Nathan MottonAFL clears Roos of harmless joke
March 8th 2008 12:29
Swans coach Paul Roos was cleared yesterday of bringing the game into disrepute by allegedly attempting to stop his side winning against Hawthorn during a NAB Cup game.
The investigation by former Justice John Winneke cleared Roos of any breach of rules and regulations during the game in Launceston on February 17.
"Justice Winneke concluded there was nothing before him that would or could lead him to the conclusion that any words uttered by Roos during the course of the game... were uttered with a purpose of intentionally inducing or encouraging any player to perform otherwise than on his merits," the AFL said.
What an outlandishly surprising statement that is.
Did the AFL really believe that they would find anything to the contrary?
They knew it was just an off-the-cuff line, made in jest by a man who is noted for his jovial nature.
They knew there was no way that Jarrad McVeigh, the player who was reportedly told to "go forward... just don't kick a goal" seriously carried out his coaches throw away line.
And they knew that to punish Roos would lead to a knee-jerk precedent being created, that would be ridiculously difficult to enforce.
The AFL's tense relationship with Roos has been much talked about since 2005, when league chief Andrew Demetriou slammed the Swans style of play as "ugly."
And although Roos was undoubtedly pleased of the finding, he has admitted that he is worried about his relationship with the AFL.
"You're left scratching your head after a couple of weeks dealing with this, as well as the amount of money and effort, and it does seem a little bit strange to us," Roos told the Herald Sun.
Strange.
Roos is not the only one who finds this whole 'investigation' strange.
Demetriou has said there is no issue between him and Roos, and has reiterated the importance of the process.
"There was a process that had to be followed, and it wouldn't have mattered which club, which coach, which president... the same process would have been followed," he said.
Rubbish.
And even if he was speaking truthfully, this 'process' is an absolute joke.
All the investigating this comment required, was a phone call from Demetriou to Roos.
That's it. The matter would have been settled there and then.
Instead we now have a situation where the AFL Coaches Association is seeking a clarification of the current rules, surely for fear of saying something that might wind up all over the media for two weeks.
And a situation where once again, questions are being asked of the systems in place regarding draft picks, as surely a more important issue than some joking remark.
Roos and Demetriou live to fight another day.
Strap yourself in for the next battle.
And could the AFL please just lighten up a little.
The investigation by former Justice John Winneke cleared Roos of any breach of rules and regulations during the game in Launceston on February 17.
"Justice Winneke concluded there was nothing before him that would or could lead him to the conclusion that any words uttered by Roos during the course of the game... were uttered with a purpose of intentionally inducing or encouraging any player to perform otherwise than on his merits," the AFL said.
Did the AFL really believe that they would find anything to the contrary?
They knew it was just an off-the-cuff line, made in jest by a man who is noted for his jovial nature.
They knew there was no way that Jarrad McVeigh, the player who was reportedly told to "go forward... just don't kick a goal" seriously carried out his coaches throw away line.
And they knew that to punish Roos would lead to a knee-jerk precedent being created, that would be ridiculously difficult to enforce.
The AFL's tense relationship with Roos has been much talked about since 2005, when league chief Andrew Demetriou slammed the Swans style of play as "ugly."
And although Roos was undoubtedly pleased of the finding, he has admitted that he is worried about his relationship with the AFL.
"You're left scratching your head after a couple of weeks dealing with this, as well as the amount of money and effort, and it does seem a little bit strange to us," Roos told the Herald Sun.
Strange.
Roos is not the only one who finds this whole 'investigation' strange.
Demetriou has said there is no issue between him and Roos, and has reiterated the importance of the process.
Rubbish.
And even if he was speaking truthfully, this 'process' is an absolute joke.
All the investigating this comment required, was a phone call from Demetriou to Roos.
That's it. The matter would have been settled there and then.
Instead we now have a situation where the AFL Coaches Association is seeking a clarification of the current rules, surely for fear of saying something that might wind up all over the media for two weeks.
And a situation where once again, questions are being asked of the systems in place regarding draft picks, as surely a more important issue than some joking remark.
Roos and Demetriou live to fight another day.
Strap yourself in for the next battle.
And could the AFL please just lighten up a little.
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