Former Supreme Court judge to investigate Eagles

[Oh When the Saints]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/ ... 61,00.html


THE West Coast Eagles will be subject to an extraordinary probe by a former Supreme Court judge, the AFL has just announced.

Justice E William Gillard, QC, will take the role of Special Investigator to determine whether the club is effectively dealing with player behaviour problems that have devastated the image and reputation of the game.

Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou have told West Coast chairman Mark Barnaba and CEO Trevor Nisbett that the Special Investigator will have wide-ranging powers to compel anyone associated with the club to answer questions or provide documents.

In announcing the appointment of Justice Gillard as the Special Investigator, Mr Fitzpatrick said, "Earlier this year, following a series of incidents of concern to the Commission, the West Coast Eagles management and player leadership group appeared before the Commission.

"At that meeting in April, the West Coast Eagles outlined a series of initiatives they had been undertaking since becoming aware of the issues of concern, as well as further initiatives that they planned to put in place.

"The AFL Commission recently decided that the most suitable way to assess whether these initiatives had been properly put in place and were having the desired effect was through an investigation by an appropriately experienced and qualified person who would be appointed as a Special Investigator"

"Justice William Gillard has been appointed as AFL Special Investigator under the AFL Regulations, and we will receive his report and recommendations in due course.

"The West Coast Eagles, its players and officials are required to fully co-operate with the Special Investigator.

"The Special Investigator can exercise the powers of the Commission to request persons to attend meetings with the Special Investigator, and to request from any person such documents or information which the Special Investigator is satisfied are relevant to the investigation ," he said.

As the AFL's Special Investigator, Justice Gillard will be asked to;

ASSESS the culture and behaviour of Eagle players;

INVESTIGATE the Eagles' on-field leadership group to determine how effective they had been in improving club culture and player behaviour.

DETERMINE how effective the Eagles have been in changing club culture and player behaviour since April when they announced a range of strategies to act on the problems.


REVIEW the effictiveness of the club's senior management in tackling poor off-field player behaviour.

The bombshell announcement came as mystery surrounded the return of disgraced Eagle Ben Cousins who today flew into Sydney after a brief stint of drug rehabilitation in the US.

Cousins today flew into Sydney, where he would continue his rehab before returning to Western Australia, Perth radio station 6PR said.

The one-time AFL star was last month sacked by the Eagles after a string of off-field incidents.

He flew to Los Angeles for a second stint of rehab on October 25.

One theory is that he has returned to attend an AFL tribunal which will decide his future in as a professional footballer.

[saintsrus]

About time, this needed to happen

[stinger]

rather them than us...but i agree ...about time......

[Eastern]

Not footy related but is Justice Gillard any relation to Julia? !!

[riccardo]

Is this how the AFL can get a team on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the Kangaroos?

Surely they can't take thier licence away, (despite the enjoyment we would derive from that).

[BAM! (shhhh)]

Is this how the AFL can get a team on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the Kangaroos?

The AFL won't be moving the 2nd most profitable team in the league (behind Adelaide) regardless. Resolving this well is more important to the AFLs bottom line than a Gold Coast team or any resolution to the Kangaroos financial problems.

(I recognise you probably knew this, but seemed worth pointing out)

[riccardo]

Is this how the AFL can get a team on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the Kangaroos?

(I recognise you probably knew this, but seemed worth pointing out)

No need to point it out, my tounge was firmly planted in my cheek.

That was my Garrett moment for the week I guess.