Balmain Players Walk Out of Match v Wests - Match Abandoned

[Tiges]

I am somebody who has had significant involvement in the past as a player, and an official, and understand the players point of view. I am using my username and revealing who I am is not in the interest of my current occupation. This has nothing to do with courage, or it does not matter with regards to the situation.

But yes I do admire courage and the courage these players have shown, and I will dismiss your somewhat arrogant remarks.

[Ancient Tiger]

Very interesting what a look through the rule book will show up. Under 10.7.1(b) of the Laws of Australian Football, a game is forfeited when the field umpire says it is. They don't have to wait 15 minutes.


Whether the umpire made the call too quickly, or should have waited 15 minutes, or gone down to the Balmain rooms to try to talk the players into returning, or should have played on with Wests playing the remaining 10-12 Balmain players who didn't walk for 15 minutes, is a matter of opinion.
But technically, the field umpires had every right under the Laws of Australian Football to rule that the game had been forfeited.

I can understand the umpires doing this among the confusion, but as Tiges pointed out from the information he received this morning from one of those involved, steps were taken to contact the AFL post protest.

[Steamboat]

With such "Acts of bravery" never before witnessed in AFL circles, I would assume that moves are afoot to have some sort of medal struck up.

These should probably be presented at Phelan night along with the other medals for people who are recognised for best & fairest and others for goal kicking, and those that regularly put their heads over the ball.

[Ancient Tiger]

You don't think self sacrifice is bravery?

You don't think standing up to a corrupt board is bravery in order to save your club?

You don't think standing up for your team mates who have been bullied, abused and threatened is bravery?

I played in the 70's and 80's where getting whacked every week was standard operating procedure, and what these boys did was the bravest thing I have ever seen in football. Don't tell me about bravery, I have seen it all and that rubbish statement doesn't wash with me for one second.

These people should be recognised as a group who stood up against the odds to save a club. Have you ever tried to save a club, and put your self in the firing line in doing so?

[MrTaxman]

I am somebody who has had significant involvement in the past as a player, and an official, and understand the players point of view. I am using my username and revealing who I am is not in the interest of my current occupation.

Sounds like you shouldn't be saying anything at all then. I hope you don't have a confidentiality clause in a contract with the club. I have been privy to further information from a variety of sources - ranging from people on the field of play to people at the ground & within your club (but none of the current management) - which indicate that you have been telling a number of half-truths on this forum. If you are not willing to put your name forward then unfortunately I am going to discount what you write on this forum - which you have contradicted a few times by the way. I suggest that yourself & Ancient Tiger also restrict trying to point the finger at the umpires & the AFL because all you are doing is slowly whittling away your allies who may have sympathy for your cause.

PS I am not surprised that the current administration have not put a statement on here because it really is an internal matter.

PPS I am predicting Balmain to beat St George by 15 points on the weekend.

[UTSBatman]

Now that the issue is well publicised, what are the next steps of action Tiges/Ancient? Any luck in speaking with Sydney AFL? Or AFL?

Has there been any talk from within the club about the current boards reaction?

[Tiges]

Sounds like you shouldn't be saying anything at all then. I hope you don't have a confidentiality clause in a contract with the club. I have been privy to further information from a variety of sources - ranging from people on the field of play to people at the ground & within your club (but none of the current management) - which indicate that you have been telling a number of half-truths on this forum. If you are not willing to put your name forward then unfortunately I am going to discount what you write on this forum - which you have contradicted a few times by the way. I suggest that yourself & Ancient Tiger also restrict trying to point the finger at the umpires & the AFL because all you are doing is slowly whittling away your allies who may have sympathy for your cause.

PS I am not surprised that the current administration have not put a statement on here because it really is an internal matter.

PPS I am predicting Balmain to beat St George by 15 points on the weekend.

Why would a former player and committee member have a confidentiality clause with the club, that would seem highly unusual for a local footy club?

So name the half truths? There have been no half truths stated here as far as I am aware.

So discount whatever you will but the facts that have been discussed are accurate.

Over to you, I would love to hear these half truths you speak of.

[Ancient Tiger]

We are not complaining about the umpires, we are saying the players didn't call the game off, didn't want to call the game off, and they contacted the AFL before the weekend to try to ensure the protest worked.

I am definitely complaining about the AFL suspending the players before the tribunal, or the investigation has been conducted, and it is NOT consistent with Essendon being able to play under a doping scandal.

I would also be interested in these half truths and your source. And if you do not name them, then perhaps your statements are the ones that need to be discounted perhaps?

[MrTaxman]

So name the half truths? There have been no half truths stated here as far as I am aware.

I will ask you two questions so you can help clarify some of the story being communicated to this forum ...

1. What was the exact advice given by AFL Sydney last Friday when the dissidents communicated that there would be a protest last Sunday?

2. Was the EGM request form valid? If not, can you share why it was not deemed to be valid?

[The Jury]

Names of concern taken out Norris.

After sifting through the passionate pro Balmain posts and the outside opinions, the FACTS seem to be as follows:
? FACT- Almost 150 people have signed a petition to remove the Current Board from the Club and DSC.
? FACT-The Drummoyne Sports Club was sold without the approval of its members
? FACT-Last AGM- Former Swan Premiership player Nic Fosdike led team was beaten by 60 unidentified and never seen members at this infamous AGM
? FACT- NOT one person has defended the actions, integrity or supported the current Board
? FACT- With the backing of Fremantle, a club worth $4.4million, a list including 8 AFL players, a licenced club and the best home ground in the State, the current Board were unable to secure a NEAFL licence and instead almost lost the club
? FACT-Last 2 Grand Final Coaches, Craig White & Nic Fosdike, are no longer with the club
? FACT- Looking at this week?s team sheet, it seems only Representative Players and a couple of kids did not leave the field against West (perhaps a coincidence???)
? FACT-Senior Coach Gary Bull left before RD 1 this year
? FACT -Senior Coach Damien Hall scored 1 goal against Pennant Hills Rd 14 and is no longer coaching at the club
? FACT-Troy Luff left for UNSW even though getting paid at Balmain
? FACT- Jason Saddington is now playing for free at St George despite getting $**,***/year with Balmain
? FACT- Two time B&F and Club captains Evan Davis and Nick Todd now play for North Shore
? FACT- 5 juniors of Balmain ? Chris Bolt, Kyle Underwood, Dion Shaw, Jared Boyd and James Howard were at the Wests RD 15 fixture
? FACT-85 past players, 10 Life Members and 2 Club Presidents, and 1 hall of fame member were at the Wests RD 15 fixture

VERDICT
? I am no Einstein, but It seems 2 people v 150. Unless 1 of the 2 people is Jesus, I?d probably back the 150 as to telling the truth without question
? If the current Board was removed Balmain would be the biggest, most financial and well supported Club in Sydney.
? The 10-12 player that walked should be exonerated and apologised to immediately and not face a tribunal hearing
? The League now has an opportunity on behalf of all players in the country who have been mistreated to make stand
? The current Board has a lot of explaining. If they are Club men, they should stand down immediately, save themselves and let 150 members run football club (unless they have a vested interest) and return the DSC to the members
? If the League side with backroom politics and men who only have their own interests to protect over the welfare of volunteers and young footballers, I dare say the media will have a field day with this and lose a substantial number of good people to the not only the Club, but to the game of AFL in favour of soccer or rugby league.

I rest my case.

- - - Updated - - -

oh and I forgot to mention again about the EGM notice that was not conducted under the club constitution

[Norris Lurker]

Just a reminder from earlier in the thread that I've asked that individuals not be named. I deleted the jury thread because of that.
After somewhat reluctantly allowing the issue to be discussed, I've given you a lot of latitude to discuss the issues at Balmain where others may not have; and it's certainly been a wide-ranging thread that's gone a lot further than any of us could have imagined. I don't want to lock this thread, but I'll have to if it happens again.

Play on.

[Ancient Tiger]

I will ask you two questions so you can help clarify some of the story being communicated to this forum ...

1. What was the exact advice given by AFL Sydney last Friday when the dissidents communicated that there would be a protest last Sunday?

2. Was the EGM request form valid? If not, can you share why it was not deemed to be valid?

Taxman, Tiges would not know that specifically, however the AFL were advised that the players were desperate and some kind of player rally was going to occur and told they shoud attend. There was an email and multiple phone calls to multiple people regarding this.

I believe Steiger identified the reasons the EGM notice was considered invalid on the other forum started by "The Jury"

I hope this clarify's the half truth information you were asking about?

- - - Updated - - -

And the email notice was given on Thursday, not Friday.

[Steiger]

The AFL were told that the members that raised the EGM were not fully paid.

Of the 5, 2 are life members and the other 3 had paid by credit card (club receipts) but had nothing on their credit card statement.

This means the Board put retaining their positions of power on the board over the health and safety of their members who they are supposed to be representing.

The 3 are lucky they have not received a serious injury because the first question asked to them by Insurance and the AFL would be "have they paid their fees?"

[Ancient Tiger]

Life members do not need to be financial either, in case anyone is wondering

[MrTaxman]

Taxman, Tiges would not know that specifically, however the AFL were advised that the players were desperate and some kind of player rally was going to occur and told they shoud attend. There was an email and multiple phone calls to multiple people regarding this.

I believe Steiger identified the reasons the EGM notice was considered invalid on the other forum started by "The Jury"

As you were one of the two people that communicated with the League prior to the protest ... I will ask you again ... what exact advice did the league give you in respect to the protest/rally?

As The Jury thread is closed, perhaps you can share why the EGM notice was considered invalid? INGNORE AS IHAVE NOW SEEN THE ANSWER POSTED

- - - Updated - - -

The AFL were told that the members that raised the EGM were not fully paid.

So why didn't you fill out another form & get signed by 5 who were either life members or current financial members? Surely a lot easier than staging a walk-off? And clearly not all avenues fully pursued?

PS So to understand your structure again (which I never got an answer to previously) ... the EGM was in relation to DSC? Yet the players are members of the BAFC - which is where the insurance & AFL Sydney affiliation is with? So is it possible that the membership fees that they paid was for BAFC & not membership of DSC? I don't know the answer here so would appreciate the background info.