pair." (The Age, 4/12/2006). Hasn't been any further news on this one, so I guess we'll never really know what transpired. In all fairness, drunken dickheadry isn't restricted to footballers and it's quite possible that one of the many other dickheads in that part of the world was entirely at fault.

Farmer and Dodd

In best silly-season fashion, Freo's Jeff Farmer and Steven Dodd brought disgrace on the Dockers with a late-night "incident" at the notorious Club Bayview in Claremont, WA. Specifics are still fuzzy, but there the word "altercation" was used - usually PR code for drunken and/or drug-fuelled violence. According to The Age, a patron made a complaint about being struck, but later withdrew the allegation and denied knowing who hit him. Cha-ching! Was that the sound of a cash register slamming shut?

Club Bayview has been the venue for incidents involving AFL players in the past, most notably when West Coast's Andrew Embley was charged with assaulting a man in 2002. In the same month, [Ben] Cousins broke his arm following a fight at the club with teammate Daniel Kerr.

It's not the first time Farmer and Dodd have had disciplinary issues. Farmer pleaded guilty in court to assaulting his long-time girlfriend two years ago, while Dodd was suspended last year after breaking club policy barring players from drinking alcohol while recovering from illness or injury. (SMH, 5/12/2006)

What a pair of charmers. What's going on? Eagles and Dockers are one eighth of the competition but about 50% of aggro and bullshit. Is there something in the water in WA? Or is it just the Small Town Hero writ large?

Cousins

Which leads to the most spectacular celebrity bum - Ben Cousins from the WC Eagles. This gormless fool has once again brought disgrace upon, well, himself and everyone close to him. (Who could forget the booze-bus run?) Cousins was found drunk outside of regular footy playground Crown Casino and was subsequently arrested after a "verbal altercation" with the cops. Police sources described him "absolutely legless" and had him locked up for several hours. The Age has the requisite candid photo (care of Channel Nine, part of the Packer Empire that also owns Crown Casino and hence rights to adjacent security footage).

So, poor old Benny boy gets way too drunk, gets aggro and ends up being arrested - again. What's deeply depressing is the total lack of censure and the kid-gloves handling he gets. Here's a breakdown of the response to his latest shaming:

The Police. Used their "discretion" to ensure he didn't cop a drunk and disorderly charge. This means he won't have to face court and will get a maximum $100 fine, rendering our justice system a joke. How thoughtful of the police to not inconvenience their sporting hero by applying the laws of the land.

His club. They refused to sanction him at all, saying that "The club believes that Ben has already received sufficient punishment through the public scrutiny of his arrest." Why? The man clearly has no sense of shame. What punishment has he received? In the absence of a function police force, what else is there?

His sponsors. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that "West Coast's major sponsors Hungry Jacks and SGIO stressed they sponsored the Eagles rather than Cousins individually. Channel Seven will continue to use Cousins as an ambassador and a weekly guest on Perth news bulletins." So, no commercial sanction or reprimand either. Presumably this means that the public doesn't give a rat's arse either. Nice.

Government officials. Surely government officials would speak out on the evils of getting yourself blotto, getting aggro with the cops and landing yourself in jail? Well, normally, yes. But not if you're a footy superstar:

WA's Sport and Recreation Department director Ron Alexander, a former Eagles coach, called for Cousins to be cut some slack.

Alexander didn't condone Cousins' behaviour but said there was an unfair fascination with his off-field activities

"It's become a sport to see what Ben's done next," Alexander said. "This appears to be over-magnified, a lot more so than it needs be." (SMH, 9/12/2006)

Media opinion-makers. There's a sickening apologia and hagiographic novel being pushed by the Fairfax press. Ooh diddums, "unfairly targeted by police" was he? "Visiting sick children" is he? Oh, it's all so monstrously unfair and poor Benny's a victim of a vast footy-hating conspiracy!

What a load of bullshit. Surely, when noted idiot Michael Gardiner is speaking out for you, you're not in a good way. Ben's a bad, bad man with some serious problems. Not least of them is being spoilt, coddled, excused and generally given a free hand to do as he pleases. When no-one - even from the government and judiciary - can step up and lay some home truths on him, this is the result. It's happened before and it will happen again. Wake up, Australia!

Johnson

Next we saw the Pies horror month of court cases roll on, with bad boy brawler Ben Johnson avoiding any further legal inconvenience. Magistrate Felicity Broughton saw fit to let him off without conviction despite his role in a terrible car-park assault:

Johnson, 25, was charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault over a fight involving former Magpie Chris Tarrant outside the Ocean Blue nightclub at Station Pier on July 30.

Bayswater North electrician Robert Howie, 28, was treated in hospital for head injuries after the incident.

Today Johnson appeared at Melbourne Magistrates' Court after successfully applying for a diversion hearing.

...

Ms Broughton ordered Johnson to continue his work at the Epworth, with a minimum requirement of 100 visits over the next 18 months.

She also offered he donate $3,000 to a charity for people with brain injuries and to write a letter of apology to his victim. (The Age, 19/12/2006)

I'm sure that the written apology, forgoing one week's pay and a few hospital visits to people with brain injuries will have more or less zero benefit and deterrence value. What the hell is going on when people can get away with bashing someone to the point of serious head injuries with a token slap on the wrist like this? You'd have to wonder if these liberties would be granted to anyone else.

Krakouer

Richmond Tigers have also been swept up in the pre-Christmas glad tidings, with their young player Andrew Krakouer (allegedly) involved in, yep, drunken violence:

RICHMOND AFL star Andrew Krakouer is likely to plead not guilty to a charge of assault causing grievous bodily harm, his lawyer told a Perth court today.

Krakouer today appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court with his brother Tyrone Krakouer, 21, also charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm.

Andrew Krakouer, 23, was charged over an incident in Fremantle, on Friday night.

Justin Robin Martin, 24, sustained head injuries in the incident and is in Perth's Charles Gairdner Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Andrew Krakouer's lawyer John Prior told the court his client "was likely to enter a plea of not guilty".

His brother's lawyer indicated Tyrone Krakouer was also likely to plead not guilty.

Mr Prior asked for Andrew Krakouer's next court appearance to be on January 4 because of his footballing duties.

"My client Andrew Krakouer is a professional footballer who plays for Richmond and he's due to return to Melbourne now," Mr Prior told the court. (The Australian, 19/12/2006)

So another young man with serious head injuries, this time in intensive care. And more courts twisting and turning and bending over backwards to ensure that football "duties" are not overly put out by the demands of justice. (Krakouer can't even claim "diplomatic immunity" like Brodie Holland.) It's just sickening and will continue until the courts, media and general public say "enough is enough" and crack down on the unacceptable violence. We'll keep a close eye on this one and see if there's any justice delivered in the end.

Carey

The (admittedly disreputable) Herald-Sun is running a story about domestic violence in the Wayne Carey/Kate Neilson household. After (allegedly) cheating on his pregnant wife Sally (again), then leaving Sally for the blonde grid girl just six weeks after his wife gave birth, Kate announced she was now "officially" with Woiyne. It seems some ugliness has entered their happy lives together:

WAYNE Carey's girlfriend has told police she was assaulted by the former football champion.

It has been alleged a frightened Kate Neilson went to police after an incident at a Port Melbourne penthouse apartment.

The Herald Sun believes the model told police she was scared to leave the two-time Kangaroos premiership player.

Carey and Ms Neilson have denied the incident, but police sources claim she called 000 after being struck last Thursday, but was so distraught operators couldn't understand her complaint.

It was handed over to police and she went to South Melbourne police station to speak to officers there about 1.30am.

Police have told the Herald Sun that Ms Neilson had minor injuries when she arrived at the station, and she claimed Carey had punched her. (Herald-Sun, 28/12/2006)

Both Wayne Carey and Kate Neilson are denying all of this, with Neilson suggesting that someone made the whole thing up as a prank. I seriously hope that the notorious root-rat isn't adding domestic violence to his repertoire of criminality and that young Kate has the good sense to run a million miles if it's true. Wayne is a bad and untrustworthy man and she should be well-shod of him in any case.

Johnson

Geelong Cats didn't miss out either, with a showing by Steve Johnson at Wangaratta. Any guesses what he got up to? Care for a stab? Here's a clue: he's done this kind of thing before. I'm sure you won't be blown backwards off your chair in astonishment if I tell you that he was arrested for being drunk in a public place. Details are sketchy, but when you consider the overwhelming lenience shown to footballers by police plus the backstory from the last time this happened, it's fair to say more went on than just being drunk in public.

Naturally, the club is disappointed ... that he tried to keep it a secret. But they're not prepared to sanction him - yet. Given his lack-lustre performance and injured knee, it seems his career is hanging in the balance. He could hardly claim this was his first alcohol-driven offence.

Black

Heath Black got pinged for having a sly piss out the front of the Little Creatures breweries, in Fremanle, back on December 9th. Hey, I love that beer!

Black was fined $150 (with $105) costs arising from his guilty plea on the charge of disorderly behaviour. Hmmm, "disorderly"? Perhaps he was splashing it about. In any case, this is the Heath Black who made himself unpopular last year with his Day at the Races seeing a racegoer badly injured after being punched out. Heath's club - Fremantle Dockers - did will to keep this under wraps for a month. I doffs me hat to their PR flacks.

So, nine scandals in a month involving alcohol and/or violence. For godsakes, what is going wrong with these idiots?

*** UPDATE ***
Andrew Krakouer has had his charges upgraded from grievous bodily harm (14 years) to doing an act intended to cause bodily harm (20 years). Along with his co-accussed, the Tigers star is pleading not guilty.

*** UPDATE ***
Some 18 months after the initial assault, it seems justice has finally caught up with Richmond's Andrew Krakouer. He has been jailed for 32 months by District Court Judge Kate O'Brien for his "vicious and cowardly" unprovoked assault outside a Fremantle nightclub. Other words used to describe the attack include "mindless", "persistent" and "brutal". Yep, sounds like a typical footballer. Of course, his club, Richmond, weighed in with glowing reports of his leadership and mentoring abilities. Yep, sounds like a typical footy club too, putting the best spin on things.

While Krakouer (who will be joined in jail by his brother, Tyrone) may be out by next Christmas, let's not forget that his victim, Justin Martin, spent two weeks in intensive care with a smashed up face after being king hit, kicked in the head and suffering seizures, severe cuts and bruises and now a kidney disorder after trying to flee the unexpected and unprovoked assault.

Citations: The Age, 4/12/2006; SMH, 5/12/2006; SMH, 9/12/2006; The Age, 19/12/2006; The Australian, 19/12/2006; Herald-Sun, 28/12/2006

Word Count: 2123

Tags: footy, booze, bashing, sleaze

Sam Newman versus The Sisterhood

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:19:00 -0700

Serial pest Sam Newman has only been back on telly for a couple of weeks, but he's already generating headlines with his hate-filled, sexist "quips". This one relates to his assessment of a female Tasmanian politician, Paula Wriedt, as "worthy of coming on". Credit to the panel, they immediately took him to task - once the guffaws from the audience died down.
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A Few Roos Loose In Top Paddock

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:13:00 -0800

The Kangaroos have suspended Shannon Grant for a match for "breaking club rules" at a golf day.
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Footy Finances Exposed

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 15 May 2007 22:30:00 -0700

More insight into how the AFL makes its rivers of cash came to light in the past week. It's not all selling overpriced pies - there's many lines of business to exploit, and once again, the AFL isn't shy about taking people to court when it feels its million-dollar interests are threatened.
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Kerr Unleashed On Fearful Public

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 23:19:00 -0800

More chilling evidence of the mentality that pervades the West Coast Eagles. This time, it was a sworn statement from an alleged victim of Daniel Kerr. The Age reports today that Drew Hodgekiss, 18, alleged he had his shirt pulled over his head and was bashed by Kerr at a party. Apparently, he then told police that Kerr said "I am too good for the Eagles. They wouldn't delist me."
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Wayne Carey Throws Away Career

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:21:00 -0800

One of AFL footy's greatest ever players, Wayne Carey, has imploded in a stupefyingly spectacular outburst of anger, misogyny and violence. It seems his entire post-football career is finished, with his employers falling over themselves in a rush to ditch him. Facing police assault charges in Miami and with the prospect of more in Australia, earlier questions about his behaviour towards his girlfriend, model Kate Neilson, have been raised again.

Disturbance in Port Melbourne

The current controversy kicked off when Wayne Carey, a regular topic of interest here on The Speccy, (allegedly) called police to his exclusive Port Melbourne apartment. Apparently, he wanted them to remove his girlfriend, the "grid girl" and "glamour model" Kate Neilson, and her friend Sabella Sugar:

Kate Neilson, working to promote bogan-sports.
Source: Herald-Sun.

When police arrived, it's alleged that Carey became out of control:

Senior Constable Wayne Wilson said police were allegedly assaulted at the apartment front door.

"Police arrived and then at the front door the fellow from the address allegedly assaulted police officers," Sen Const Wilson said.

"They struggled with him, sprayed him. He was arrested and taken to the St Kilda police station where he was spoken to and interviewed, and a brief of evidence will be prepared in relation to assault police. (Perth Now, 28/1/2008)

So Carey was "maced" (or, more correctly, sprayed with capsicum spray) by police in an effort to control him. At this point, standard procedure requires paramedics to be called. We can see the effects of this thanks to the CCTV footage from the security cameras in the lift and lobby:

This security footage - apparently purchased by our old friends Channel 7 - has sparked its own mini-scandal:

The Seven Network tonight aired what it described as exclusive security footage from Carey's apartment building.

The footage showed Carey, dressed in a blue t-shirt and jeans, being led into a lift and then out of the foyer by two police officers.

Carey appeared red-faced and, in one portion of the footage, was having water poured over his face. [see above]

But the Nine Network said police were investigating how the footage was obtained.

A security guard offered Nine the same footage for $20,000 but the network did not buy it because it was feared the images were stolen, Nine reporter Tony Jones said tonight.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police denied such an investigation had been launched. (The Age, 28/1/2008)

(Heh. Still, not as damaging to the league as naming [that club] in The Great Medical Records Shitstorm of 2007.)

Carey was maced, cuffed and taken into custody and the scandal broke around midnight on Sunday night. By Monday, his radio gig at 3AW was under threat, with broadcaster Neil Mitchell publicly decrying Carey. By Tuesday, the axe had fallen and Wayne Carey was not to have his contract renewed. (Predictably, 3AW claimed this was a decision they'd already taken and had nothing to do with his actions over the weekend.)

Miami Incident Goes Public

Kate Neilson, in trouble in paradise.
Source: Herald-Sun

Later on Tuesday, Australia was rocked to hear that in October 2007, Wayne Carey had been charged by US police in Miami under suspiciously similar circumstances: a domestic disturbance followed by assault against police:

In the report, arresting officer Daniel Rodriguez said Kate Neilson told police when they arrived that her boyfriend of two years had smashed a wine glass on her mouth, causing lacerations to her mouth and neck.

Police went upstairs to the couple's hotel room and knocked several times on the door, but Carey didn't answer.

When hotel security opened the door, Carey was asleep on the bed and did not wake until police tapped him on the shoulder, the incident report stated.

"At this point he became aggressive, jumped out of bed and became confrontational towards these officers," Officer Rodriguez said.

After a scuffle Carey fell back on the bed and kicked Officer Rodriguez in the mouth.

When police attempted to restrain Carey, he elbowed a second officer in the face.

Carey was turned on his stomach and put into handcuffs, but as he was hauled away continued to push the second officer, using his shoulders and side.

When he was put inside the patrol vehicle, he bashed his head against the plexiglass of the divider separating him from the officers. (The Age, 30/1/2008)

Carey's Miami Mugshot
Source: The Age

Carey was so out-of-control he had to be "hobbled" with special leg restraints for "combative, violent, high-risk people". He is due in court in Miami on February 15th and faces up to 15 years in jail for his alleged criminal behaviour. As a result of this latest scandal, Channel 9 dumped him from his on-air roles with the (loathsome) AFL Footy Show and Footy Confidential. I doubt anyone will miss his tactless and cruel remarks about the problems of others.

More Details of Party Emerge

Adding to the furore, new stories have surfaced about underworld links and drugs at the party at Carey's Rouse St apartment in the hours leading up to his arrest:

Traces of cocaine were also allegedly found in Carey's apartment, sources said.

Today Tonight reported last night that Stingers actor Kate Kendall and her husband, former Carlton football great Wayne "The Dominator" Johnston, were invited guests at a party Carey hosted on Sunday.

Kendall's manager said they had left the party long before police were called.

A source close to police repeated details of the party to The Age. The source said a high-profile horse trainer and a former VFL footballer who is a known associate of murdered drug dealer Jason Moran, were also present. (The Age, 30/1/2008)

Party Girls, Sabella and Kate
Source: Daily Telegraph

At this point, we should remind readers that Wayne Carey was also an associate of (now slain) drug dealer and hitman Jason Moran, Mark's half-brother. Carey gave character testimony for Moran in 2000.

Back in March, 2007, we covered an Age investigation detailing a major drug operation against a well-known former AFL player with a huge media profile for his cocaine use. At the time, Carey refused to rule himself out:

FOOTBALL great Wayne Carey refuses to say whether he has dabbled with cocaine, and insists he knows nothing about the alleged habits of other sporting greats.

As the game's big names went to ground yesterday, Carey told the Herald Sun he was unaware of claims a former star player was under police pressure to snitch on a cocaine dealer.

But the controversial ex-Roo and Crow would not say if he had dabbled with the drug himself.

"No, I'm here with my daughter," Carey said.

"I'm saying no, I don't want to comment." (Herald-Sun, 26/3/2008)

It's also not the first time Carey has been accused of domestic violence. As we reported just over a year ago, allegations were levelled against him for attacking Kate Neilson in December, 2007:

WAYNE Carey's girlfriend has told police she was assaulted by the former football champion.

It has been alleged a frightened Kate Neilson went to police after an incident at a Port Melbourne penthouse apartment.

The Herald Sun believes the model told police she was scared to leave the two-time Kangaroos premiership player.

Carey and Ms Neilson have denied the incident, but police sources claim she called 000 after being struck last Thursday, but was so distraught operators couldn't understand her complaint.

It was handed over to police and she went to South Melbourne police station to speak to officers there about 1.30am.

Police have told the Herald Sun that Ms Neilson had minor injuries when she arrived at the station, and she claimed Carey had punched her. (Herald-Sun, 28/12/2006)

Kate Nielson and Wayne Carey in Happier Days
Source: Adelaide Now

The public long suspected Wayne Carey was a bad man, stemming from incidents going back years. We were just prepared to overlook the facts on account of his star footy status. A philander, a misogynist, as well as aggressive and violent with extensive underworld connections. A man who indecently attacked a 19 year-old woman out the front of a nightclub. A man who cheated on his wife with his team-mate, and then abandoned her a second time just weeks after she gave birth.

Now, it seems that without his prodigious football talent to hide behind, he is being hung out to dry and getting exactly what he deserves. (Even his entry into the AFL Hall of Fame - formerly a slam-dunk - is now under a cloud.) The great shame is that people didn't see him for the pathetic, angry man that he is earlier. The Australian footy-loving public was blinded to his monstrous flaws and the blind adulation only fuelled his ego and sense of imperviousness.

Consider the remarks of the Miami police, public officials immune to the star power of an Aussie Rules player who can see him for what he is:

Miami Police Lieutenant Bill Schwartz said Carey was a "mess'' and should have left his aggression on the football field. Instead he used "his famous foot" to kick an officers in the mouth.

"It looks as though that he used his wine glass to try to knock out his girlfriend, his foot and elbow to try to knock out some cops and his head to try to knock out a police car," Lt Schwartz said.

He said the officers did not know who Carey was then.

"To us, he was just another thug."

...

"The young woman had lacerations to her mouth and her neck, apparently she had been hit in the face with a wine glass,'' Lt Schwartz told the Nine Network.

"She told us Mr Carey had done this.

...

"Mr Carey became belligerent when we approached him - in fact, he ended up kicking one of our officers in the mouth with his famous foot," Lt Schwartz said.

"He struck another officer in the side of the head with his elbow and he had to be subdued.

"Then once he was handcuffed and in the police car, he took his head and tried to bash a hole in the partition between the prisoner's side and the officer's.

"Clearly Mr Carey has anger management issues and he seemed to be upset with the entire world that particular morning. (Herald-Sun, 30/1/2008)

There you have it. Just another thug upset at the entire world. If only the rest of us had seen Wayne Carey so clearly ten years ago, if only we weren't so quick to make excuses and overlook his behaviour, maybe all this pain, heartache and disappointment could have been avoided.

*** UPDATE ***
With violent, drug-addled thug Wayne Carey back in the headlines, it's worth a quick post rounding up the key points, breaking news and other sordid details from his life with paramour Kate Neilson. Click through for the latest word.

Citations: Perth Now, 28/1/2008; The Age, 28/1/2008; The Age, 30/1/2008; The Age, 30/1/2008; Herald-Sun, 26/3/2008; Herald-Sun, 28/12/2006; Herald-Sun, 30/1/2008

Word Count: 1861

Tags: footy, scandals, court, media, bashing

AFL Exports Aussie Violence To Ireland

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:19:00 -0800

The AFL has used the International Rules series against Ireland to export our unique brand of off-field drunkenness and violence. In the first case of its kind, Brendan Fevola - International Man of Stupidity - has brought disgrace to his country with an alcohol-fuelled assault against an Irish barman as well as introducing an exciting new form of biff-artistry to the Irish.

In a brilliant stroke of marketing genius, the AFL player has seized on the tour as an opportunity to build an off-shore fanbase for our homegrown game by showcasing a capacity for thuggery. While the idea of exporting drunken pub bashings to Ireland may seem like carrying coal to Newcastle, the AFL group has cleverly married the existing demand for such activities with the novel twist of Australian thugs dishing out the biff. As aficionados of public bar brawls say, if you can make it in Ireland, you can make it anywhere.

In a carefully planned operation, Carlton Blues star Brendan Fevola (ably assisted by his team-mates) started drinking at 1pm on Sunday (29th of October) at the Galway Races, ensuring he was good and liquored up by the evening. They arrived at the Imperial Hotel where the staff reported "the group of Australian players were "very drunk" upon arrival and one unnamed player vomited in the bar area." (The Age, 1/11/2006). Staff also "claimed that another two Australian players were "messing around" near the reception area of the hotel." and that "The young girl on reception was terrified" (Herald-Sun, 1/11/2006). The scene for Operation Loose Cannon was set.

The Irish barman, identified only as Paul, walked blindly into his role in the publicity stunt by trying to cut off the booze. Fevola reacted like any footballer when he doesn't get his way: threats, intimidation and actual violence:

[Barman Paul] said Fevola and a couple of his teammates were being louts and he had warned them to calm down or he would refuse to serve them.

Fevola allegedly responded by swearing abuse at the barman so Paul went to call the police.

“So I said ‘fine, sorry lads I’m going to have to ring the police’," Paul told Southern Cross Broadcasting today.

"So I walked out to reception not knowing that he was actually following me – he went around the other side of the bar to follow me.

“As I was on the phone to the police he grabbed me in a headlock and pulled me out of reception while he had a bottle in his hand.

“I was just worried about the bottle, so I struggled with him to get the bottle released and one of the fellow barmen came out and took the bottle out of his hand.

“And as he (the other barman) did he (Fevola) swung and hit me in the cheek.

“Straight after that the rest of the team came out and they pulled him off me and they had to restrain him from getting at me again." (Herald-Sun, 1/11/2006)

Paul has been quite clear that Fevola struck him and is reported as wanting to see him charged with assault. Police are said to be reviewing CCTV footage of the incident, and no official word is forthcoming as yet about the legal status. Brendan Fevola denies striking Paul, and is surprisingly sure about events for someone who was by all accounts pissed out of his gourd:

"I've done the wrong thing by getting him in a headlock . . . it was pretty stupid," Fevola said.

"I'm just glad I didn't hit him. I would've been in more trouble if I'd hit him. A lot more trouble.

"It was just a headlock.

"If I wanted to hit him, I would've hit him." (Herald-Sun, 1/11/2006)

Somewhat bizarrely, the Irish police (gardai) aren't the only ones investigating the incident. Used to enjoying quasi-judicial powers in Australia, the AFL executive and the players' union have pulled out their own trenchcoats and over-sized magnifying glasses to engage in a bit of overseas amateur sleuthery:

The AFL held its own investigation into the incident on Monday, speaking to Fevola, other players at the bar, the barman and hotel staff.

Late in the day Fevola faced an AFL disciplinary committee, set up to deal with incidents on tour.

The committee -- Demetriou, football operations manager Adrian Anderson, AFL Players' Association chief executive Brendon Gale, captain Dustin Fletcher and coach Kevin Sheedy -- decided to hit Fevola with a heavy penalty.

Fevola addressed the committee. Demetriou confirmed the Blue had admitted he had drunk too much alcohol.

It was decided he would be suspended from the second Test in Dublin on Sunday.

Fevola won't be fined. (Herald-Sun, 1/11/2006)

Hmmm, his "heavy penalty" includes dodging any fine and not playing in the Second Test (given he was not even selected for the First Test, how likely was he to make it to the Second?). Still, if one of your players heroically acts as a spearhead for promoting the game to a new audience, you can't be seen to be too harsh.

But slight rebukes are par for the course in this kind of incident. What's disturbing is the fact that the seasoned "detectives" of the self-appointed Aussie Rules Footy Squad took it upon themselves to interview bar staff and other witnesses to a crime under active investigation: "Hi, we're Brendan's employer and union rep - tell us what you saw." While some sticklers for the rules might be worried that this could create the impression of tampering with witnesses, it's really just part of the follow-up focus group study for the bold new initiative.

This a tried and true method for assessing a new marketing campaign. Some of the questions the AFL leadership put to the witnesses would have been:

Were you impressed by the imposing physicality of the AFL players?

How did the levels of drunkenness compare with your own footballers?

In a car park brawl, how would you rate the Aussies' chances?

Did the display of naked aggression make you want to watch Aussie Rules in future?

And so on. No doubt this same kind of careful planning went into selecting Brendan Fevola for his role in this stunt. They needed someone with a proven record in shenanigans, but without the truly killer instincts of some of the more psychopathic players. Handily enough, The Australian provided a brief CV of Fevola's past experience in his capacity as drunken dickhead:

Fevola has tested the trust of Carlton fans and officials with off-field disciplinary problems and on-field petulance.

Fevola, whose cheeky personality has made him a favourite on Channel Nine's Footy Show, first found fame for all the wrong reasons in 2001.

Fevola's frizzy 'fro made him easily identifiable as the culprit behind a prank at Victoria University's Maidstone student village in May of that year.

He was labelled pathetic by former president John Elliott after he sprayed a female student leader in the face with a fire extinguisher and fought with security in a pre-dawn incident involving team-mates Matthew Lappin, who is also in Ireland, and discarded Blue Andrew Merrington. "I ran to the foyer, and as I was getting there, the door opened and I saw a guy with dark, curly hair wearing a white top, just before they blasted me with the fire extinguisher," the student said.

"It was really hard, hurting my eyes and my face and I was just trying to get a hold of them and grab them."

In another incident that year, Fevola and team-mate Ryan Houlihan harassed the manager of a North Melbourne dry-cleaner after a big night out.

He was also evicted from a Brunswick hotel amid accusations alcohol had been stolen and staff abused.

In 2004, the Blues punished Fevola when he missed a morning training session shortly before the start of the season.

It was revealed he had been involved in an altercation with Crown Casino security staff six hours earlier while leaving a party which was also attended by Formula One star Michael Schumacher and boxer Anthony Mundine.

This year, Fevola had charges of driving while disqualified dismissed after proving a cancellation notice had been sent to an old address.

He was fined for talking on his mobile phone while driving. (The Australian, 1/11/2006)

Nothing too serious, but a proven record of loutishness and a "cheeky persona" that ensures the Australian footballing public will soon forgive him.

Of course, the test of whether this surprise move to appeal to Irish bloodlust will pay off is in the Irish public reaction. While the story is generating some buzz in the Irish and UK media, it remains to be seen if this will translate into attendance figures and TV ratings. Here's hoping the Irish have more sense than us when it comes to hero-worshipping vicious thugs.

*** UPDATE ***
Oh dear, it seems this story just keeps getting worse.

For starters, it's now being alleged that the intimidation and threatening behaviour wasn't limited to just Brendan Fevola:

In a new twist, the barman dragged two other unnamed Australian players into the row, saying they and Fevola made threats to junior bar staff before the Carlton star allegedly assaulted him.

But the barman stressed neither of the other two players was involved in the physical altercation.

"They threatened my junior bar staff. I made the decision to refuse them drinks, and they got very aggressive, threatening me," Paul said. (Nine News, 1/11/2006)

Of course, the poor Irish bar staff are unfamiliar with the Australian custom of meekly complying with any and all requests from big shot footy heroes (it helps if you tug your forelock and don't make eye contact). I don't think Fevola's ever heard "no" before.

Next, The Fev showed us the childish lack of insight or self-reflection that can only come with being raised in a bubble of privilege:

Fevola risked further AFL sanctions by questioning the disciplinary committee's decision to send him home, and expressed surprise at the furore his actions had caused.

"I thought it was pretty harsh. They have to look like they're doing something, I suppose," Fevola told the Nine Network.

"I just can't believe that I'm not playing for my country and I've let them down and obviously my country as well, so it was pretty shattering." (Nine News, 1/11/2006)

To compound this, Bubble Boy went on to come with a bizarre excuse for his own behaviour - racism at the hands of the Irish! This is a striking example of what can happen to an idiot sportsman when cut adrift in a foreign land, with no spin doctors or media advisers to shield him from saying what he really thinks: It's everyone's fault but mine.

Fevola told reporters the Australian team had been sledged constantly since arriving.

"Everywhere we've gone, the people have been giving us shit, and when a few of the boys were at the casino playing poker, they were sledging the Aboriginal boys ... everywhere we've gone they've just hammered us. With everything."

He also claimed the barman whom he put in a headlock at the Imperial Hotel, an incident local police are still investigating, had goaded him and his teammates.

"It was probably just a build-up from everyone giving us shit throughout the whole week," Fevola said. (SMH, 2/11/2006).

It's called banter, you dolt! You only need to observe a group of more than five people from any of (Ireland, Britain, Australia and New Zealand) in the presence of beer and you will get banter. (The Irish, in particular, are adept at this art form.)

To the credit of Andrew Demetriou, he has come down pretty hard on Fev for this lame excuse (well, short of actually doing anything):

"We've spoken to (the players) and all of them - as one - said they had not suffered any racial abuse. In fact they said they have been treated very well here," [Demetriou] told Southern Cross radio.

"I think it's a very unfair slur on the Irish public. It's just completely untrue."

Yesterday bar staff told theage.com.au they did not know Fevola or the other Australians were football players when they arrived at the Imperial Hotel.

Mr Demetriou said it was disappointing Fevola had attempted to shift the blame for his drunken rampage, which the AFL chief labelled "dangerous, aggressive and totally unacceptable."

He said Fevola owed it to the Irish people to apologise for his comments. (SMH, 2/11/2006)

The bartender, Paul, is still upset that Brendan Fevola managed to slip out of the country, reputedly holed up in Norway waiting for the media storm to blow over. (NB: The story's getting picking up more steam in the UK and Ireland thanks to the new "Irish Racism Made Me Do It" angle.)

Asked if he wanted to press charges, Paul said: "I will indeed, yes."

But he said police had been unable to tell him whether charges would proceed.

"If it was anybody else that made that assault they would have to appear in court either on the Monday or the Wednesday and he's been allowed just to leave the country, which I don't understand." (Nine News, 1/11/2006)

Ah, Paul, poor Paul. Don't you get it? He's a footy superhero and winner of the Coleman Medal! He's not bound by your puny laws and scoffs at your futile notions of justice.

*** UPDATE ***
That punch-happy drunk, Bredan Fevola, has done it again, heaping shame upon his club and encapsulating the dangerous arrogance that permeates professional footy.

This time, he was busted urinating on the window of a Prahran nightclub. Well, why not? When you're a top AFL footballer and member of your club's "leadership group" (whatever the hell that means) then, hey, the world is your toilet! You can just piss where ever you like. Even if that means getting your cock out in public in Melbourne's gay district. Sure, why not? (Truth be told, had any Carlton fans been present they would have desperately scrabbled around on the ground, sopping up his piss with sponges and paper towels for storage and later veneration. That's the mentality we face here.)

Of course, Fevola hasn't exactly been keeping a low-profile this past month. He jeopardised the lives of little kids by recently speeding through a school zone at 20 km/h over the limit. Naturally, he avoided any unpleasant consequences from that. And for an earlier traffic incident that came to light:

Fevola avoided a charge of driving while disqualified in 2006.

When police caught him talking on his mobile phone in Hampton late in 2005 they discovered his licence was already suspended for the loss of demerit points. But the driving while disqualified charge was later struck out because of an address mix-up.

Fevola said he had not received notice of the licence suspension because he had changed address after his wedding. (Herald-Sun, 28/2/2008)

Travelling the world. Getting drunk. Beating people up. Breaking traffic laws. Endangering lives. Screwing teenaged models. Cheating on wives. Opening restaurants. Pissing on bars. Getting paid millions to play footy and be hero-worshipped.

Ah, it must be good to be king.

Citations: The Age, 1/11/2006; Herald-Sun, 1/11/2006; Herald-Sun, 1/11/2006; Herald-Sun, 1/11/2006; Herald-Sun, 1/11/2006; The Australian, 1/11/2006; Nine News, 1/11/2006; Nine News, 1/11/2006; SMH, 2/11/2006; SMH, 2/11/2006; Nine News, 1/11/2006

Word Count: 2299

Tags: footy, bashing, booze

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