Politics and Sports

F.F.C: Hear no Evil, See No Evil, Speak no Evil


A few weeks ago, Australian’s awoke to find themselves with a new Prime Minister.

Supporters of the Western Bulldogs, like myself, would surely have been stoked to discover that, perhaps for the first time in Australian history, the Sons of the West donned their memorabilia in the Prime Ministerial Office.

Other Aussie’s wondered why. “I voted for a blonde barbie doll” a friend commented to me, “now I have a ranga”. My questions about whether her blonde barbie doll was in fact grey, or had his name been on her ballot paper, were dismissed with an apathetic turn of the head.

Julia sacked her boss because she knew if she didn’t, her party would not be able to lead, so they say. Despite winning against Howard in opposition, the polls told a story of doom in an Rudd v. Abbott contest. Whilst the running of the nation may perhaps be an important issue to some people, the fact that Abbott is actually contesting the Prime Ministership is amusing enough to allow me to delve into my own shallow concern of AFL footy.

Barry Hall, a recovering short fuse, was given numerous chances, even after king hitting an opposition player in a manner which could have cost that player his life. Baz has clearly given his every effort to reform his behaviour since this time. He quit footy, most likely scared of his own actions. The ‘dogs gave him a chance to shine for the last years of his career and shone he has. Yet, a few weeks ago, after some unclassy provocation from a North Melbourne Player, he faced the possibility of serious penalty from the AFL for the headlock that followed. At the time, I sympathised wtih Baz, perhaps I still do, however the fact is that Hall was standing up against a very unexperienced player. Despite my love for Baz I can’t help but wonder ‘who is the adult here’? We swat flies, we wave in front our faces to keep them away, we do not put them in headlocks.

Ben Cousins, of the RFC has been subjected to unrelenting media for his illicit drug issues. Unfairly, I think. If he were studying law at the time of his issues (and many law students of that age do), he’d have a much better chance at a career and happiness then he did being a footy player. He’s never been accused of hurting anyone other than himself.

Mick Malthouse was chastised for his comments to a certain player of a certain team earlier this year and was forced to semi-apoligise. The footy player complained on air that Malthouse had not contacted him to apologise via phone. The alleged victim has not left her house in two years and the player goes on to be a footy hero loved by many. The likliehood of the investigation being re-opened is slim to none. It’s a situation that all supporters of the AFL should really be concerned about.

Then we have Jason Akermanis. Big Mouth Aker. Handstanding Aker. Aker who is not only an amazing footy player, but entirely uncontroversial in many ways. He played footy, he got married, he had kids. Aker has never been involved in any illegal activity. He wrote an honest article about whether or not the afl was prepared for open gay footballers. To me it was obvious, of course the afl is not, not most clubs anyhow. Many clubs are still trying to resolve misogony as a first step. Aker did not advocate the reality, he simply spoke it’s reality. From the outside, I cannot see anything he has done wrong at Footscray. And I am deeply concerned about what his sacking, and the way it was done, says about the FFC. My gut tells me that this sort of culture is not one that can win premierships.