Cousins vs Pratt

[dmc333]

If WCE have to lose picks over Cousins, should Carlton be put on immediate notice over Pratt?

WCE has a history of bad behavior and Carlton a history of illegally dealing with the system.

Strangely, both problems reared their heads yesterday, in one way or another.

Visy claimed they had a "poor appreciation of the complexities and application of the various provisions" essentially blaming their rorts (with Amcor) on ignorance, when they used of pre-paid mobile phones that could not be traced and held meetings in private homes, motel rooms and suburban parks.

It seems Pratt has no regard for the laws of governance, so should the AFL should be worried? And is it only fair, if they take a stick to WCE over Cousins, should they immediately show that bloody stick to Pratt and Carlton? Because to me, a threat to the integrity and fairness of the competition is more worrying than a few pretty boys from the WCE pretending to be rock stars.

 

[froars]

What has Pratt and Visy got to do with the AFL?

When the class action is launched, Pratt will have more worries than what the AFL think of him.

 

[mrbehemoth]

They should probably ban everyone in case they do something.

 

[ridethewind]

What has Pratt and Visy got to do with the AFL?

What does Ben Cousins taking a recreational drug have to do with the AFL?

disrepute is disrepute.. what's good for the goose is good for the gander

 

[froars]

What does Ben Cousins taking a recreational drug have to do with the AFL?

disrepute is disrepute.. what's good for the goose is good for the gander

Well, get rid of Didak and all the ***** at your joint lol

 

[Suspense]

Ben Cousins is stupid man.
Dick Pratt is unethical slimebag.

Ben Cousins' silly decisions impact predominantly on his own life.
Dick Pratt steals from consumers then gives a penny of it to charities so the muppets will continue cheering him on.

Ben Cousins kicks a football around.
Dick Pratt is the President of the Carlton Football Club.

If anyone should be kicked out of anywhere, it is Dick Pratt. The only reason more people are on Cousins' case is because he is a supposed role model. Well, I'm with Charles Barkley on this one...

 

[JeffDunne]

Richard Pratt, like John Elliott, Ian Collins, Wes Lofts, Stephen Kernahan, etc. , should have been banned from the game for his involvement in salary cap rorting in the 90's.

Not to mention being involved in a group that attempted to form a break-away league.

But when it comes to cheating in the AFL and your penalty, it really depends what sort of cheat you are.

Salary cap cheats don't get punished - the club does.

Drug cheats - they get banned from the game, club gets nothing.

 

[4#Didak#4]

It is interesting that these 2 issues raised their head at the same time. Two AFL identities being charged with offenses on the same day. So the comparisons begin.

Cousins looks certain to be delisted from the Eagles or banned by the AFL, yet officially its his first chargeable drug offence (although lots of associated behaviour). Based on that Pratt too should be dealt with the same way by the AFL. Personally what Pratt is involved in is 50 times bigger than what Cousins is - but most people see white collar crime as a lesser offence (drugs are bad, but ripping off millions of people is not so bad??).

The AFL needs to define its rules and draw a line as to what they accept in the sport and what they are going to take action on. If that means what happens in someones personal/business life is not AFL business then leave it alone. If they believe getting someone being charged & convicted(this would have to be a minimum as it must be proven) is against AFL interests then so be it take action - just make it consistent. The whole bringing the game into disrepute should be avoided as it can be interpreted anyway they like.

Personally it should be left for teh clubs to deal with, their club rules & constition should be in place and agreed with the AFL. If someone braches the club rules the club should act, if they do not act on their rules the AFL can take action against the club. Put a process in place to deal with this stuff. The WC Footy Club should have had club rules in place (I am sure they do) to say this behavior will not be tolerated and he will be dismissed on that basis. All clubs should have in their constitution that anyone who has been involved in illegal activities shouldnt be on the board (this is common in most companies) - then act according to the constitution, even if this means Pratt who has been good for the club has to go (Cousins has been good for WC). These processes protect the club & the AFL form long term damage from unsavoury individuals. Unfortunately the AFL is still in amateur land in this area.

 

[Elseya]

DICK

If WCE have to lose picks over Cousins, should Carlton be put on immediate notice over Pratt?

WCE has a history of bad behavior and Carlton a history of illegally dealing with the system.

Strangely, both problems reared their heads yesterday, in one way or another.

Visy claimed they had a "poor appreciation of the complexities and application of the various provisions" essentially blaming their rorts (with Amcor) on ignorance, when they used of pre-paid mobile phones that could not be traced and held meetings in private homes, motel rooms and suburban parks.

It seems Pratt has no regard for the laws of governance, so should the AFL should be worried? And is it only fair, if they take a stick to WCE over Cousins, should they immediately show that bloody stick to Pratt and Carlton? Because to me, a threat to the integrity and fairness of the competition is more worrying than a few pretty boys from the WCE pretending to be rock stars.

 

[Silvagnis]

Richard Pratt, like John Elliott, Ian Collins, Wes Lofts, Stephen Kernahan, etc. , should have been banned from the game for his involvement in salary cap rorting in the 90's.

So you're going to ban a legend like Kernahan from the game?

Should players who took money outside the cap be banned from working as a coach?

Not to mention being involved in a group that attempted to form a break-away league.

What does this have to do with Cousins vs Pratt?

But when it comes to cheating in the AFL and your penalty, it really depends what sort of cheat you are.

Salary cap cheats don't get punished - the club does.

What about clubs that pay 2 cents in the dollar and left people high and dry?

Shouldn't they re-pay the money they owe players and other clubs when the're flush with money?

Clubs that don't meet their debts are the biggest cheats.

 

[Silvagnis]

If WCE have to lose picks over Cousins, should Carlton be put on immediate notice over Pratt?

What have Carlton done?

WCE has a history of bad behavior and Carlton a history of illegally dealing with the system.

I didn't know the salary cap offences were a case of breaking the law.

It seems Pratt has no regard for the laws of governance, so should the AFL should be worried? And is it only fair, if they take a stick to WCE over Cousins, should they immediately show that bloody stick to Pratt and Carlton?

Dope.

 

[dynamite_kid]

What have Carlton done?

Hired Richard Pratt

 

[blackus]

If Cuz was dealing then he should be hit with the full weight of the law. But the only person he is really hurting is himself and family. Pratt has ripped you and me off at the supermarket counter by his conduct. No comparison really.

 

[SA Blue]

Richard Pratt, like John Elliott, Ian Collins, Wes Lofts, Stephen Kernahan, etc. , should have been banned from the game for his involvement in salary cap rorting in the 90's.

Not to mention being involved in a group that attempted to form a break-away league.

But when it comes to cheating in the AFL and your penalty, it really depends what sort of cheat you are.

Salary cap cheats don't get punished - the club does.

Drug cheats - they get banned from the game, club gets nothing.

I assume you would have banned Essendon and Melbourne officials. Did Sheedy know about Essendon cheating? Should he be stripped of his Amabassodor role?

Idiot.

 

[Sticks1977]

Not to mention being involved in a group that attempted to form a break-away league.

Funnily enough the VFL many years ago (before the renamed AFL) was formed in 1897 as a 'break-away league' so not really the first time this sort of thing has been attempted!

 

[walhawk]

Pratt deserves should go to jail

Cousins should pack it in and head to a beach somewhere in Central America.

 

[ridethewind]

Well, get rid of Didak and all the ***** at your joint lol

You're whole team would be up for criminal impersonation of footballers

 

[bluechucky]

You're whole team would be up for criminal impersonation of footballers

And collingwood should be up for false advertising because you guys think "the premiership is a cakewalk"

Gee there are some dumb people on this site.

 

[dmc333]

DICK

Such a cryptic post. So please, which is it?

 

[ridethewind]

And collingwood should be up for false advertising because you guys think "the premiership is a cakewalk"

Gee there are some dumb people on this site.

There are also cowardly people that are too scared to list their club

 

[Blues_Man]

Pratt deserves should go to jail

Cousins should pack it in and head to a beach somewhere in Central America.

No i think cousins will get picked up by the hawks in the psd and made captain..after all it's a perfect fit

 

[AndyLucimitis]

Jeff Kennett did more damage to this state than anything Dick Pratt has done and he is President of Hawthorn.

Can't believe we have a guy like Cousins going into meltdown before our eyes and you guys want to turn this into another 'bash Carlton' opportunity.

In you want to add some balance to the argument:

- How in anyway do the dealings at Visy have anything to do with football.

- While you are condemming Dick Pratt about ripping people off you may want to consider that he is probably Australia's largest philanthropist and supporter of charities (and yes I get the joke about Carlton also being a charity). By the way I do believe Visy should get the $40 Mil fine - what they did was wrong.

 

[Bee Vee]

Hired Richard Pratt

Hired Richard Pratt?

What role has he been "hired" to fulfill?
Richard Pratt is a member of the Carlton board. Nobody "hired" him!

The same as Christopher Skase was a member of Brisbanes board.
The same as Alan Bond who was a member of Richmonds board.
The same as Brad Cooper who was a member of Collingwoods board etc etc etc.

Need I go on?
I'm sure every club has players, sponsors or board members who have committed acts far worse than Richard Pratt in relative terms.

Get over it.

 

[blackus]

Jeff Kennett did more damage to this state than anything Dick Pratt has done and he is President of Hawthorn.

Can't believe we have a guy like Cousins going into meltdown before our eyes and you guys want to turn this into another 'bash Carlton' opportunity.

In you want to add some balance to the argument:

1. How in anyway do the dealings at Visy have anything to do with football.

2. While you are condemming Dick Pratt about ripping people off you may want to consider that he is probably Australia's largest philanthropist and supporter of charities (and yes I get the joke about Carlton also being a charity). By the way I do believe Visy should get the $40 Mil fine - what they did was wrong.

1. Exactley. How do the "dealings" of Cousins have anything to do with football? The AFL and WC cannot live in Cousins back pocket 24/7 watching his every move. Be a few civil rights types up in arms about that (and rightly so).

2. Whilst Cousins is a fool he is basically a decent guy. He has done a hell of a lot for charities as well.

Pratt has basically stolen from us all - including Carlton supporters. Cousins misdeameanours haven't impacted me as far as i can tell.

 

[Suspense]

While you are condemming Dick Pratt about ripping people off you may want to consider that he is probably Australia's largest philanthropist and supporter of charities (and yes I get the joke about Carlton also being a charity). By the way I do believe Visy should get the $40 Mil fine - what they did was wrong.

Yeah, but he's givin' away mah monee!