O'Grady Out for Season?

[offtheball]

Just heard on the news Paul O'Grady has been found guilty of high range DUI. No surpries there.

It went on to say in a double blow he will most likely require further surgery and could miss the whole season.

He has played a total of 18 games from a possible 60.

[skilbeck]

thats not good at all. lets hope he recovers quickly but it should provide boogaard with some games this season

[Ursus]

I will be curious to see the club's response to both these pieces of news.

Would they be justified in tearing up his contract?

For his sake, I hope not.

From the club's position, I would not blame them.

[omni]

I think he'd get a pretty severe reprimand, but not sacked.

[skilbeck]

i get the feeling that theyve already done what they were going to do in terms of a punishment and i get the feeling that he wouldve pleaded no contest and informed his plea to the club months ago

[Auburn Mariner]

Enough.

Since when does going DUI ONCE give a footy club the right to sack players? This absolute BOLLOCKS about footballers being role models has to stop.

Why do the brainless, grog-addled media in this country put professional sportspeople on a pedestal? Why don't you look at teachers, PARENTS, doctors, dentists as your so-called role models?

Footballers are footballers first, second & third. Expecting them to be saints is as ridiculous as it is impossible. As an example, the way Alan Didak has been treated by the stupid Victorians seems, from the outside, to be quite overblown and extraordinary. There was some indication on Fox tonight that we have not heard all of the Didak story, yet.

Footballers train & play hard, and are entitled to go out like everyone else in a democratic society. I admit Stringers should have called 131 008, but any talk of sacking him is complete bull__it. I hope he is OK, gets onto the field and smashes them in V3. I, for one, think he's a good bloke and a good player who made an error of judgment.

Look, I reckon he gets the same treatment as anyone else who goes DUI; "You're a bloody idiot, anything I can do to help, mate?" By the way, you cannot plea "no contest" in Australia, that's an American plea.

[bobandbill]

I doubt that he would be ssacked - the club, stringers, everyone knew this was coming. It's been discussed in it's seperate thread even. The club said they won't sack him then, so why would they now?
Hope his injury is not serious and he can play some games in the season - I for one rate him as a good defender. And he scores goals too, what with his height advantage during corners

[marinermick]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeagletooooooooooooooooooon!!!!!!

[offtheball]

Where is Eagleton now? Is he officially a free agent?

[marinermick]

offtheball said:

Where is Eagleton now? Is he officially a free agent?

playing in the local newcastlle league

he is not contracted so a free agent

[offtheball]

Should be a no brainer. I thought it was before the injury cloud over O'Grady!

[marinermick]

offtheball said:

Should be a no brainer. I thought it was before the injury cloud over O'Grady!

$$$$$$$

may not be an issue now

[travellingman]

AuburnMariner, what some of the esteemed media folks get up to afterhours would be enough to have footballers of any code suspended! Drugtest the journos and see what you get.
The club has known OGrady was in for the gulty verdict....theyve had to deal with it since the start of this year. I guess they've held off any sort of punishment against him until the verdict comes down, that's the way it works in most other workplaces.
Is OGrady injured? I saw his name mentioned in these pre season trials and thought he was good enough to get back onto the field. 18 out of 60 possible games aint a good stat is it?
Maybe, like Owens, he needs minor corrective surgery and he'll be back before you can say "sobriety is the spice of life".

[Jesus]

I would think it would depend on O'Grady's contract. Clauses and such.

[marinermick]

jesus said:

I would think it would depend on O'Grady's contract. Clauses and such.

absolutely

i can't agree with auburn's sentiments

the club i presume would have every right to sack a player who has recorded a criminal conviction, harmed the reputation of the club, endangered the community in which the mariners have so successfully connected with (lucky he did not hit anyone else), and jeopardised the relationship with a major sponsor

people make mistakes but this one is a howler - reckless and irresponsible

in saying all this i believe the club has taken a measured and sensible approach and in its media relations averted a major backlash

heck the CCE got more publicity than this incident!

[Auburn Mariner]

This thread is why I like this forum. There are a lot of differing opinions here, and they are being published, which is great.

I do not back away from my statements. I think that the placing of footballers on a pedestal is an inherently dangerous practice, with a high chance of failure.

In addition to Mick's post, I have received a few PM's expressing disagreement with my post. Fair enough.

May I put this question to you; when do footballers stop being footballers and become normal citizens? Do Paul O'Grady and his teammates have to adhere to the FFA & CCMFC Code of Conduct 24/7? Do they have to think of the game, the club, our sponsors, our fans, etc, ALL OF THE TIME?

You know what, sadly, I think that the general answer to the last two questions will be: YES.

[curious]

Why do the brainless, grog-addled media in this country put professional sportspeople on a pedestal? Why don't you look at teachers, PARENTS, doctors, dentists as your so-called role models?

Because by nature a pro footballer, any elite athlete or any celebrity for that matter is constantly receiving media attention, 99% of the time in connection with their profession. The public are'nt intertested in joe blow.
BTW.........There is a very high public expectation of teachers & parents & rightly so, after all, they are the first role model kids will mimic. However, sporting heros are idolised (wether they want to be or not) by kids & teenagers & will also have a influence on expectations of behaviour.

Footballers train & play hard, and are entitled to go out like everyone else in a democratic society.

Of course they are. They are also expected to follow the same rule of law & standards of behaviour. More so when a sporting celebrity has an awareness of public interest in any of their activities, both on & off the park.

[~Floss~]

Hmm, not sure which way to lean on this one.

In a way i agree with Auburn: employed as a player, valid drivers' licence is probably not a condition of employment and doesn't affect his ability to play.
...But then the injury factor may.

The media do put it in the spotlight, especially compared to how many times a week it happens in other codes.
...However, you can probably come up with examples of members of the media who's public reputation has been tarnished, who in a way are protected by an unwritten code of silence by fellow media members. Sometimes they are swept out of the public eye (sacked?), and sometimes they are not... because their "off-field" antics don't affect their ability to do their job

2 more points of Auburn's i'll agree with:
- it is a pity some parents can't be "sacked" for being poor role-models, when it is a huge part of their job-description! (unlike professional sportsmen)
- "Enough": Sacking is obviously an unlikely suggestion, not the fans' decision, and not what the fans want. I doubt the club are considering it, so i don't want to give them any ideas. (League players wouldn't get sacked for worse than this, they just make a statement to the media if they're copping too much criticism)

[Andy]

marinermick said:

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeagletooooooooooooooooooon!!!!!!

Is this a suggestion or a hint?

[marinermick]

andyj said:

marinermick said:

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeagletooooooooooooooooooon!!!!!!

Is this a suggestion or a hint?

both