Balmain Players Walk Out of Match v Wests - Match Abandoned

[Tiges]

https://www.facebook.com/balmainafc

Things are getting very serious down at Balmain and set to boil over this weekend.... see page attached!

[Coastal Boy]

The dramas and walk off today at Henson is unbelievable.
My phone began ringing hot and I live 100km away!!!
I don't know if it's their democratic right to protest in this way ........or a disgrace from those involved.
Wow!!!!!

[Steamboat]

Was out at Henson today and the way they went about getting their message across, was an absolute disgrace.the tigers and dockers should form their own competition and belt the tripe out of one another.who ever came up with that plan of action has no place being affiliated with any afl club.what a rabble.

[Tiges]

Today's events at Henson Park today were a result of the players/members calling for an EGM to rid the board, and the board refusing to comply with their own constitution to call a meeting. The players tried to negotiate with the board to split and they stopped negotiations and sacked the assistant coach.

The players followed protocol and were again let down by the people who are supposed to represent them. All avenues were attempted before it led to this. This issue is bigger than one abandoned game, 110 years of history from a foundation club has been compromised by the balmain board and these players were standing up for players/members rights when all avenues have failed.

They are heroes in my eyes, well done to these players and hopefully these drastic and unavoidable actions lead to a once great club going back to its' members...which is what it is supposed to be all about!

[Coastal Boy]

I acknowledge your situation.
But how will the walk off today assist your cause?
Who was the protest aimed to catch the attention of? Will this result in an EGM? Does the SydneyAFL have the power to intervene?

[The Student]

What is going to be the likely course of action from the AFL? I can't imagine they would be too happy - or are they keen for the current mgmt to get out as well?

[Tiges]

I wasn't involved with organising it, but I imagine it was to force an AFL investigation.... this has gone on far to long at balmain, and everyone in the league knows it has been a basket case of a club for the last 7 years, and know why.

When players are powerless to do anything when a board refuses to follow their own constitution, then this is the unfortunate result.

Clubs are supposed to be there for their players and that hasn't happened for a very long time down there.

[Steiger]

Has anything like this ever happened before?

The dramas and walk off today at Henson is unbelievable.
My phone began ringing hot and I live 100km away!!!
I don't know if it's their democratic right to protest in this way ........or a disgrace from those involved.
Wow!!!!!

[Norris Lurker]

I can't imagine the Sydney AFL people would be too impressed. And it's not fair on Wests - they'd turned up ready to play and got dragged into a dispute that's nothing to do with them.
There's been plenty of controversial moments in my time in Sydney footy. But this is probably the biggest scandal of the lot.

[Tiges]

As I said before Norris, this is bigger than one game, it is 110 years of history that has been compromised by the administration... what else can you do when all appropriate protocol has been followed by the players to have it thrown back in their face?

These players are fighting to save their club, and any player or true club man would respect this courageous move by these players, when all else had failed.

Sometimes the ends justify the means and from personal knowledge of the situation, I know this is the case. If an appropriate investigation is conducted then you will all understand why.

[Coastal Boy]

So the current board will now be forced to hold an EGM? Will public pressure ensure this? Did representatives of the "walk-off committee" approach the league for help first before they considered the actions of today? Did legal representation from members attempt to get an EGM? More questions than answers here.

[Steamboat]

As Norris posted,not fair on Wests to get dragged into Balmains in house rubbish, the people that travelled down from central coast to play for their club, wasted time, medical staff that will have to be paid for their time.who knows if this rubbish cost someone the phelan medal, or more than likely the prem div goal kicking medal.The league should use this as an excuse to bring up a club who has their house in order and boot Balmains Tigers Dockers from the competition once and for all.

[unconfuseme]

Let us know in advance if they intend pulling the same crap next week, will ya? ... I reckon the Saints players and supporters can find something better to do

Most people in the AFL community in Sydney other than those in your club, will acknowledge that "it's a shame", whatever it is that's going on (and it's been going on for a lot longer than 7 years), but really only have a passing interest. Start effecting the running of the competition, and they will be more interested, but certainly won't support you!

... and mark my words ... NO-ONE at the AFL could give a toss about the history of AFL in Balmain, unless it effects GWS in some way.

... talk to someone from Bankstown Sports Juniors if you doubt that.

[Coastal Boy]

Someone from the middle of all this at Balmain ought to put out a statement on the Sydneyafl website or even here. They wanted it all public so now's their chance. I want more info before I make judgement. We cannot forget that our society is built on the premise of free speech and this includes protesting. I hope they have a plan and didn't just do this without more thought.

[Norris Lurker]

I'm moving this to a new thread rather than in the rumours because it's not a rumour, it actually happened.

When there was a thread about a petition several weeks ago, I deleted it at the request of the Balmain club. But in light of yesterday's events, it's not something that can be ignored. When half of the senior team walk out on a game, people are going to want to talk about it.

Coastal Boy has suggested that people should put out a statement on the Sydney AFL website or even here. I'm happy to run statements from both sides.
But I will ask that, as I have neither the funds nor the desire to find myself embroiled in any legal action, that you avoid naming individuals in any way that would see me dragged into a defamation suit that would see my meagre worldly goods siphoned into the pockets of lawyers. And please ensure that any comments made are consistent with the Sydney AFL Code of Conduct and Statement on Electronic Communications.