For crimes of that type, yes I think sacking is an appropriate consequence. However I wouldn’t be opposed in some circumstances to a club sacking the player from the squad but staying involved to assist in rehab. Working in another non privileged role with strict conditions and ongoing support, I could get behind something like that.
And yes, as reprehensible as someone like AFB’s actions were, if he’s served his punishment and genuinely demonstrated that he’s committed to doing the right thing then I’m ok with a second chance at our club. But I still think tearing up his contract was the right decision. You shouldn’t get to keep a first grade contract after doing something like that.
Damo,
You are a good thinker and remove emotion from most things so perhaps you can offer an opinion on this.
Just before we get to that I should say categorically I abhor DV and do not in any way shape or form condone or excuse it as my stand with almost all violent acts regardless of who they are perpetrated on.
I do also declare that I am a person who believes in rehabilitating people so therefore in believing that if given the chance people should have active involvement.
Now with that out of the way I go back to the AFB situation.
- AFB perpetrates an act of DV and admits to it.
- The club stands him down immediately (including form the player group I think)
- With an admission of guilt already made the die is cast that he will be punished by the judicial system.
- We have some involvement with him in the 6 months leading up to the court case with the result in fact a no brainer only severity in question.
- The court hands out what can be considered a very light slap on the wrist penalty of $1,000 fine and a 12 mont suspended sentence and some counselling.
- The club the trips up his contract and turf him.
My question / dilemma is if the club new he was guilty why did the club wait for the court ruling to terminate the contract surely they already knew the result.
Is it possible that the club may have waited to that moment just in case the case was withdrawn or AFB changed his plea?
Some people are suggesting the Packer case was different because he had served his custodial sentence well the fact is AFB didn't have a sentence to serve as such and the court in its “wisdom@ let him go about his business.
Now whilst I believe in rehabilitation where possible I could actually understand if the club had of cut AFB loose the moment he admitted to the DV crime but what was the point in waiting 6 months to tear up the contract?
As I have suggested in previous posts IMO seeing they held onto him for that period of time then why consign him to there scrap heap at the very time he and his family probably needed us most?
I can see no good logic for keeping someone who you know is guilty of a crime, doing some work with him but then cast him adrift.
If the conviction of the club was not to tolerate such action then surely it should have torn up the contract day 1?
It could have done that and still offered counselling.
If it was me in charge I would have looked for the pathway to rehabilitate him, keep within the group he knew best and have very strong penalty clauses against him if he f**ked up again.
