Collingwood's drinking culture

[BigPete33]

Yeah that's a pretty weak effort (on all counts)

Have to say though, it doesn't seem to just be Collingwood. Essendon has been mentioned already, and I recall Richmond having similar issues semi recently (their major sponsor absolutely loved it, not).

What's the minimum salary for an AFL player on the senior list? I'd hazard a guess they can afford a taxi, perchance a limo (then they wouldn't have to run to the dunny to snort their coke).

[troyh]

Just announced, Didak was in the car too and they've lied to their club.

There goes 2 more of my fantasy footy team. After Ablett, Ling, Burton, Porplyzia, Cornes and Porplyzia again my finals campaign is screwed.

[bennymacca]

wow, didak and shaw are both up sh-it creek http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabi ... wsId=64811

and i have both of them in my fantasy footy team. i am screwed

[Scotty]

Herald Sun's similar article, with a fair bit of detail about the incident ...

"Given the club has now found their information to be false, it strikes at the principles of honesty and integrity that the Collingwood Football Club is built on."

Collingwood said the sanction imposed today will be "immediately reviewed" by the club, adding that a press conference to be held on Tuesday.

Despite the charge, Shaw has escaped suspension from the club and will play this weekend in the crucial clash against St Kilda.

[Hans_Gruber]

As far as I'm concerned, what players do outside of their club is their own business - unless it affects their playing performance.

For that matter it's really only an issue because the media makes it. How many people do far worse and don't have it reported? Sensationalist cr ap in my opinion...

[stevo]

In theory I agree, what a player does in their spare time shouldn't matter if it doesn't effect their performance however the problem lies in the fact that our great game is now bigger than just the game itself. A club (and the AFL generally) has their image to protect so they can be seen as marketable and able to attract sponsors. Also players are role models for many children and other people growing up and so we can't have them fostering this type of behaviour. Yes, they don't chose to be role models, and the media are the one's who make them out to be the superstar celebs and hence role models, however it is part and parcel of being a top AFL footballer nowadays so there is more to worry about than just a player's performance on the field.

[bennymacca]

the problem is, collingwood had a major sponsor, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) pull out earlier in the year when one of their other players got done for drink driving - thats when it becomes the club's problem.

i am not really that big on players being role models and the like, but the fact is, they are, whether they like it or not. parents will stop supporting clubs if these sort of things keep on occuring, which hurts the club even more.

[Hans_Gruber]

Look, absolutely 100% agree - it's reflecting on the Club and the League, so some kind of disciplinary action is in order. My gripe is more that the media creates an unrealistic expectation for players, and puts them in spotlights that they otherwise wouldn't be in.

[rcon]

Yes, they don't chose to be role models, and the media are the one's who make them out to be the superstar celebs and hence role models, however it is part and parcel of being a top AFL footballer nowadays so there is more to worry about than just a player's performance on the field.

Ah, but they would not be paid anywhere near as much as what they do without being put into a role model situation. If they really only wanted to play footy and didn't care about the money, go back to the VFL or SANFL. They choose to be role models the second they sign a contract with their clubs - clubs would all include clauses stipulating players do a certain amount of community/charity work (most involving kids), and this would all be explained to them up front. You don't even need to behave, you just need to be discrete - the trade off for earning the big bucks.

My gripe is more that the media creates an unrealistic expectation for players, and puts them in spotlights that they otherwise wouldn't be in.

Hardly unreasonable - parents pay lots of $$ for their kids to be dressed up like their heroes. And they do choose to be in said spot light

[rcon]

Shaw, Didak out for season
Just think what it did for Stevie over at the Cats.