Balmain Players Walk Out of Match v Wests - Match Abandoned

[Coastal Boy]

Tiges, has anyone before last Sunday approached the SydneyAFL for assistance regarding the boardroom issues which prompted the walk off?

[Tiges]

Yes coastal by I can confirm that I do know that conversations have been had with AFL staff regarding concerns of the current Balmain board in the last few years.

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Also wondering why the constitution and contacts page has been removed on the Fockers website, along with the clause stating it would be published on the website?

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So no statement from the club, the removal of contact details and constitution from the website, and a board member that owns the Balmain Fockers ABN... Is anyone not concerned with what was happening at the club and perhaps think the players have conducted a selfless protest in order the shed light on all this dubious behaviour? Blind Freddy can see there is a bigger issue here than one forfeited dead rubber match!

[justabaraker]

The online support and private messages to the new Balmain Facebook page has been overwhelming and very appreciated by the group, and the players.

Tiges, once more for the dummies........how do we access the "new Balmain Facebook page" ? The Facebook search engine doesn't offer anything when I try.

[Norris Lurker]

justabaraker - check the original post in this thread. It's an unofficial page.

[Tiges]

Hi justabaraker, I am on my phone so can't share the link, but the first post on this thread has the link with it I believe.

Thanks to those again who overnight have inboxed the facebook group with some great heads up information about regulations to follow up with, and it will be followed up on.

[Ancient Tiger]

So one of the directors owns the ABN, the club removed their contact details, and constitution from the web page which notes the clause it must be published was removed, and yet still not a word from the club itself. Add millions of dollars in the mix, is your mind not asking what the hell has gone on down there?

I really do hope you all are starting to see the picture the being drawn of the "unusual" practices of the board, and understand that these courageous players who took a stand have done so to protect the future of the club and bring attention to the real, and very serious issue.

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Thank you to all the Drummoyne Sports Club patrons who have also contacted me directly in support of the player movement against the current administration, and also for your offers of assistance if required.

[UTSBatman]

Whilst there may have been some other courses of action that could have been more appropriate, the walk-off has certainly put the spotlight on the issue. Personally, I had heard a little bit about 'saving the tigers' prior to Sunday, but now I'm following with interest. Most players at our club are aware of the issue. Sydney AFL are certainly aware of the issue and the stakes. I'd be surprised is Sydney AFL do not investigate and take appropriate action to ensure the club survives and that all their practices are above board.

The players & supporters involved on Sunday obviously felt hopeless and that this was the best course of action to invoke change. In the short-term, hard to argue that it hasn't worked. Time will tell.

[Tiges]

Absolutely UTS batman.

The protest was not about defiance or arrogance, it was about desperation to save a club and hopefully lead to the removal of rogue administrators that have been bringing the game into disrepute, and turning people away from the sport.

Your point of view on this is appreciated

[Ancient Tiger]

UTS Batman, you pretty much summed up the desperation that these players and supporters were facing due to the hopeless situation they face.

I can personally attest to how awful the playing group feel about having to take this action, and unfortunately the extreme actions were the only way to bring the appropriate attention to the root of the issue.

You are right, time will tell with the outcome. If the AFL don't support the players after the information they receive, then the sport deserves dodgy administrators who are there to serve themselves, and are not there for the benefit of the players and the game itself.

[ScottH]

I don't know who the people involved are. The Dockers committee details were removed from their website in February 2013.
I guess if people don't know who the committee is, it makes it easier to be unchecked and unaccountable.

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Sorry. another post that went into auto moderation.
Quoting so others can see the post.

[Tiges]

They were removed this week Brett. I saw the details I believe as late as last week when I was looking at the constitution (which was also removed - again in violation of their constitution)

[chatovadafloor]

any players or current board turn up to training this week?

[floppinab]

I don't know who the people involved are. The Dockers committee details were removed from their website in February 2013.
I guess if people don't know who the committee is, it makes it easier to be unchecked and unaccountable.

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Come on you guys, you need to learn the interwebs a bit better!!!!

Committee

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:GjgFLR1hChcJ:www.balmaindockers.com.au/contacts/constitution.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au&client=firefox-a

[zik]

All players eligible for selection attended training this week as per normal. Those players who walked were asked to keep away from the club for this week. The playing group conducted their own meeting last night after training (away from the board and club) to host a discussion around the situation.

[chatovadafloor]

Boycott season next... Then board look like fools... Probably not right but who knows... Gotta love the former umpire in middle of this