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The Bitch is at it again

Inferno

Coach
Messages
18,331
Honestly why does this bitch have such a hard on for us?

Being a woman covering rugby league means reporting on the game from a different perspective to male writers. In the past few years, the social and cultural side of sport has been highlighted in stories written by women.

Six years ago, my colleague Jessica Halloran and I wrote about the league's culture of mistreatment of women. It was deemed so outrageous officials sent a five-page letter of complaint to the Fairfax board. The footballers were nonchalant. We had expected a more aggressive response because what we had known about, experienced and uncovered was so sleazy and dark — 10 players knocking on a hotel door after a night out, prostitutes used in group bonding sessions, women considered mere playthings.

I don't think this is a subject men would have canvassed or considered as story. For them, being so close to the game, it was just how things were.

A year later after our story, the Bulldogs gang rape allegations surfaced. David Gallop said: "You can tell me I told you so". We got an acknowledgement of the problem. Since then, the reporting of off-field incidents has been explosive.

This year alone, in just the code of rugby league, there have been sex assaults, king hits, black eyes, punches by a chief executive and a coach, drug charges, drink driving, urinating in public, pooing in a hotel hallway and today — another domestic violence story — all hitting the headlines.

Part of the reason Sarah Ferguson's Four Corners was so powerful is that a sporting celebrity was named on television. It was only then we started to care. Seeing is believing. It is a shame it took so long for the rage to bubble to the surface.

Sixteen years ago, I went to the Human Rights and Equal Opportnities Commission to get equal access to the dressing room. Everyone questioned my motives — why did I want to go into the dressing room? Did I just want to perv? Get myself a boyfriend? The footballers were horrible. They would try to intimidate and embarrass.

Rugby league has matured, but still, female journalists face some harrassment. The press conference is now on neutral territory, but all journalists still have to go to the rooms to interview players. It is critical to appear relaxed. Having to walk into a room full of near-naked men is something you do everyday. Keep eyes downcast on the wads of sports tape sticking to the floor.

Early on in my career, I approached a clothed Cronulla Sharks player about an upcoming representative match. Another, male, journalist was there, and we questioned him. Only when I walked away did the other reporter say something about his rudeness. I didn't know what he was talking about until I looked back to see the player starkers. I had been so focused on my notes and asking intelligent questions that I didn't notice him undoing his tie, shirt, shoes, socks and pants.

We don't look, but that is not so say we don't know what is going on.

Among some some clubs and journalists, there is a collusion of sorts. Sports agents set up "secret meetings" at an outdoor cafe that provides a perfect snapshot for a photographer tipped off; journalists look after their contacts, perhaps playing down a story, or happily promoting offers from rival clubs, so they can be in the front line when a bigger story is happening.

But female journalists don't play this game. We are outsiders, hardly ever privy to the bar-room chat and cosy deals. We may be fans of the game, but not the PR game inside it. Not being on the inside affords us a more objective view of the game. Writing negatively about a player or a club is not going to destroy any contacts.

Nor do third parties. I believe the cone of silence that used to protect players is no more. If we look at the circumstances surrounding the "outing" of boorish or violent behaviour this year there is a common thread. Third parties have quickly reported the incidents to the police before the club or managers can interfere.

Police were called to the Brett Stewart alleged attack by neighbours. A fellow clubber filmed Brett Seymour stumbling through a mall. Hospital staff contacted police in the Greg Bird assault case. Jason Taylor was caught on CCTV.

In this age of instant communication it is hard to cover up misdemeanours, but there has also been a cultural shift away from not dobbing in a high-profile athlete. I wonder if this because the footballers are no longer considered part of the general community, that being elevated to a status of super-hero, super-paid means they are, therefore, super-targeted?

Today, the scandals are prominent, but this does not mean there is more of this behaviour. There is probably less of it. But what has escalated is the fury of the football fan upset his player, team, code is scrutinised in the media.

And in these days of Facebook and email there is little barrier to the endless abuse of the messenger. Once, I got a dagger splattered in blood sent to me in the mail. Now I just get threats about being run over. But I do take heart.

When I first started covering sport more than 20 years ago there were just two women in Sydney covering rugby league. There are now more than a dozen. I'd like to think increasingly we help keep the game honest.
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Ausguy

Coach
Messages
14,887
im calling that BS... she only used cronulla sharks player to try to f**k us over again.

as if the player was undressing while being interviewed.... name the player you whore....
 

Surely

Post Whore
Messages
102,098
Yeah as if you wouldn't notice someone you started interviewing ending up completely starkers at the end of it !
 

roboshark

Coach
Messages
17,933
What really worries me is that she will start again next year just to prove that it doesn't matter who you have running the club, the club is rotten

That's what a lowlife piece of sh*t she is
 

Swamp

Juniors
Messages
1,397
I thought it was a pretty reasonable piece considering what has gone on & uncovered this year alone. She is only writing from her own perspective as a journalist in a male dominated field.
 

Inferno

Coach
Messages
18,331
I honestly think we will lose nothing if we ban her from entering the ground. Fairfax is welcome to send any other male/female/trannie in her place but Magnay can GAGF.
 

Kong

Juniors
Messages
326
Sixteen years ago, I went to the Human Rights and Equal Opportnities Commission to get equal access to the dressing room. Everyone questioned my motives — why did I want to go into the dressing room? Did I just want to perv? Get myself a boyfriend? The footballers were horrible. They would try to intimidate and embarrass.
](*,)
Women shouldnt be allowed in, it goes against many players moral, cultural or religious beliefs.
Then she winges about a player getting nude.


Not being on the inside affords us a more objective view of the game. Writing negatively about a player or a club is not going to destroy any contacts.

](*,)
 

PJ

First Grade
Messages
6,060
Women shouldnt be allowed in, it goes against many players moral, cultural or religious beliefs.
Then she winges about a player getting nude

I agree Kong, what do you reckon the chances would be of allowing a male journalist into the Swifts or Opals changeroom.

As for the player getting changed, isn't that what changerooms are for?

Get myself a boyfriend? The footballers were horrible

How were the coaches?;-)
 
Messages
3,224
Does this bitch ever give up. Who at the Sharks did something or failed to do something that has got so pizzed off with us. f**k, you'd think she'd have something better to do, like paint her claws or trim her nostril hairs.

I only hope that our new management stand up to this thing and let Gallop know in no uncertain terms that she's not welcome anywhere near our club. f**k off you lowlife poor excuse for a female or a journalist.
 

Weaponhead

Coach
Messages
11,000
She has written this exact same peice so many times it must get brought out whenever she can't be ar$ed writing. To publish this sooky rubbish when we are in the middle of a great finals series is dead set wierd. She really doesn't like the game if all she do is whinge about being an outsider.

The agenda is so painfully obvious, it beggars belief. I will give her some credit for being a journalist the day she writes a 'negative' story about her beloved St George. Until then she is just another hack gossip writer who can't resist a dig at Cronulla.
 

roboshark

Coach
Messages
17,933
I honestly think we will lose nothing if we ban her from entering the ground. Fairfax is welcome to send any other male/female/trannie in her place but Magnay can GAGF.

If we did this we would upset the RSPCA. We couldn't have that
 

gunnamatta bay

Referee
Messages
21,084
the really interesting thing was the video that accompanied the story in the SMH in which she lies through her teeth claiming similar 'atrocities' don't occur in other sports. AFL anyone? Soccer? Yawnion?

Ever heard of John Daly jacky? He plays golf. He also has a bit of a reputation.
 

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