The Boys' Club - Michael Warner

[hamohawk1]

Not sure if this is the appropriate thread but it is media related so thought it best go here.

Good easy read i've been smashing over the long weekend. Outlines some pretty interesting issues, including the AFL executive, Essendon (and other clubs) drug scandals as well as other issues.


Anyone else had a read?

 

[T-D-J]

I'm about 4/5th's the way through it, I've found it quite interesting, a really good record of capturing all the AFL scandals over the last 20 years or so and putting them in context with some insider info.

If anything it's turned me off being interested in AFL off-field news, as the administrators of the game come across in the book as so unlikable, and as indicated by the book title, it's a massive boys club of privileged types making enormous amounts of money off the game.

 

[hamohawk1]

I'm about 4/5th's the way through it, I've found it quite interesting, a really good record of capturing all the AFL scandals over the last 20 years or so and putting them in context with some insider info.

If anything it's turned me off being interested in AFL off-field news, as the administrators of the game come across in the book as so unlikable, and as indicated by the book title, it's a massive boys club of privileged types making enormous amounts of money off the game.

Thought it tails off towards the end, but hope that doesn't put you off.

Felt the exact same way about the off field stuff.

 

[3rd Grade Maggy]

It wasn't great. There was no real insight - just seemed like a lot of words to pad out a book about 'the AFL stitched up James Hird'.

 

[MauroFogheri]

Heard a lot about it and no thanks - boring premise. The decision-making machines that exist behind closed doors, whether that be Law and order, public service, high finance, journalism, sports admin., can all be the subject of a sensationalised book, but the AFL is a big, dopey easy target. What is the line? Sausages are like laws, all fine and good but you wouldn't want to see them being made

 

[Keith Ape]

Thought it tails off towards the end, but hope that doesn't put you off.

Felt the exact same way about the off field stuff.

You're not wrong. I've been hooked on this book and smashing through it but can barely get through to the end.

It goes off a cliff after the Covid season.

 

[Kwality]

I'm about 4/5th's the way through it, I've found it quite interesting, a really good record of capturing all the AFL scandals over the last 20 years or so and putting them in context with some insider info.

If anything it's turned me off being interested in AFL off-field news, as the administrators of the game come across in the book as so unlikable, and as indicated by the book title, it's a massive boys club of privileged types making enormous amounts of money off the game.

Not read it so far - who are the people that are supposed to have made money from the game ?
Sure, the players & those employed, anyone else?
Did Ron Evans get a mention?

 

[T-D-J]

Not read it so far - who are the people that are supposed to have made money from the game ?
Sure, the players & those employed, anyone else?
Did Ron Evans get a mention?

There was a good amount on Ron Evans, especially his dodgy dealings in getting the catering contract at Subi, and maintaining the catering contract at the MCG with Spotless.

The one that stuck out to me as somewhat surprising was Craig Kelly, I knew he was a player manager prior to reading the book, but the book details his very close relationship with Gill, and how many aspects of the commercial aspects of the AFL go through Kelly and his businesses with zero tendering processes. And these are HUGE contracts.

Thought it tails off towards the end, but hope that doesn't put you off.

Felt the exact same way about the off field stuff.

I skimmed over the end of the book, as it just goes through what the author thinks the AFL should do to make it a more transparent organisation, which is quite obvious from reading the body of the work. I thought the Epilogue really drove the overriding point of the book home quite well with Dean Bailey's story, a real footy person just getting steamrolled by the AFL machine for the sake of money (and keeping the bookies happy).

 

[Kwality]

There was a good amount on Ron Evans, especially his dodgy dealings in getting the catering contract at Subi, and maintaining the catering contract at the MCG with Spotless.

The one that stuck out to me as somewhat surprising was Craig Kelly, I knew he was a player manager prior to reading the book, but the book details his very close relationship with Gill, and how many aspects of the commercial aspects of the AFL go through Kelly and his businesses with zero tendering processes. And these are HUGE contracts.




I skimmed over the end of the book, as it just goes through what the author thinks the AFL should do to make it a more transparent organisation, which is quite obvious from reading the body of the work. I thought the Epilogue really drove the overriding point of the book home quite well with Dean Bailey's story, a real footy person just getting steamrolled by the AFL machine for the sake of money (and keeping the bookies happy).

Amusing review of the book by Crikeys Steven Mayne, who is not a fan of the AFL:

It's time to put the boot into the AFL and call a royal commission

A new book detailing myriad scandals makes it clear: a royal commission into the business of Australian rules is long overdue.

www.crikey.com.au

 

[MauroFogheri]

Crikeys Steven Mayne, who is not a fan of the AFL:

It's time to put the boot into the AFL and call a royal commission

A new book detailing myriad scandals makes it clear: a royal commission into the business of Australian rules is long overdue.

www.crikey.com.au

There's a blast from the past, the Peter Hoare of the corporate world

 

[T-D-J]

Amusing review of the book by Crikeys Steven Mayne, who is not a fan of the AFL:

It's time to put the boot into the AFL and call a royal commission

A new book detailing myriad scandals makes it clear: a royal commission into the business of Australian rules is long overdue.

www.crikey.com.au

Calling for a Royal Commission is tongue in cheek, but I think broadly he has a point, in that the AFL doesn't pay tax and gets huge amounts of funding from government sources it needs to be more accountable and transparent in its reporting. Simple things like showing how much senior staff are being paid would raise a lot of eyebrows.

 

[Kwality]

Calling for a Royal Commission is tongue in cheek, but I think broadly he has a point, in that the AFL doesn't pay tax and gets huge amounts of funding from government sources it needs to be more accountable and transparent in its reporting. Simple things like showing how much senior staff are being paid would raise a lot of eyebrows.

Not sure of the relevance of tax.

The lack of transparency is an issue & it applies to the clubs also. I'd like to see the Commission leading on transparency requiring both parties 'to lift the bar' on disclosure along the lines of public companies. That would see the senior employees packages reported on.

 

[Sweet Jesus]

Was there any new reporting in this book?

I saw the excerpt that rehashed the whole Ben Cousins saga. That was pretty underwhelming.

 

[thejester]

I haven't read it yet, but it's been pretty interesting listening to his views on the HS Footy Podcast. Hard to argue with a lot of his cynicism about how power works in footy, but also hard not role your eyes at time when he is very much part of the machine - he's been fighting a rearguard for Kennett the last few weeks that is clearly based in part on the fact he can get Jeff on the phone.

 

[PatonsSnapChat]

Was there any new reporting in this book?

I saw the excerpt that rehashed the whole Ben Cousins saga. That was pretty underwhelming.

nothing new, some stuff a little more researched like the misogyny etc at AFL house.

It’s greatest asset as a look at the AFL is probably more about how alot of incidents are intertwined rather than just “events” as we consume them every couple of years in traditional media.

It’s worth the read it’s not a hard read by any stretch.

 

[Sweet Jesus]

nothing new, some stuff a little more researched like the misogyny etc at AFL house.

It’s greatest asset as a look at the AFL is probably more about how alot of incidents are intertwined rather than just “events” as we consume them every couple of years in traditional media.

It’s worth the read it’s not a hard read by any stretch.

Yeah I'm sure it's not a "hard read". My concern is that it sounds like nothing new either. Old reporting rehashed and turned into an "exposé" in book form.

 

[TheJanuaryMan]

Its a very interesting read but the coverage of the Essendon saga goes on almost as long as the actual issue itself. Certainly highlights what many of us thought for some time about how much the AFL is indeed a true boys club with Andrew D and Gill looking out for their mates incessantly. A few minor proofreading errors are possibly an effect of trying to get it out there quickly. The way the league treated Dean Bailey while completely protecting Cameron Schwab over the Melbourne tanking issue is awful to read. Well worth getting but there may not be a heap of completely new information in there.

 

[Kwality]

Its a very interesting read but the coverage of the Essendon saga goes on almost as long as the actual issue itself. Certainly highlights what many of us thought for some time about how much the AFL is indeed a true boys club with Andrew D and Gill looking out for their mates incessantly. A few minor proofreading errors are possibly an effect of trying to get it out there quickly. The way the league treated Dean Bailey while completely protecting Cameron Schwab over the Melbourne tanking issue is awful to read. Well worth getting but there may not be a heap of completely new information in there.

Its only a matter of time before the AFL has Google searches edited to remove any suggestion of foul play.

They did it with Demetriou's address describing the VFL as a red neck competition where indigenous players were not welcome. Not only what was said but the media coverage that reflected on clubs & administrators - all gone. Were the media outlets complicit? There material is available NO MORE.

Try & research the Saints not paying the likes of club captain Bruce Duperouzel, whilst actively attracting players from interstate.

This is a straight denial of the history of our game.

 

[errant bounce]

Its a very interesting read but the coverage of the Essendon saga goes on almost as long as the actual issue itself. Certainly highlights what many of us thought for some time about how much the AFL is indeed a true boys club with Andrew D and Gill looking out for their mates incessantly. A few minor proofreading errors are possibly an effect of trying to get it out there quickly. The way the league treated Dean Bailey while completely protecting Cameron Schwab over the Melbourne tanking issue is awful to read. Well worth getting but there may not be a heap of completely new information in there.

Yeah, for the biggest scandal in the game's history and so much unknown, it's just word salad and the whole thing is like 'Essendon got a tip off and needed a scapegoat so made James Hird it.' which is never quite explained. why did the evil AFL decide to go after the medallion of one of its asset clubs? a guy who was universally liked as a tough, skilful, almost perfect footballer?

The book essentially tells us what we all know, it's a bunch of private school cocaine self-serving business bogans operating a product that sells itself and they have government in their pocket. but there's some genuinely great little examples of that – some real, specific examples of the wild shit they've done (and successfully).

But once the Essendon stuff comes in it just comes across like a long form diatribe.

Also, just about every club is mentioned as having done something dodgy but there's almost zero reference to Richmond FC, who the author supports.

Like everyone, he has a bias and his own opinion and we can all shift clear and vague data to factualise those perspectives. but unlike most people who admit their faults and perspectives, Warner acts like a know it all angel of the truth. which is always going to bite you in the arse.

 

[errant bounce]

Its only a matter of time before the AFL has Google searches edited to remove any suggestion of foul play.

They did it with Demetriou's address describing the VFL as a red neck competition where indigenous players were not welcome. Not only what was said but the media coverage that reflected on clubs & administrators - all gone. Were the media outlets complicit? There material is available NO MORE.

Try & research the Saints not paying the likes of club captain Bruce Duperouzel, whilst actively attracting players from interstate.

This is a straight denial of the history of our game.

The AFL is currently doing more to remove Indigenous participation than it ever has.

In the 80s, most Australians straight out distrusted and disliked Aboriginals. most people have reformed those perspectives. it's been a great example of education, to be honest, and even the truest rednecks have at least opened their understanding.

So, what happened within VFL and especially SANFL clubs was just emblematic of society at large. 'they're lazy,' 'you can't trust them,' 'they just want to be forwards,' 'it's too much work.'

Now though, the AFL bang on about reconciliation and have one twelfth of the season dedicated to Aboriginal participation in footy.

But... the rates of professional and state league Indigenous players is dropping and the AFL does not give two ****. they are actively encouraging the perfect white private school boy. they are also happy to remove working class people from the sport, too, as they're less willing to be wily and manipulative: a public school lad will admit he ****ed up and did the wrong thing, but a private school boy will deny and successfully get out of it.