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

[Redford]

Getting away from whether it did or did not happen, at the very least, the SBS documentary was irresponsible journalism.

To bring someone on with a hidden identity and for them to make allegations about an incident that occurred over 5 years ago involving an AFL player but was never reported to police is irresponsible of SBS's behalf.

I can understand why the AFL is strongly pursuing further info. from SBS because effectively, the AFL could consider that SBS has slandered/tarnished the AFL without providing any direct proof of the incident occuring. I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this one because the AFL will either want to a) sort this out with the player/club if the allegations can be proven to be true, or b) take action against SBS if the allegations can not be substantiated.

As for Montagna and Milne, boy given the details that are now coming to the surface, this is going to be very messy. Sounds like the key will be the second woman involved and what evidence she provides in relation to the other one's claims.

All of it is very disturbing.

 

[Ridley]

Everyone must remember that these guys are innocent until proven guilty. If they are found guilty then they will be dealt with accordingly and most likely spend time in jail. However, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that there are scurrilous people out there who target footballers due to their celebrity for their own gain, financial or otherwise.

And I agree with Redford, there has to be questions raised over the SBS interview with the anonymous woman who refuses to lay charges.

Sexual assault in any circumstances is tragic and unforgiveable. But at the same time we must allow the police to thoroughly investigate the allegations to arrive at the truth. False accusations may have an extremely damaging effect on someone's life as well.

 

[Redford]

Excellent post Ridley - even if you do drive a Ford and wear shorts that are too tight.

 

[feisty tige]

I know this is a bad thing, but surely the Saints could have been on just page 1 and the fellas who had victory in the Pura Cup could have at least been on the back page, I mean 13 years since a home victory! I think it is just wrong. My Opinion.

 

[Rosy]

Same yesterday feisty. Ronnie Burns drink driving had the entire back page and you had to go in several pages to read about Matty Elliott's run record.

 

[MC24]

Sport, in general, is the loser when these allegations come to light.

Let's see what comes out of all this.

I don’t know that anyone needs to lose at all. A body such as the AFL can be a catalyst to set or uphold social standards, etc. in the general community.

When such things happen in the community, people take a fleeting interest and then forget about it.

By these events happening in such a high profile sport, it brings these things to the attention of a lot more people, for a lot longer. And because of the emotional attachment people have to Clubs and players, it can have more of an impact.

The people further north are no doubt taking great delight in all of this, but the way they have handled it has been anything less than responsible and it is that type of attitude that can affect or impact on their wider community.

The way St. Kilda and the AFL has handled it is very responsible. And I think their handling of the situation can have a positive affect and impact on our community.

It would be naïve to think that these things won’t continue to happen, but I believe the way they are handled is what is most important in all of this.

 

[Al Bundy]

If the Saints boys are found innocent, the damage is already done. People will still have it in their mind. IF they are found innocent I hope they turn it around bigtime onto the girl that made the allegation (IF FALSE).

If True though they should face the full force of the law. No one is above the law & I hope the truth provails here & the papers actual report this one carefully & not smut angled reporting just to sell papers.

 

[MC24]

Al, both parties have something to answer for. They each put themselves in a situation they didn’t need to and therefore need to take responsibility for their actions. People can disagree if they like, but from what has been said,, there is no innocent party in this. Perhaps just naive.

 

[Rampaging_Richo]

I love the fact that the Saints heirarchy has basically labelled the 2 girls sluts. For the element in a rape or sexual assualt case which goes against the girl is the history of promiscrurity (may be spelt wrong) This would obviously be on legal advise.

A friend of mine was a juror on a rape case, and he said the defense barrister made her out to be the biggest *smile* that ever walked the earth and that she loved every minute of the alleged assault. Pretty sick stuff.

Just because a girl calls you to go out for a drink and a roll in the hay afterwards is not an open invitation to start an orgy or force a girl to engage in something she is not comfortable with.

I hope the girl making the claim is serious and not just gold digging, because if she is not, it will be virtually impossible to claim an AFL player has sexually assaulted a women ever again. That would be a sad state of affairs..

 

[WildTiger]

I heard a whisper today that the alleged 2 girls in the centre of the Saints scandal are pretty well known around the club by all the players if you get my drift. Kinda like "groupies" I guess.

Still no means no and that makes no exception, I still think it all sounds a little suss so id await the outcome and let both parties have their say before labelling anyone guilty

 

[frickenel]

I heard a whisper today that the alleged 2 girls in the centre of the Saints scandal are pretty well known around the club by all the players if you get my drift. Kinda like "groupies" I guess.

Still  no means no and that makes no exception, I still think it all sounds a little suss so id await the outcome and let both parties have their say before labelling anyone guilty

The problem with this whisper is that IF they are groupies then why would they make up a story that would hurt their club this badly?? The club gets dragged through the mud along with 2 players, one who'd just about lead their goalkicking this year.

That would be a strange thing for a StKilda groupie to do!!

Example:Wouldn't it be better for them to go to say the Richmond family day, pick up some footballers and drag THAT club through the mud for the same gains.

 

[WildTiger]

quote from frickenhel
"The problem with this whisper is that IF they are groupies then why would they make up a story that would hurt their club this badly?? The club gets dragged through the mud along with 2 players, one who'd just about lead their goalkicking this year"

Perhaps they dont follow football at all, just footballers, and sadly in this day and age people will go to extraordinary lengths to get their 2 mins of fame or to make an easy dollar.

by all means not saying that is the case here but I guess time will tell

 

[Walster]

Did anyone notice that Demetriou virtually accused them of being guilty by saying that they "slipped between the cracks". If these blokes ARE innocent they should definately being sueing his shiny fat arse. 8)

 

[jackstar]

About being innocent till proving guilty. Wasnt Shane Warne innocent, well thats whats everyone was saying at the time, get the drift

 

[Rosy]

Groupies, randy footballers etc raise moral questions that we'd all have varying opinions on without any of us being wrong or right.

The issue that has been raised that can have no possible justification is personal assault.

It's not the act that should be judged but the level of consent or lack thereof.

Football being an elite sport brings more profile to this issue but it's very relevant in every day life too and it's in everybodies interests for it to be dealt with properly.

I hope this is sorted out quickly and honestly and there are no payouts involved.

 

[Hanno]

Did anyone notice that Demetriou virtually accused them of being guilty by saying that they "slipped between the cracks".

Maybe he was referring to the alleged act...

No, bad joke. Bad Hanno!

 

[Rampaging_Richo]

I heard a whisper today that the alleged 2 girls in the centre of the Saints scandal are pretty well known around the club by all the players if you get my drift. Kinda like "groupies" I guess.

Still  no means no and that makes no exception, I still think it all sounds a little suss so id await the outcome and let both parties have their say before labelling anyone guilty

I would have no doubt they are full on groupies who may well have been "special friends" of a few of the boys.

The footy club that I played for in the VAFA had a few notorious groupies and we were just a little old C grade club. I can imagine what it is like at an AFL club.

But that said, just because a girl is a groupie doesn't give anybody the right to carry on with a whole lot of nonsense when the lights go out.

 

[Walster]

I know I will get hit hard for this but I am getting tired of all this garbage and touchie touchie feel good moral standards. The talk of a girl or woman being able to go anywhere or with anyone without fear is all very well in a perfect world. But in a perfect world we would be able to walk the back-streets of Kings Cross at 2 o'clock in the morning. We dont because we know the risks. A woman going back to a mans house that she doesnt know well, or at all, is the same thing. That is the real world. Guilty or not if both sides stick to the story then mathematically it breaks down to the lowest common denominator. One word against one word. This is the risk in the real world. As no charges were laid immediately it is safe to assume there was no common assault so it goes back to who is telling the truth. If that is the case then no verdict can ever be given against these blokes, but their name will be tarnished for life anyway. These are just the facts of life right or wrong!

 

[FightingFury]

[quote author=Rampaging Richo

The footy club that I played for in the VAFA had a few notorious groupies and we were just a little old C grade club. 

Which club did you play for RR??, lve been playing in the Ammos since 87!

 

[frickenel]

i remember being in a pub where a woman's netball team was celebrating a victory.

I went home with one of them and the next thing i know they were all using me as a sex object over and over................................. until i woke up to find that my Labrador was licking my face!! ;D

Seriously, one refreshing thing about this has been the open manner in which the club is dealing with the allegations - unlike the Canterbury Bulldogs who have helped to see that due process was hindered at every turn. THAT club should be banned from their league.

As for the rest of their squad outside the six players involved - how can they stay silent. One wonders if any of them have sisters, wives, girlfriends etc.