Michael Hurley

[e25 5]

Sometimes druck idiots don't seem to understand that they have to actually pay for a service being provided.

touché

[e25 5]

Although I've had a lot or run-ins with taxi drivers and its usually because of their stubbornness or incompetence.

I tend to start out empathetic because i know they cop some abuse, but they manage to change my mind, early and often.

(Edit: forgot the word 'mind'.)

Edited September 27, 2009 by Enforcer25

[Still Waiting 94]

What was that Enforcer25????????

[e25 5]

What was that Enforcer25????????

Not assaulted them, but had altercations. Disagreements.

And it is usually at their initiation.

[jayceebee31 697]

We will or may never know the real true situation.However, this assault problem needs addressing FAST. It is getting far out of control in our Melbourne community.

[H_T 3,032]

*BUMP*

Slap on the WRIST

Edited January 20, 2010 by High Tower

[MrReims 313]

*BUMP*

Slap on the WRIST

Typical. I can honestly say if that was one of our boys, I would want them treated like anyone else. Bet the cab driver wishes he was a bit more of a celebrity...

[JACKATTACK 17]

Two things annoy me about this.

1: The law has not protected the Cab Driver. I wonder what the taxi union will be saying about this.

2: The media have been very easy on him.

Here is a guy who allegedly assaulted someone, not urinated on a building or got too drunk on a boat cruise, assault!! In this article they said this:

"Essendon coach Matthew Knights said late last year that Hurley had to be resilient as he dealt with the fallout from the incident."

Not a mention of how the victim feels, just that Hurley is holding up well.

What a joke.

[Still Waiting 94]

Another guilty, smart arsed, know it all, young AFL prat gets a slap on the wrist with a wet tram ticket.

If any of us non AFL playing people did this, we would have a record and be tarnished for ever.

Weak kneed legal system needs to grow some ba!!s. :angry:

[H_T 3,032]

AFL prat gets a slap on the wrist with a wet tram ticket. ..

....

Damn that Lynne Kosky ! Wish she'd stop crying.

We need a new ticket system in more ways than one.

[John Dee 445]

1: The law has not protected the Cab Driver. I wonder what the taxi union will be saying about this.

All parties must agree for the diversion programme to be invoked. If the taxi driver does not agree to the process, then it will go to court where, if found guilty, Hurley will get his comeuppence.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

so you're 18 years old and you've just established yourself as probably the 2nd best draftee of 2009. You are looking down the barrell of 15 years of playing footy and being famous, probably walking away with about $15 million by the end of it. You get a cab from Crown to Hoddle Street and you do a runner on what would have been about a $10 fare, then when you are caught out you respond by attacking a bloke who is probably one-quarter as powerful as you

must be a real quality person that one

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

All parties must agree for the diversion programme to be invoked. If the taxi driver does not agree to the process, then it will go to court where, if found guilty, Hurley will get his comeuppence.

don't worry about that, the boys down at Windy Hill will get the cheque book out and make sure he agrees

[Guest oldman emubitter]

All parties must agree for the diversion programme to be invoked. If the taxi driver does not agree to the process, then it will go to court where, if found guilty, Hurley will get his comeuppence.

c'mon fellas, wakey wakey, hands off snakey.

since when did the law system stop catering for the rich and privledged?

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

c'mon fellas, wakey wakey, hands off snakey.

since when did the law system stop catering for the rich and privledged?

Doesn't mean we should all be happy with it. You want to see things get out of whack? Try living over here in the states. I would say it's precisely the GP's general dissatisfaction with things like this that breeds a better quality of life in Oz.

[JACKATTACK 17]

All parties must agree for the diversion programme to be invoked. If the taxi driver does not agree to the process, then it will go to court where, if found guilty, Hurley will get his comeuppence.

Fair enough, perhaps it is better to say that the law has not protected the cab drivers as a group , and this cab driver by accepting the diversion program (and potentially money?) is perpetuating the acceptance of these kinds of assaults.

If all this goes down as it sounds like it will then the conclusion I draw from this is that as an AFL footballer, it is better to commit a serious crime like this that offers protection from the media because it becomes a legal matter, rather than say a far less serious act of antisocial behaviour where the media is free to slam you.

Essendon must set an example after the dust settles on all of this, if Hurley accepts the diversion program and therefore the "stated facts of the case" then surely they must enforce their own fines and suspensions in line with other clubs that enforce penalties for far less serious offences. The suspension in particular should be greater and harsher than anything we have seen recently given what it allegedly was.

Edited January 20, 2010 by JACKATTACK

[Whispering_Jack 29,246]

The law may or may not deal with Hurley in the manner described in the article but what will Essendon do if Hurley signs up for the diversion programme? Given that the AFL demanded a "please explain" from Carlton over the booze cruise and endorsed St. Kilda's suspension of Andy Lovett surely the Bombers would have to act against Hurley. And conviction or no conviction, he committed a drunken assault so disciplinary action is warranted.

[Redleg 40,228]

A few facts to digest.

First there will be no "diversion" unless the Court agrees and I don't think with the need to admit all charges, that the Court will easily grant a diversion on an" assault by kicking". Also depending on the injury received by the Cabbie that will also influence the Court. I do note that he was charged with recklessly causing injury, not serious injury and that will help Hurley. If however the Court regards the injury as serious it again can refuse to endorse the "diversion."

Second, as I stated above in order to qualify for the "diversion" Hurley must "admit" all charges. If he does that, then how does the AFL ignore an assault by kicking that causes injury. I suppose to answer my own question in the same way they seem to be ignoring the Casboult incident at Carlton.

Third, how will Essendon ignore an incident where a player admits to assault by kicking causing injury in addition to an unlawful assault. If it does nothing the rest of the group have carte blanche to do what they like with impugnity. This will be a real test of Knights and Essendon's resolve to adopt a strong (law abiding) culture.

Fourth there can be many various conditions imposed under the "diversion program" so if he receives the benefit of diversion it will be interesting to see what conditions are attached.

Edited January 20, 2010 by Redleg

[Wolfmother 182]

The diversion program is open to everyone and it has nothing to do with that he is an AFL footballer...

The courts regular but assaults through diversion and this will be no different.

He has to plea guilty but I reckon they will drop the assault by kicking.

And the cab driver doesn't have to agree the police do not the victim

[jayceebee31 697]

The law may or may not deal with Hurley in the manner described in the article but what will Essendon do if Hurley signs up for the diversion programme? Given that the AFL demanded a "please explain" from Carlton over the booze cruise and endorsed St. Kilda's suspension of Andy Lovett surely the Bombers would have to act against Hurley. And conviction or no conviction, he committed a drunken assault so disciplinary action is warranted.

Agree and the public should be told what the club Essendon F.C. has done about it- not swept under the carpet similar to Carlton has done with the player(thought to be a senior) hancuffed to a rookie, in a sculling competition.

[Whispering_Jack 29,246]

The diversion program is open to everyone and it has nothing to do with that he is an AFL footballer...

The courts regular but assaults through diversion and this will be no different.

He has to plea guilty but I reckon they will drop the assault by kicking.

And the cab driver doesn't have to agree the police do not the victim

One of the questions I've asked myself in recent times is what would be my reaction if it was one of my club's players involved? Until recently (say 2-3 years ago) I would have been against the club taking action independently of the legal system but times have changed. Football clubs and their fortunes are now inextricably bound up with so many partnerships with sponsors, community groups and organisations, government etc. that they simply can't ignore their position in society and their responsibilities.

I think the club has, over the last couple of years, shown it has taken it's role seriously and I would expect if one of ours did a Hurley, a real suspension (ie home and away games, not NAB Cup) of at least 3 - 4 weeks would follow. In a Casboult situation, I would give the ringleaders 2 weeks plus (if applicable) removal from the leadership group.

[jayceebee31 697]

One of the questions I've asked myself in recent times is what would be my reaction if it was one of my club's players involved? Until recently (say 2-3 years ago) I would have been against the club taking action independently of the legal system but times have changed. Football clubs and their fortunes are now inextricably bound up with so many partnerships with sponsors, community groups and organisations, government etc. that they simply can't ignore their position in society and their responsibilities.

I think the club has, over the last couple of years, shown it has taken it's role seriously and I would expect if one of ours did a Hurley, a real suspension (ie home and away games, not NAB Cup) of at least 3 - 4 weeks would follow. In a Casboult situation, I would give the ringleaders 2 weeks plus (if applicable) removal from the leadership group.

Agree totally- and if it was Judd- stripped of captaincy.

Also-W.J. coorect me if I am wrong, didn't Davey get fined $5000.00 for being late home after having a few drinks in Darwin after a funeral and missing the plane- but the dobber was Aaron himself, basically because he felt guilty.

These bloody other footballers re Fevola, Houlihan,Walker ,Betts have got off with the same fine as Davey.Even poor Maric got fined $5000.00 for gambling $10.00 didn't he.

Will hang out to see what Carlton fine the culprit whom handcuffed the rookie however in today's press one of Carlton's players- Russell says he has and the team moved on. Good luck to them but I will hound the AFL if they do nothing in relationship with Carlton over this matter and bygonit wait to see what Essendon does with Hurley and ditto the AFL.

Edited January 20, 2010 by jayceebee31

[CHAMP 347]

The diversion program is open to everyone and it has nothing to do with that he is an AFL footballer...

The courts regular but assaults through diversion and this will be no different.

He has to plea guilty but I reckon they will drop the assault by kicking.

And the cab driver doesn't have to agree the police do not the victim

According to this the victim indeed does have input:

Diversion Program

Of course the Essendon Club may make an offer too hard to refuse.