The Serve

The Spanish inquisition the culpable players have been subjected to is undeniably grossly misplaced, though the fact remains they are idiots, rusting on the stereotype of the blockhead footballer. David Hale, Daniel Ward and Keiren Jack all placed their bets on Sportstab through their accounts. Forgetting the miniscule monetary figure, they could have just walked into a branch and remained a mystery. Their tiny bets further trivializing this so called disgrace. But they did break rules. There is no clause for a wager as little as $10, nor should there be. A bet is a bet. They only have themselves to blame for any retribution coming, no matter how unreasonable the league may be.

The popular notion in the media has been to compare the outing of these players with the seemingly painstaking desperation to retain anonymity for drug users. A fair link, although it is important to note that the ‘three strikes then outed’ rule refers to those players guilty of recreational use, therefore not cheating. A harm unto themselves, not the game.

Perhaps a more feasible association would be the events surrounding the alleged sexual misconduct of two St.Kilda players in 2004. Up north there was the ongoing circus of the Bulldogs rugby league club, with its similar allegations taking off just weeks prior. That club would steadfastly remain tightlipped, unsatisfactory to a media and a public with a thirst for a scapegoat. The Saints, undoubtedly at the mercy of the governing body, somewhat valiantly came forward to clear the air. The circumstances around the outing were dubious, but they were valiant nonetheless. At the time, St.Kilda was seen as positive, The AFL transparent compared to the cloak and dagger of their northern neighbours. The wash up wasn’t so kind. Both cases were thrown out, yet Steven Milne and Leigh Montagna will be forever tarred. A tag they carry thanks to a club or a body which didn’t want a potential public relations snafu. Amongst local football codes, the AFL does like to be a trendsetter in severe matters. Usually admirable, however their eagerness to appear proactive has hurt them. Being remembered for placing $10 bet is not exactly the life ruining stuff of having ones sexual behaviour questioned, but these players could have done without the label of being part of a ‘betting scandal’. A label they will no doubt wear for years.

As for the AFL, are they not hypocritical in accepting money from gambling organizations, such as Betfair and the TAB? Whilst they will argue that the bookmakers were making money off the games anyway - and as such the league should have a piece of that profit given it’s their own intellectual property - they are endorsing the activity. Dangerous territory.

The league could not have treated this as a more serious matter. The clubs of the players came forward quickly, yet the league is letting them twist in the wind. No significant public comments, no hint of a conclusion, only a resolute ‘the investigations are continuing’. A gambling scandal with no suggestion of match fixing. It could have been so much worse. Ward is the only one of the four to have wagered on a game involving his team. Twice he bet for the Demons, twice they lost. Ward is not only a punter, he’s a bad punter.

The league got out of it easy, so they should hurry up, make an example of the pocket money punters and get on with it.