Headland's penalty- a way forward

[Total_Juddshanks]

I'm relieved and happy that Selwood was found not guilty, but I also think from his perspective not a lot has been solved- he almost needs a defamation action to get an apology and convince the wider footballing community how baseless some of the crap which has been hurled at him is.

The way this has panned out, Headland looks like an absolute idiot, but it's not a question of him going out and fabricating this wonderful story, its a question of him overreacting and getting his wires seriously crossed.

If the AFL is sensible, they'll forestall this by accepting Headland's provocation defence (on the basis of what he thought he heard) give him a lesser suspension and order that he undergo mediation with Selwood.

If those two could sit down, talk it through, and come to a consensus about what was said, or at least both agree there'd been a misunderstanding, that would be the best potential outcome for everyone-

- Headland would get lesser suspension, forestall an expensive court case and get this sorted out once and for all.

- Selwood would get a chance to conclusively clear his name once and for all without going through the court process.

- The AFL will forestall a long, messy ugly media scrum which is going to rear its ugly head again in a huge way at the next derby.

They should have been in mediation straight after the derby, if the AFL can convince Headland to swallow his pride and do that now, it'd be better than a lengthy suspension.

 

[Scal]

Mediation should have been the solution all along. It should never have gone to the tribunal...

 

[The Majestic]

It's just good to have it all finished and we can move on and get back to the footy and not worry about this stuff. Hopefully both he and Selwood will sit down and talk and work out how to move on without anything more being said or done to make this any worse.

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Mediation should have been the solution all along. It should never have gone to the tribunal...

agreed

it made things worse

I believe something was said - whether that was taken out of context or not we will never know because Selwood's guilt couldn't be proven rather than his innocence being proven (if that makes sense)

 

[bus24]

Should've gone to mediation beforehand. Its reported that Headland refused. Too late now Dessy. Adam will see you in court

 

[funkyfreo]

I don;t really see how Headland looks like an idiot out of all this any more than Selwood? Or how mediation would involve Des more than Selwood having to swallow their pride.

Mediation is not just having Des agree with Selwood's version you know.

But agreed with the rest.

 

[The Majestic]

Why should Selwood sit down with headcase. He has been defamed from day one by the media, headcase, his pig of a family, freo muppets etc. Personally I'd sue their collective arses off.

Selwood could sue him, but wouldn't he and the club want it all to die down and be forgotten? I am sure the AFL would, and I am sure Headland would want the fact he misheard something like this to forgotten, firstly Headland would need to say he was sorry for going over the top and for his comments.

I am not saying Selwood should, but it would be a good way to put this ugly incident behind us.

 

[TOA.]

Mediation should have been the solution all along. It should never have gone to the tribunal...

Agreed.

Its very unfortunate it got this far.

 

[pazza]

Of course mediation is what should have happened - and Des was right to refuse it, given the way he felt about the thing.

Perhaps if Selwood had have just apologised with a handshake after the game or something, that would have been even better. The tribunal is still determining the length of headland's sentence as we speak.

 

[Eagle87]

Mediation should have been the solution all along. It should never have gone to the tribunal...

Should've gone to mediation beforehand. Its reported that Headland refused. Too late now Dessy. Adam will see you in court

.... and there you have it!

It was the West Coast Eagles who proposed mediation. It was the West Coast Eagles through coach John Worsfold who stated that this matter should have been dealt with through mediation as far back as Sunday.

It was the Fremantle Dockers who instead formally lodged a complaint to the AFL and set the course for a tribunal hearing. It was the Fremantle Dockers through their player and his family let much vitriol and outright defamatory bile into the community (i.e. whatever happened, Selwood was NEVER a pedophile).

But, the Eagles are a basket case club?....... hmmm .....

 

[roostersgal4eva]

so do we know the verdict or not?

 

[jezza]

So is Peter Bell, president of the AFLPA, lying to the tribunal too?

ex-president. Joel Bowden is now pres.

 

[The Mongrel Punt]

I don;t really see how Headland looks like an idiot out of all this any more than Selwood?

You're not really trying, are you?

 

[funkyfreo]

You're not really trying, are you?

looks like I was pretty close. You tell me - who looks more stupid right now. A not guilty selwood, or a Des who is not guilty because of provocation by selwood?

 

[The Mongrel Punt]

looks like I was pretty close. You tell me - who looks more stupid right now. A not guilty selwood, or a Des who is not guilty because of provocation by selwood?

I think the AFL tribunal looks the most stupid.

They've cleared Selwood of making the comments, yet excused Headland on the grounds of being subjected to the comments.

Crazy stuff.

 

[Adpar]

I find it amazing to sit back and watch supporters of the respective clubs take what their player said as gospel and the other the dirty lying scum of the earth.

Truth is Adam Selwood knows what he said and what he meant.

Des Headland knows what he thought he heard and how he took it to mean.

There is a possibility Selwood said exactly what Headland thought he heard and meant it exactly how it was taken.

Selwood may have also have said something completely different and was meant to be taken completely differently to how Des took it.

Des Headland may be a complete liar to try to cover his ass.

Selwood may be a complete liar to cover his ass.

Only those two know how they truthfully interpreted what happened.

If every Man and his dog didnt give thier opinion on the gospel of the player they believe, either or both players wernt stubborn enough to sit down to mediation and the AFL used common sense and not put this through the tribunial this whole storm may have stayed in the teacup where it belonged.

 

[n4sir]

I think the AFL tribunal looks the most stupid.

They've cleared Selwood of making the comments, yet excused Headland on the grounds of being subjected to the comments.

Crazy stuff.

I think the the AFL and the two clubs both look pretty stupid - period.

As has been said here before (by myself among others) the first whiff the senior management at WC, Freo & the AFL got of this sordid mess they should have vigorously pursued an avenue of mediation and sorted it all out there. It's one thing to say that Headland mightn't have wanted to do it, or that West Coast said they made an initial approach - the fact is the powers that be didn't do enough to follow it up properly and this farce is the result.

The footy media are the only winners out of this situation, and the reputations of everyone else involved has been trawled through the mud for their entertainment. Does anyone else think the ***-for-tat sniping by WC & Freo at a professional level is frankly getting embarrassing - is there any nastier rivalry in the AFL at the moment?

 

[bfra]

I find it amazing to sit back and watch supporters of the respective clubs take what their player said as gospel and the other the dirty lying scum of the earth.

Truth is Adam Selwood knows what he said and what he meant.

Des Headland knows what he thought he heard and how he took it to mean.

There is a possibility Selwood said exactly what Headland thought he heard and meant it exactly how it was taken.

Selwood may have also have said something completely different and was meant to be taken completely differently to how Des took it.

Des Headland may be a complete liar to try to cover his ass.

Selwood may be a complete liar to cover his ass.

Only those two know how they truthfully interpreted what happened.

If every Man and his dog didnt give thier opinion on the gospel of the player they believe, either or both players wernt stubborn enough to sit down to mediation and the AFL used common sense and not put this through the tribunial this whole storm may have stayed in the teacup where it belonged.

And on the back of all that, the one thing that could be proven (striking) was given no suspension because of a ruling that says Selwood didn't do anything.

Are these guys good mates who have worked out the ultimate defense for Headlands charges???

I think Gehrig should have punched Harris a few more times, and then said he thought he heard Harris say something offensive.

Rivalry round is over, maybe we could re-name round 4 as the "I thought that was what he said" round and players can let ther punches fly.

 

[Scal]

I find it amazing to sit back and watch supporters of the respective clubs take what their player said as gospel and the other the dirty lying scum of the earth.

I didn't say a thing about this whole shenanigans until tonight. (I was treating it like the proverbial "wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole" thing)

And, you are right. There are two people who know what happened, at least from their own perspective. All these people calling Des a scum liar, or Selwood a Paedo, are either one-eyed supporters of their club (most likely) or hate the other club, or they're just plain silly. Same for those blindly defending their chosen player. I've read with interest most of the things said on bigfooty this week, and I can count on one hand, maybe two, the sensible posts. But, that's bigfooty...

From my perspective, it's seems that from the fallout of the hearing that Selwood definitely said something. Whether it was as reported we will never know. It did incense Des, who reacted with emotion at the time. I have thought about his reaction throughout the week. I have a 6 year old daughter, and I would definitely be angry, but I don't think I would try and smash the offender. However, I am not likely to be in the "heat of battle" like Des either. I think that contributed to his reaction. That said and done, I don't think he should have gotten off scott-free. A reduced penalty, yes. I am however glad that Selwood got off, as I don't think he meant the comments (whatever they were) to have the affect they did.

Everyone should just get over it and move on now. There will no doubt be WCE supporters that go on labelling Des a lying thug and Freo supporters labelling Selwood a lying Paedo, but I for one am completely over it... it's all gone beyond a joke. Especially all this calling for Selwood to sue... get a grip, you lot.

And that is the AFL's fault for even letting it go to the tribunal and drag out for days. They should have had mediation (ie, made them do it), settled their differences and moved on. And for those that want to keep digging at Freo and Des for not wanting mediation, get over it. They were within their rights to carry it like they did. Des was obviously emotionally affected by it as he was still angry and upset tonight. He's not that good an actor...

Meh, rant over, sorry for the long post. You probably all stopped reading after the first paragraph anyway.

 

[TurboHead]

I think Gehrig should have punched Harris a few more times, and then said he thought he heard Harris say something offensive.

Gehrig - "He pushed me over so I hit him.... he then went Ooofff - oi you ****er...... I was deeply offended so I hit him again... and again... and again..."

Tribunal - "Guilty - 0 weeks and heres a lolly pop..."

 

[Crow-mo]

I'm relieved and happy that Selwood was found not guilty, but I also think from his perspective not a lot has been solved- he almost needs a defamation action to get an apology and convince the wider footballing community how baseless some of the crap which has been hurled at him is.

except you have have NFI if this is true or not, and you're a fool if you think do.

he should take a defamation action against headland, and when it can't be proven, he can pay Des's costs too.

great idea