SEN Report: Ward & Goodwin 12 weeks

[Ash35 425]

Andrew Maher reported on SEN this morning that he had spoken to a club offical from either Melbourne or Adelaide [he wouldn't say which club] and the indication to the club from the AFl was that a punishment would be handed down on Friday and it could be up to 12 weeks for both Ward and Goodwin, and a wrap on the knuckles for Hale and Jack.

It just seems strange to me that you, as an AFL player, can virtually have a cocaine habit, and you won't be named publicly or punished to any great extent, yet have a couple of bets on the footy, mostly not involving your team, or at the worst, betting on your team to win, and you could miss half the season through suspension.

[Jaded No More 68,920]

It could be a blessing in disguise....

[Finks 19]

It just seems strange to me that you, as an AFL player, can virtually have a cocaine habit, and you won't be named publicly or punished to any great extent, yet have a couple of bets on the footy, mostly not involving your team, or at the worst, betting on your team to win, and you could miss half the season through suspension.

That's exactly what has me confused too Ash.

[WonnaJurah 5]

you would think drugs n sport was far worse the gambling wouldnt u?

[Nasher 33,616]

Completely agree Ash. This was posted by Demonology's resident sensationalist Burnzo last week:

So basically if you're a rapist, wife beater, crook, thug, drug user or associate of hardcore crims the AFL protects you and respects your privacy (what?)! You can stroll outta court without conviction, get into the hall of fame, waltz into your team of the century, get a lap of honour at the grand final AND a walk up start for a commentary position as well!

However, if you're a green kid who bets $5 on the Granny you're deserving of a public shaming!

The AFL admin are so morally and spiritually corrupt it's unbelievable, and we, the passive hordes, keep sucking it in and copping it.

I'm gonna SPEW!

Bleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Sums it up perfectly I think.

[CarnTheDees 52]

you would think drugs n sport was far worse the gambling wouldnt u?

That all depends. Are you talking about players smoking a joint in the off-season to relax, or using steroids to gain a competitive advantage? Similarly, are you talking about a player having $5 on one of his mates to win the Brownlow, or putting $10,000 on his team to lose?

There is no clear cut "drugs is worse than gambling". It all depends to what extent each is taken. Both have the possibility of being trivial non-issues or full-blown disasters, but caution must be taken to prevent the latter, hence the AFL's tough stance on both issues.

[Ash35 425]

you would think drugs n sport was far worse the gambling wouldnt u?

Performance enhancing drugs definately. Even recreational drugs to me is a big deal.

Gambling only really becomes an issue when players back against their own team.

Simon Goodwin for example, has apparently backed West Coast to win the premiership AFTER they beat Adelaide in last years preliminary final. Now, what harm is there in that. He liked what he saw, he though "Well, if they're good enough to beat us, they're good enough to win the flag etc". How does this compromise the integrity of the game?

[WonnaJurah 5]

very good point Carn , there both as bad as each other.id say dope would be mild, but harder recreational drugs (coke,e's,heroin), thats where i would draw the line. if Angwin got named for his drug problems, why is it stopping them naming these other players that are also doing it?

[Demonland 72,211]

Andrew Maher reported on SEN this morning that he had spoken to a club offical from either Melbourne or Adelaide [he wouldn't say which club] and the indication to the club from the AFL was that a punishment would be handed down on Friday and it could be up to 12 weeks for both Ward and Goodwin, and a wrap on the knuckles for Hale and Jack.

It just seems strange to me that you, as an AFL player, can virtually have a cocaine habit, and you won't be named publicly or punished to any great extent, yet have a couple of bets on the footy, mostly not involving your team, or at the worst, betting on your team to win, and you could miss half the season through suspension.

Twelve weeks sounds a bit harsh to me for a first offence for both players especially when they know they have a flawed system of detection and neither player acted corruptly by betting against his team to win.

And in view of the different standards applied in protecting drug users it sound a bit hypocritical to me.

[WonnaJurah 5]

Didnt Ward bet against his team.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Didnt Ward bet against his team.

No, apparently he bet on Melbourne to win.

[Hards 2]

Ward was always going to get hit hard, because he bet on a game involving his own team.

It makes a mockery of the decision to protect those who have tested positive to illicit drugs (though it's not like the community doesn't know who the three who tested twice are).

More of the usual AFL hypocricy

[John Dee 445]

What we have all got to understand is that for out-of-season drug tests to proceed the AFL needed the compliance of the AFL Players Association. In-season tests are conducted under the WADA controls and result in harsh penalties for even first offences. The AFLPA only agreed to out-of-season tests with the understanding that the detection of non-performance enhancing drugs would not have public penalties until the third offence. The argument being that, if rehabilitation is your prime objective, this was the best course. This argument has since been tested in court and the AFL/AFLPA were successful in keeping the names of the three players who have two offences somewhat secret. The AFLPA made some veiled threats that the publication of the names would void the agreement with the AFL and then all out-of-season tests would cease. It is a moot point as to how much weight this had in the successful injunction against Fairfax??.

Thus, the AFL cannot be blamed for the drug policy; lots of other things though.

With the gambling issue, they have full and utter control. They are coming down hard, as they should. Credit where it is due.

[CHAMP 347]

Didnt Ward bet against his team.

No, he backed the Dees to beat Freo TWICE.

[Dee*ceiving 1,674]

I tend to agree that the gamblers have been smashed in the chops while the drug users (recreational for the sake of argument) have been deemed worthy of several chances. The rules are definitely contradictory and something the players association need to address.

On a more serious and potentially sad note. Despite what people may think of Daniel Ward football is his career and his method of feeding his family and paying his bills. I have no doubt he is ashamed of his problem and regrets the damage it has caused however 12 weeks on the sidelines is almost certain to kill his career as a senior footballer.

Being a keen MFC supporter I would hope that a player who hasn't played senior football for 12 weeks would find it hard to make a team running into a finals campaign. The AFL needs to consider their sanction giving thought to the fact that they are almost certainly putting paid to the mans job and career. A job he will need now more than ever to get his life back on track both mentally and financially

[mordja 187]

following yet another weak as p!ss handling of those bogans over in the west yesterday/today, a suspension for betting on your own team would be hard to stomach.

[WonnaJurah 5]

i think the Kerr got away easily with what he did , they afl should of stepped in for a suspension becuase you cant have high profile players do that and only get a fine ,im sure the kids that want to grow to be the next Kerr, Cousins would be ashamed of there actions i know i would

[iw_s 0]

There seems to be some belief that "recreational" drug use is not illegal.

Possession of an prohibited drug (such as the ones people like to describe as "recreational") in even small quantities is an offence. It doesn't matter if we are talking marijuana, ecstasy (http://www.findlaw.com.au/article/14674.htm) or cocaine - it's ILLEGAL. In most states posession for personal use could lead to a criminal conviction plus a penalty (http://aussielegal.aol.com.au/informationoutline.asp?nocache=1&SubTopicDetailsID=953). or in some states, a good behaviour bond and counselling (such as the CREDIT program). (For Victoria, see http://www.liv.asn.au/public/legalinfo/cri...rime-Drugs.html )

The players involved in the drug scandal could have, by definition of the test results, possibly exposed themselves to criminal prosecution had they been caught in possession of the substance.

[wisedog 352]

Now they're all aware of the repercussions, what's to stop a player from getting someone else to place their bets, even if they are betting against their team? It's impossible to police. So it will always be a matter of integrity.

[wisedog 352]

That being said, it would take a player with a fairly big ego to be so certain that the result hinged on their performance. I doubt even Daniel Ward holds himself in that regard.

[Jarka 767]

I hope the club stands by Ward through this difficult time, after everything he has been through it would be sad to see him be 'dumped' by the club.

In saying that however, it was an incredibly stupid thing to do, all the players are aware that they shouldn't gamble on games, but to do so in such an obvious manner is unforgiveable. How easy would it be to get a mate to place the bet instead?!

The other issue with the drugs is completely irrelevent, the players assoc and the AFL have an agreement to do out of season testing, which is much more testing than most other sporting leagues in the world do. The agreement depended on the players be protected and given a chance to rehabilitate, it's such a positive outcome between the AFL and the players it has to continue.

[Jaded No More 68,920]

following yet another weak as p!ss handling of those bogans over in the west yesterday/today, a suspension for betting on your own team would be hard to stomach.

Haven't you heard? West Coast players are above the law.

[Redleg 40,926]

Haven't you heard? West Coast players are above the law.

Actually they are not.

They are just treated (punished) lightly by it, as well as by their club and the AFL.

[occo 2]

Whats done is done. He made a bad mistake and needs to live with it...i hope its not the end of ward but i cant see him spending 12 weeks out and getting into the 22. Frawley will take his place asap or wornock

[Pepe Dee Pew 0]

If it were a couple of guns on gambling report the Kerr rule would apply. 2 weeks suspended and an apology for making it public!!!!

And the beauty of it the penalty decreases with each future transgression hehe