Heat on AFL, Ben Holland, Brendan Fevola over wild behaviour

[Aphrodite]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24285186-661,00.html

THE AFL is under pressure to ban Mad Mondays after another drunken disgrace left a footballer in trouble.

Melbourne forward Ben Holland was allegedly injured after a scuffle broke out when he tried to help teammate Nathan Carroll into a taxi.

The alleged incident outside St Kilda's Barkly Hotel early yesterday followed a long drinking session known as Mad Monday to mark the end of the footy season.

It is believed Holland needed medical treatment.

Melbourne Football Club is investigating the incident, which follows anger over the shocking antics of Carlton star Brendan Fevola.

Premier John Brumby lashed the Blues forward who paraded outside a city bar in a nightie with a sex toy protruding from his pants.

Mr Brumby condemned the Mad Monday disgrace as a very poor example to the community.

"The (players') behaviour is inappropriate," he said.

"You expect footballers to have a bit of fun and let off a bit of steam at the end of the year but you don't expect them to parade around Federation Square in public the way these footballers were.

"All of our elite athletes set an example to the rest of the community and this is a very poor example to set."

The AFL had no comment last night but police have not ruled out laying a charge of offensive behaviour against Fevola.

"It all depends on anyone making an official complaint," a spokesman said.

Australian Family Association spokeswoman Angela Conway said the AFL should take responsibility for the players' behaviour.

"The league continually markets the game to families and yet this sort of behaviour is regularly going on," she said.

"If children were to witness that in public they would be very confused about issues of sexuality and so on.

"The behaviour that was publicly displayed was utterly contemptuous of the feelings of women, and the needs of children and family."

Banning Mad Monday might not be on the AFL's agenda but league boss Andrew Demetriou yesterday indicated the finals series could be extended to nine or 10 teams when the new Gold Coast and Sydney clubs joined the competition.

Women's Forum Australia director Melinda Tankard Reist said player behaviour was a serious issue.

"Women have a right to walk freely in public spaces and not be sexually harassed," she said.

"It is quite intimidating. I hope the club is going to take the strongest possible action," she said.

Fevola was yesterday unashamed about his behaviour.

"It was Mad Monday. Are you embarrassed being here? Well you should be," he said to a reporter before escaping into a cab and slamming the door.

Melbourne football manager Chris Connolly said the club had been working on policy that not only limited players' alcohol intake, but encouraged them to support those who drank too much.

"It's that very situation that might have led to (the incident)," Connolly said.

"I think Ben was trying to encourage Nathan (to go home) when he may have had too much to drink."

Connolly said the club had tried to put an end to the Mad Monday binge sessions.

"My understanding is the behaviour of all the players was outstanding except . . . for the behaviour of Nathan."

Carroll was involved in bar fights in Greece and Germany last summer and was at one stage locked up in jail.

Melbourne suspended him for the first two pre-season matches for what it labelled a "lack of professionalism".

 

[Salt Lake Cities]

I have kids of my own and work with primary school children everyday. I can assure you that they aren't given nearly enough credit, they seem to 'grow up' alot quicker these days. Think they actually know more than i do about the birds and the bees sometimes

As for Fev sexually harassing females with his so called antics, i would of thought he might of had to actually confront a lady with his toy and do something seemingly untoward, be it physical or verbal. No evidence as yet to suggest this was the case. Just another excuse for people with no public profile to jump up on their soapbox and get their name in the paper.

Until something is actually proven very poor article IMO

 

[iRemember87]

OK so Ben Holland was helping Carroll (repeat offender who will be delisted) who cares both have no careers left.

As for Fev, he was wearing a nightie and carrying a fake penis and let me get this straight, people were offended??

So do these same people get offended when chicks go out on Hen's nights flashing fake penis's...considering most of the people making a fuss about are women i'm guessing they won't be attending their own or a friends hens night any more.

That'll make me happy for when i'm out on a Saturday night and a big bunch of women come in and take over....

I think this is only cause it was Fev.

Grow up people (women, sorry but its true and our Premier) its plastic (liek Fev's brain) and its people having fun....the general heckin'g public do it all the time.

 

[thylacine60]

I missed the wild stuff in the report. Anybody?

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

Still, the media loves giving anything for the CFC a drilling, over something as stupid as this.

I have worked with kids for over 6 years, and my god do they know more about penises and vaginas than parents seem to think!

Some people need to have a laugh and see it's a joke and get over it.

 

[tubes]

i think its gold.
top stuff lads. you have to celebrate at the end of a footy season.

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

This whole crap about women shoudl be able to walk freely in public without being sexually harrassed?? Let me get this clear. Did or did not Brendan Fevola sexually harrass someone? From what I've heard, all he did was shove a dildo down his pants and walk around with it out. I dont see how that is harrassment ??

Some women really annoy me when they imply things like that. I do not see how that is sexual harrassment at all. The media really have a joy ride slamming Fev. Would it be sexual harrassment if a Lauren jackson was walking around at an end of season muck up day with an apron with boobs?

I'm a female, got no problem with fev doing what he did. THink it's funny actually for a bunch of boys mucking around, glad to see they can have a laugh and act human and not take themselves too seriously. I'm sure a few of the girls on here will agree with me, that we tend to get up to far worse on Hens nights

Some people need to lighten up and have a laugh.

 

[big_bad_blue]

Could be allot worse than dressing up in a nightie with a fake penis... could piss on a shop window - he is improving he behaviour

all a bit of fun and no-one hurt. go the fev

 

[[ToTTi]]

This whole crap about women shoudl be able to walk freely in public without being sexually harrassed?? Let me get this clear. Did or did not Brendan Fevola sexually harrass someone? From what I've heard, all he did was shove a dildo down his pants and walk around with it out. I dont see how that is harrassment ??

Some women really annoy me when they imply things like that. I do not see how that is sexual harrassment at all. The media really have a joy ride slamming Fev. Would it be sexual harrassment if a Lauren jackson was walking around at an end of season muck up day with an apron with boobs?

I'm a female, got no problem with fev doing what he did. THink it's funny actually for a bunch of boys mucking around, glad to see they can have a laugh and act human and not take themselves too seriously. I'm sure a few of the girls on here will agree with me, that we tend to get up to far worse on Hens nights

Some people need to lighten up and have a laugh.

Exactly. Some people have nothing better to do than kick up a fuss. I was knocked back entry into the casino a few months back by a female security officer because my t-shirt had the outline of a naked girl touching herself. She said it made her very uncomfortable and was too inappropriate. I said you're just jealous 'coz you're fat and ugly and the chick on my t-shirt looks alright.

We've got a war brewing in Eastern Europe, a Hurricane about to wipe out another US town, AFL finals about to start, etc etc and the media focuses on this rubbish???

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

Exactly. Some people have nothing better to do than kick up a fuss. I was knocked back entry into the casino a few months back by a female security officer because my t-shirt had the outline of a naked girl touching herself. She said it made her very uncomfortable and was too inappropriate. I said you're just jealous 'coz you're fat and ugly and the chick on my t-shirt looks alright.

We've got a war brewing in Eastern Europe, a Hurricane about to wipe out another US town, AFL finals about to start, etc etc and the media focuses on this rubbish???

Oh pfft. Women like that annoy me. There is no problem with men walking around with tshirts that subtly suggest blow jobs, and other sexual puns about women pleasing them. That's fine and i bet men wearing tshirts like that get in to clubs no problem.

Fine double standard going on by the sounds of it.

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

We've got a war brewing in Eastern Europe, a Hurricane about to wipe out another US town, AFL finals about to start, etc etc and the media focuses on this rubbish???

Not to mentino 3 million homeless in Indian/Bangladesh due to the floods there.

 

[Bee]

Sexually harassed? Who was sexually harassing anyone?
Does that women even know what sex harassment is?
If she thinks it means someone walking around with a fake penis then she needs to ask for all hen's nights and bucks nights to be banned.

As for kids being confused. Hello!
Kids today know more about the human body than most adults.
At least they have a healthier attitude to the human body than some of these uptight prudes!

Get out more, get a life!

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

Sexually harassed? Who was sexually harassing anyone?
Does that women even know what sex harassment is?
If she thinks it means someone walking around with a fake penis then she needs to ask for all hen's nights and bucks nights to be banned.

As for kids being confused. Hello!
Kids today know more about the human body than most adults.
At least they have a healthier attitude to the human body than some of these uptight prudes!

Get out more, get a life!

Reading what you've just said Bee made me think. That woman's group have come about saying it's basically sexual harrassment. I think that is disgustingly wrong. Disrespectful to those who actually are victims of sexual harrassment, (and it happens to men and women) and just overdramatising nothing.

I think it's very wrong for that group to have said that, because it was far from sexual harrassment and it is very wrong to give that label to someone when they are innocent.

I feel like writing them an email from a woman's point of view.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

The AFL had no comment last night but police have not ruled out laying a charge of offensive behaviour against Fevola.

"It all depends on anyone making an official complaint," a spokesman said.

So let me get this straight .... someone that did not make an official complaint at the time, can now go into the police and make that complaint and guarantee that Fev will be charged, because the police have advertised the fact in the newspaper?

Come forward and say the word and we will charge the bastard, hell you don't even need to have been offended, we just need a complainant name to proceed with the charge.

Anybody wanting to make a name for themselves or just an opposition fan who hates Fev has free reign to do some damage.

Woeful unprofessionalism by whoever that police spokesperson was.

 

[Blues_Man]

I have kids of my own and work with primary school children everyday. I can assure you that they aren't given nearly enough credit, they seem to 'grow up' alot quicker these days. Think they actually know more than i do about the birds and the bees sometimes

As for Fev sexually harassing females with his so called antics, i would of thought he might of had to actually confront a lady with his toy and do something seemingly untoward, be it physical or verbal. No evidence as yet to suggest this was the case. Just another excuse for people with no public profile to jump up on their soapbox and get their name in the paper.

Until something is actually proven very poor article IMO

I also have kids of my own and i wouldn't take kindly to having them witnessing drunken idiots wearing strap on dildo's in the middle of the day in Federation square..it was simply not the time or the place for such moronic behavior ..Fev should start acting his age, i'm hoping the club takes action against him .

 

[this is carlton fc]

no need for the hysterics Blues man.

what sort of action do you want the club to take ?

bar him from wearing a dildo (pardon the pun) ?

a bloke walks around city streets in jocks and cowboy boots and a guitar and is seen as a celebrity and Fev gets kicked from pillar to post for having a drink with his mates.

Give the guy a break

 

[thylacine60]

no need for the hysterics Blues man.

what sort of action do you want the club to take ?

bar him from wearing a dildo (pardon the pun) ?

a bloke walks around city streets in jocks and cowboy boots and a guitar and is seen as a celebrity and Fev gets kicked from pillar to post for having a drink with his mates.

Give the guy a break

Naked Cowboy Busker Guy. Saw him myself in NY. Schmick.

 

[phantom 309]

Naked Cowboy Busker Guy. Saw him myself in NY. Schmick.

But could he play CHF

 

[Bonuspoints]

I also have kids of my own and i wouldn't take kindly to having them witnessing drunken idiots wearing strap on dildo's in the middle of the day in Federation square..it was simply not the time or the place for such moronic behavior ..Fev should start acting his age, i'm hoping the club takes action against him .

I agree with you on this. If it was late at night I'd have no problem with it, but in the middle of the day I would have thought that Fev and the lads had more common sense. Would have thought Fev's past experiences would have made him think, "hey this may cause a problem." I don't think what they did is offense and warrants any charge or slap on the wrist for Fev, just another poor choice in which he needs to be told to think for once.

Perhaps given the current media obsession over footballers in public and the whole Footballers must be nuns attitude Mad Monday should be kept out of public areas. Clubs can have their players do them in private locations.

 

[BlueYoss]

As for Fev sexually harassing females with his so called antics, i would of thought he might of had to actually confront a lady with his toy and do something seemingly untoward, be it physical or verbal. No evidence as yet to suggest this was the case. Just another excuse for people with no public profile to jump up on their soapbox and get their name in the paper.

Until something is actually proven very poor article IMO

Would this count?

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24284308-29277,00.html

"Fev had a foot-long dildo hanging out of his pink muu-muu in full public view outside the bar," said a witness who asked not to be named.

"I saw him hit a couple of girls on the head with it.

"It was a bit off-putting."

 

[Salt Lake Cities]

Would this count?

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24284308-29277,00.html

Yes it would, if true poor form

 

[Salt Lake Cities]

I also have kids of my own and i wouldn't take kindly to having them witnessing drunken idiots wearing strap on dildo's in the middle of the day in Federation square..it was simply not the time or the place for such moronic behavior ..Fev should start acting his age, i'm hoping the club takes action against him .

Well your entitled to your opinion BM but i'd prefer to sit down and educate the kids on such matters, they tend to find these things out very early on these days. TV, internet, school, just seems harder and harder to shield them from the more distasteful things in life. If they are going to see/learn about such things i'd rather it be from me than from these other devices. Just a difference of opinion on our behalves which is always healthy, all good

 

[grapevine]

Well your entitled to your opinion BM but i'd prefer to sit down and educate the kids on such matters, they tend to find these things out very early on these days. TV, internet, school, just seems harder and harder to shield them from the more distasteful things in life. If they are going to see/learn about such things i'd rather it be from me than from these other devices. Just a difference of opinion on our behalves which is always healthy, all good

Actually you both make the same point because you wouldn't get the chance to educate your children on such matters if everyone was going around doing what Fev did.. Fev would be the education your children got before you could explain the more distasteful things in life

 

[Salt Lake Cities]

Actually you both make the same point because you wouldn't get the chance to educate your children on such matters if everyone was going around doing what Fev did.. Fev would be the education your children got before you could explain the more distasteful things in life

I was working under the assumption that it was younger children, say 12 and under. I'd like to think if that was the case that a parent would be with them at the time of witnessing this behaviour. In this instance you would be able to guide them away from this situation and have a quiet talk with them at home about it. Sorry for any confusion

 

[grapevine]

I was working under the assumption that it was younger children, say 12 and under. I'd like to think if that was the case that a parent would be with them at the time of witnessing this behaviour. In this instance you would be able to guide them away from this situation and have a quiet talk with them at home about it. Sorry for any confusion

No matter which way you slice it you'd prefer being able to explain life to your children without them being confronted by a foot long dildo at 5pm in the middle of the city