SBS AFL Story and St Kilda players sexual assault allegations [Merged]

[tassiedave]

Just heard on local radio that a story will be aired on SBS tonight (or tomorrow night), forget name of program, regarding AFL players involved in alleged sexual assault. 5 players apparently, 1 high profile according to the news report. I am not looking to start a rumour spreading thread or the like, so if you have nothing of substance to contribute, please don't. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

 

[MC24]

Heard the same thing on SEN this morning tassiedave.

Apparently it's on tonight at 7.30pm.

 

[bigwow]

The show is 'Insight' and airs at 7.30pm.

Hope to christ it's not Richmond player involved.

 

[Rosy]

One AFL player mentioned, not 5. I hope this is sorted out but I'm always a bit sceptical of people making claims several years after an alleged attack.

AFL player rape claim
Mike Sheahan
16mar04

A WOMAN has implicated a current and prominent AFL player in an alleged pack rape.

The woman's claim will be aired on SBS's Insight program tonight.
The AFL player is alleged to have been part of a group of five who raped the woman a few years ago.

The claim will come during a forum on the issue of the sexual culture among players in clubs in Australia's major football codes.

The woman, whose identity will be protected, says she was raped, laughed at and threatened with a bashing to keep her quiet.

She did not go to the police.

She said she was befriended by a man who, after a few months, invited her to a popular venue, believed to be in Melbourne.

He allegedly suggested they leave a crowded area at the venue to move to a private room, where they were joined soon after by four others.

"One was a prominent AFL footballer that I'd obviously seen on the television and the other four -- sorry, the other three -- I recognised as friends of his (the man she knew), although I'd never met any of them before."

She said the AFL player's accomplices played football in the local league. She said she was raped by all the men despite her pleas.

The claim links the AFL with rugby league, which has been rocked by sexual assault allegations against several Canterbury Bulldogs' players and then two Melbourne Storm players.

Insight executive producer Mark Maley said from Sydney last night the AFL had declined an invitation to join a panel of 20 for tonight's discussion.

He said the purpose of the exercise was to determine whether there was an endemic problem within the football codes with attitudes towards women.


http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,8977510%5E662,00.html

 

[FightingFury]

I was told a few years ago by a teamate of mine who worked for one of the highest profile player agents about two separate incidents.
One player was from a melbourne club, the other from a northern club.
Neither player currently is involved at AFL level now,so it cant be either of these two

 

[jayfox]

struggletown, did the northern one you are talking about also play for an SA team. If that is so then I believe I know who it is as I have heard a story and currntly play against that player.

 

[bigwow]

If the guy you are talking about played in Sydney, Brisbane & Adelaide, and had a weird haircut, I have heard similar rumours, though he is no longer in the AFL.

 

[jb03]

Heard a rumour it was one of the Burgoyne brothers - couple of years back, with mates in a park.

Only a rumour though.

 

[Harry]

I don't think its wise starting or spreading such rumours on a public message board.

 

[Rosy]

Agree with Harry. Please don't name names. It's not only a legal threat, it's also not nice to sully anybody's name with speculation.

 

[Hanno]

You beat me to it, Harry.

The wrong statement couldnot only result in trouble for the poster, but could also get Rosy in strife.

By all means, talk about the issue and any allegaions aired in the press, but don't speculate too much, and certainly don't float any rumours of your own.

 

[kb7882]

The woman, whose identity will be protected, says she was raped, laughed at and threatened with a bashing to keep her quiet.

She did not go to the police.

This disturbs me somewhat.

If true, no doubt she had her reasons for not saying anything, but, having made that decision, I don't believe it is fair now to retain her anonymity without making a full report to the police.

If the allegations are true, it is a shocking crime and the player(s) should be prosecuted.

 

[Hanno]

Couldn't agree more, Hartbalme.

Anyone who engages in this kind of cowarly conduct (and I'm talking about rapists here, not the poor victim) should be prosectued to the full extent of the law. I'm also a fan of chemical sterilisation in some instances.

I can emphathise with the poor woman's decision not to come forward earlier, though I don't pretend to understand the full impact of this horrible crime - even though I have counselled several victims of rape and like crimes in the past.

I don't care someone may think they are, sportsman, public official, media personality or Joe Blow from Reservior, there are no justifications for treatment others in such a callous, cowardly manner.

Some perpetrators need counselling, some need locking up,some (as I said) need to be sterilised, and a few need all of the above.

If this story is true (and unfortunately some "victims" turn out to be people on a misguided search for fame - or infamy) the Police need to be involved.

 

[CanbTiger]

Very disappointed with the SBS over this program- I thought they were an intelligent broadcaster and not purveyors of smut and sensationalism like Rupert Murdoch.

What right have they to suggest the AFL is responsible for this ALLEGED assault without further information?

Based on the report, the only information SBS has is that a woman was raped and one of her alleged attackers was an AFL player. I see no reason to start accusing the AFL of something on that basis alone. If a council employee allegedly raped a young woman would we instantly accuse the Council of wrongdoing without further information?

Of course not- so why instantly accuse the AFL of wrongdoing in this case?

Has there been research suggesting the incidence of sexual assault allegations involving AFL players is greater than the incidence of such allegations in the general population?

I’m aware of men accused of sexual assault at one time or another and I’m not convinced the level of allegations against AFL players are higher than among the general population.

It cannot be doubted the AFL MAY be guilty of encouraging sexual assault if it actively smothers such allegations, bribes victims not to speak and surreptitiously blacklists AFL players that assist a police investigation into alleged rape by another player.

Such behaviour is thought to have been common in the NRL and explains why that League is the subject of criticism today.

Still, without further evidence the AFL has committed such acts of encouragement, I think it wrong to impugn the Code merely because one or even a few AFL players have allegedly participated in a sexual assault.

 

[FightingFury]

Channel ten have just reported it is 2 St Kilda players being investigated on rape claims from after their wizz cup win

 

[FightingFury]

Joe Blow from Reservior, there are no justifications for treatment others in such a callous, cowardly manner.
If this story is true (and unfortunately some "victims" turn out to be people on a misguided search for fame - or infamy) the Police need to be involved. 

Joe from Reservior is consulting his lawyers Hanno.....

 

[RazorBoy]

Channel ten have just reported it is 2 St Kilda players  being investigated on rape claims from after their wizz cup win

This is a separate incident to the SBS story, and doesnt involve the same player.

If the claims against the St Kilda players are true, they would have to be stupid after all the bad publicity over the rugby incidents.



New football sex assault claim
By staff writers
16Mar04

POLICE are investigating an allegation of sexual assault believed to have been made against two St Kilda Australian rules footballers.

The alleged assault happened yesterday and was reported to police in Brighton.
An SBS current affairs program to be broadcast tonight will link AFL players to an alleged pack rape five years ago.

The alleged incident yesterday is not connected.

A Victorian police spokeswoman said today detectives were investigating allegations of sexual assault against two men. She could not provide further details.

St Kilda club officials have called a press conference for 4pm today.

More to come ...

This report appears on NEWS.com.au.

 

[CanbTiger]

IDIOT PLAYERS!!

Why don't they put their flaming wicks back in the underpants & for chrissakes leave it there!!

Don't they realise it will be a free-for-all for anyone willing to cause a fuss after all the publicity from the league cases!?.

Fair dinkum, how bloody naive and stupid can some blokes be.

 

[Richos_girl_]

I can't believe this. This is just horrible. The NRL thing was bad enough but naively I didnt think this would ever happen in the AFL. I certainly hope the sponsors of the clubs stand firm.
Anyway, "innocent until proven guilty" I suppose.

 

[CanbTiger]

I am so *modified* FURIOUS at this news it’s not funny!

Furious because I can almost hear every rugby league administrator throughout the country (Murdoch bum chums all!) breaking into beaming smiles upon learning this information. 

What a wonderful way to take the attention off rugby league and give that Code an opportunity to fling come of the copious amounts of filth clinging to it at the AFL.

“Oh look… it’s not just US that has sex problems….look at the AFL”….

This, after a week when the AFL enjoyed some excellent coverage in the northern States on this very issue.

I’ve heard at least three programs discuss how well the AFL has done on reducing sexual assault incidents involving its players relative to the NRL. There was even talk the AFL could pass on some tips to the NRL on this aspect of their game- LOL!.

Now, thanks to two positive dickheads from St Kilda, the AFL will have egg all over it’s face for, as we know, media organizations always seem to blame the Code whenever these incidents occur.

Further, NRL bosses have a convenient means to deter media attention from their own pathetic backyard onto the AFL.

Very, very good work by two insignificant pieces of Saint sh!t imo