really great article!

What a dropkick...

hmm - I think it's fair to say that the video is pretty embarrassing - the laughter seems to be at him, and not with him - although not sure how much of it is acted perhaps (especially the bit with his wife)?!

As for the question of fairness, it's an interesting one. The season is over, so how much should an off-field incident influence on-field selection?

On the other hand, there's obviously been a decision made due to a lot of embarrassing incidents involving footballers that they need to crack down on all kinds of questionable behaviour.

The recent Agassi incident (he just published his tell-all memoir) is another example of sportspeople having their personal and sporting lives collide - he seems to have been judged quite harshly by a lot of people for using crystal meth during his career - not performance enhancing, and by the sounds of things during a particularly tough time in his life. Is this fair? Should they have more empathy? Does it matter if nobody else knew at the time and it wasn't helping his game?

I guess in his case though it was hidden, whereas when it becomes more public, the sport worries about the impact on its image.

I'm not sure on this one to tell the truth - perhaps it's a case of AFL taking extreme measures during a time when their players are getting out of control...and need stronger consequences to think about...

I did hear on the radio this morning that in one team (not sure what code sorry) there've been more arrests this year than games won! Not sure that's sending a good message to all their fans - although I know the question of whether or not they should be role models is another (linked) question...

I think as soon as these guys accept the $$ on offer as professional sports people - they are signing up to a code of conduct that is expected of them as role models. Its all part of the deal in my opinion.

totally agree @Jano - I think if professional sports people want to get really wasted and act silly they should do it out of the public eye, not on AFL's night of nights. I think the whole issue of role models is a really interesting one though - on the whole our society regards alcohol in a pretty unhealthy way. A bit off topic perhaps :)

The fine line between sporting celebrity and role model is a reality - they are in the public spotlight, they are sporting heros and they can and do have a responsibility to promote positive messages to young people. The pressure of being a superstar - deserved or not is undeniable - is it fair - probably not but this is their lived reality. So - the underlying question for me is - what's going on in this persons life that drives them to go off the rails and risk everything - we have lots of examples - Carey, Cousins, Fevola.....  - and a hundred others unknown but on the cuspe of stardom who don't quite make it - we never question what happens to them?

So what's the debate about - alcohol and drug abuse in young men that just happens to be in the public eye because these guys are sporting celebs? Take a look around at your own circle of friends - how many do you know that are drinking themselves into oblivion at the end of a hard working week and justifying it as letting off steam? How many guys do you know who blow hundreds of dollars on coke because it gives them a buz? How often have you shared a joint at a party... taken an e before going out for a big night.

The question is not 'are these guys role models?' but rather 'what model are we providing for them that makes it OK to throw away your career for the sake of a drink or a big night on the town?'

Great points footprints. I agree that this guy's behaviour is highly reminescient of what most young guys I know would do on a really, really, big special night. I think there is:

1.) the question of why he is doing it. I imagine all the many friday and saturdays nights of no alcohol or going out throughout the season -as training is often sat and sun - might have a significant impact. And that alcohol and fun go hand in hand in australia - or so our culture behaves.
2.) hasn't it ever happened to you? Somehow you manage to getter drunker than everybody else? Woudln't it be even funnier if it was on film.. wouldn't it be even more inviting when you're that drunk to be provocative to people you don't like on film...
3.) Yes he is a role model, but how much is that role model image being fostered within the clubs AND how much are they supported to live up to that image AND how does that image compare with the guy getting all the women and spending big (= drinking) AND with all the constant comercials which relate alcohol with sport AND with him personally. If I were him I dunno what image i'd be trying to live up to.

I'm a collingwood supporter (long time traditional rivals for those not familiar with AFL) and *I* even felt a little sorry for him....