AN IRISH JOKE

The annual International Rules matches between Australia and Ireland have thrown up many controversies over the years and this year we have yet another incident causing embarrassment to the AFL.

Former bad boy, Brendan Fevola, from Carlton has been sent home for assaulting a barman in an Irish hotel.  Fevola, this years AFL Coleman medalist, had gone off the piss for season 2006 and did not have any off field incidents this year and had his best season for the Blues.  However, a couple of Guinesses at the races and then a few more at the hotel saw him go over the edge and attack a barman, putting him a headlock and allegedly threatening to knock him out.  Barman, Paul, says he was struck and is going through with assault charges.

Then comes the two faced, absolutely trivial and downright inappropriate response from Commandant Andrew and the cadre.  The total punishment handed out was to send Fevola back to Australia (business class) and nothing more.

Not only was the incident performed in public, Fevola was representing his country and countrymen.  He, for this tournament, was employed by the AFL and even though they say that player payments are not made it still costs the AFL a more than significant total to send end player to Ireland.

It is Digger's opinion that Fevola should be fined the maximum $5,000 that AFL clubs can fine there players for indiscretions and he should be made to perform some sort of public service to promote the game and to promote responsible drinking.

Commandant Andrew is always going on about players being responsible but lacks the guts to impose any penalty when he has the chance to do so.  Another case of not making tough decisions when the chance is there.

It should not be the responsibility of Carlton to impose any further penalty as Fevola was representing the AFL and to repeat it again was representing the country and the AFL supporters.

A slap on the wrist for am alleged punch in the gob.

By the way, it is said that the boys did win at the races, maybe they are listening to Trigger.

Digger