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Adrian Proszenko | September 13, 2009
EMBATTLED South Sydney coach Jason Taylor has denied he was intoxicated during the club's infamous Sad Sunday celebrations and claimed his ''light-weight kung-fu horseplay'' with David Fa'alogo was not a sacking offence.
Taylor broke his silence after CCTV footage of the incident was made public last night. Taylor and Fa'alogo were engaged in a physical altercation at the Surry Hills watering hole that has threatened the careers of both men. Taylor, who was punched in the head by Fa'alogo at the Japanese-themed function, has until Tuesday to respond to a breach notice issued by the Souths board.
A statement released by Taylor's legal representatives claimed:
■ ''Mr Taylor was not 'intoxicated' or 'drunk' as those terms are understood in general parlance or by employees responsible for serving alcohol in licensed premises;
■ Mr Taylor engaged in some light-hearted, well-meaning, friendly horseplay with some players present, including David Fa'alogo, and that all participants in the horseplay acted consensually. The nature of the horseplay was pretend, lightweight kung-fu play;
■ Any contact that Mr Taylor made with Mr Fa'alogo was in the context of, and with the physical force consistent with, that pretend, lightweight kung-fu play;
■ Mr Fa'alogo's participation in the pretend, lightweight kung-fu play that led to the alleged incident was at least as willing as Taylor's, indeed more so.''
The statement, issued to try and minimise for the club, also claimed that the footage - when viewed in its entirety by a ''reasonable person'' - would substantiate the above statements. It stated that Taylor's decision to attend the festivities - as well as his consumption of alcohol - did not breach his employment contract.
The development comes as further details emerge from the celebrations at Forresters Hotel. The Sun-Herald has learned that intoxicated forward Garrett Crossman was ejected from the premises after an altercation with staff. He repeatedly attempted to force his way back inside before teammates subdued him and put him in a cab. Another player did a nudie run before re-entering the premises.
Utility Shaun Corrigan, who locked himself in a toilet cubicle, was so intoxicated that he needed to be carried out of the hotel.
There are already suggestions that a replacement for Taylor is being sought, but it's understood that the early favourite, Tim Sheens, has no interest in the job.
''If Jason Taylor was replaced I would expect Tim Sheens to get a phone call from Russell Crowe and make him an offer he could not refuse,'' said Matt Tripp, chief executive of betting agency Sportsbet.
Souths patriarch George Piggins said Taylor made a bad call by socialising with his team but the mistake shouldn't cost him his job. ''It's good for the players to get out and kick their heels up after a long, hard season,'' he said. ''But I tell you, it's a good idea for the coach not to go
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/horseplay-could-buck-jt/2009/09/12/1252519678875.html
