The football fraternity's somewhat feeble response to a series of repulsive verbal attacks levelled at Carlton captain Marc Murphy does not reflect well on the game and its still clear default position regarding what happens verbally on the field.
It is simply not good enough for the AFL to avoid the issue all together using the excuse that no player wanted the incidents investigated and therefore there was nothing to see here.
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Wayne Carey: affair rumours have 'gone on far too long'
Wayne Carey responds to commentary linking him to the wife of Carlton's Marc Murphy, saying he's "never, ever, ever had a conversation" with her. (Vision courtesy 7mateâs Talking Footy)
This is not the attitude of the game's judiciary when a reportable incident of a physical nature takes place. Nor is the absence of any official grievance thrown up when a racial slur is levelled at a player whether it be from the crowd or, as used to be more customary, from an opponent.
What we do know is that Murphy is still furious at what he heard, his club chief Steven Trigg clearly disgusted and yet clearly according to the game's leaders there is a different set of rules when a sledge is sexist and not racist.
The Saints' heavily media managed response saw captain Jarryn Geary's public concession that some St Kilda players "probably overstepped the mark" with their foul personal sledging. Frankly this looked a little lame. The fact that various outlets were given access to Geary, and Fox Footy its regular access to coach Alan Richardson, and yet no senior club figure took the opportunity to hold the players to account was disappointing from a club that has come so far in terms of off-field leadership and culture.
The players' union were similarly off the mark. CEO Paul Marsh too used the lack of official complaint from either player and yet this stopped no one in authority from pursuing the recent attacks on Eddie Betts even though Betts himself voiced some discomfort.
Few club officials contacted on Monday agreed with Marsh's assessment that these incidents are isolated and extremely rare nowadays. But even if this is true it is no excuse to brush over this one by reasoning it doesn't happen often. No player should have to put up with such vile commentary regarding their families and no woman should feel her reputation is open slather in the heat of a male sporting contest.
Murphy made it clear late in the day how hurtful the escalating social media barrage has proved for him and his family. Players sometimes feel reluctant to point the finger but deep down appreciate the move by someone in authority off the field to do so.
No one could blame the Carlton captain for trying to protect his wife but this doesn't mean Marsh, Matt Finnis, Trigg or someone senior at AFL headquarters cannot take a stand on something so odious and inappropriate.
And yet when that golden opportunity presented, the opportunity was overlooked.
Subtle red herrings have punctuated the debate since Saturday afternoon including that Jake Carlisle too was sledged, along with the lack of official report, that no umpire heard it, that it's a rarity and so forth.
This does not sit well with many women who love the game. A game that has done so much to include women this year and yet after Saturday has demonstrated misogyny is alive and well on the playing arena. And when push came to shove the game did little to challenge it.
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