Lovett Caught Drinking

[Devilhead]

S.A Saint and St. Fid you two should definitely have more arguments

[Animal Enclosure]

There's been a fair amount of self righteousness in this thread to say the least.

A few thing from my point of view.

Lovett had been at a private party during his annual leave. It is not clear what he was doing when the police arrested him. Despite what some have suggested, being in a 'legless' state is enough to warrant some time in the tank to sober up.

A close friend of mine spent a harrowing night in a cell for being nothing more than a sleepy drunk, my friend by the way is one of the most conservative people you will ever meet.

Lovett has form no doubt. It is beyond debate that he has broken the level of conduct that is expected of AFL players.

Lovett was not sacked by Essendon. He walked out on them.

Last year Geelong went gangbusters to sign him but couldn't work out an adequate deal with Essendon. Essendon were not desperate to trade him.

He obviously likes a drink & on occasion goes to far.

The domestic violence case was disgraceful & for that reason alone he will never be a favorite of mine.

I look forward to watching him play as he's a jet & we haven't had one of them since Cuz was at his peak.

No doubt that Lovett will cop his right whack for this and will have to redeem himself in the eyes of his new teammates.

Let's get some perspective here though, he was out very late (or really early) and had had a skinful. Hands up any cleanskins here that have never done that?

Give the bloke a break FFS.

[Moods]

I mentioned the performance enhancing drugs b/c it was you that said you couldn't care less what our players did as long as they win games of footy... You hold W.C. up as a shining example of 'as long as they've got their flag nothing else matters.' Well out of that team came a confessed drug addict, and a couple of other problem children. They had to clear the joint out, and was probably a big reason why Judd left.

I never said YOU made Carey or Cousins what they are, but I did say it's ATTITUDES like yours that nurture it. Maybe if everyone didn't make excuses for Carey or Cousins early in their career and kept up the mantra that 'as long as they are getting a kick, everything's sweet' attitude then things may have turned out differently for them. Maybe you don't care how our players turn out. I say we can win a flag w/out the carry on. Not saying at all that they all have to be choir boys.

I wasn't a rap for the club recruiting Lovett - however it wasn't just the off field stuff that concerned me. I'm just not that sure he's as good as everyone makes out. Never finished top 10 in a bomber B&F and has been very inconsistent. However once the club has recruited him, I am prepared to back him as one of ours. Since we recruited him I have never said a bad word about him on here. I sure as hell hope that this is just a once off thing, but I reckon myself and plenty of others are entitled to be concerned about him given his history. I thought it was worth the punt on Gardiner as we got him for nothing, and if he got back to some form like last year - then we had nothing to lose. I still reckon Cousins is a good player in an ordinary team. Was a champion, but Lyon was spot on with telling the players if they thought he was going to win us a flag then they're kidding themselves.

I sure as hell would like to win a flag w/o our best players too embarrassed to front the team 10 years on like Carey. I reckon it can be done, and I reckon it is being done at the saints. I'm hoping all this publicity makes Lovett realise that 'it's not just a little thing in the off season' like you are trying to dismiss it as - b/c it's those attitudes which will cause more of the same.

[busso mick]

There's been a fair amount of self righteousness in this thread to say the least.

A few thing from my point of view.

Lovett had been at a private party during his annual leave. It is not clear what he was doing when the police arrested him. Despite what some have suggested, being in a 'legless' state is enough to warrant some time in the tank to sober up.

A close friend of mine spent a harrowing night in a cell for being nothing more than a sleepy drunk, my friend by the way is one of the most conservative people you will ever meet.

Lovett has form no doubt. It is beyond debate that he has broken the level of conduct that is expected of AFL players.

Lovett was not sacked by Essendon. He walked out on them.

Last year Geelong went gangbusters to sign him but couldn't work out an adequate deal with Essendon. Essendon were not desperate to trade him.

He obviously likes a drink & on occasion goes to far.

The domestic violence case was disgraceful & for that reason alone he will never be a favorite of mine.

I look forward to watching him play as he's a jet & we haven't had one of them since Cuz was at his peak.

No doubt that Lovett will cop his right whack for this and will have to redeem himself in the eyes of his new teammates.

Let's get some perspective here though, he was out very late (or really early) and had had a skinful. Hands up any cleanskins here that have never done that?

Give the bloke a break FFS.

I totaly agree with your sentiments Animal Enclosure. The jockeying for the apex of the high moral ground amongst our faithful is very competitive, to say the least.

To put it in perspective it has happened between seasons as a result of his birthday, which is far better than during the season proper when the real stuff starts. It will also give the Saints hierarchy a chance to draw a line in the sand and tell Lovett what is acceptable and what isn't. No doubt Lovett will be trying to impress being at a new club and this indiscretion should provide some more motivation to show us that he is fair dinkum and make amends with a great season for us.

Remember the devil incarnate that Michael Gardiner was supposed to be, and how he was going to corrupt our poor innocent boys? Well it didn't happen and I reckon that Lovett will also turn it around at the Saints. I thinks its time for a few people to have a deep breath and relax for the moment, maybe even have a quiet beer and gaze at their navel.

[Teflon]

He needs to be punished in the same manner Collingwood punsih their stars.

He needs to be forced to train and play the house down and possibly lose a few bob with a nice curfew or three attached.

One things for sure - this bloke better realise soon he has few chances left to stay in the game....talent or not,....hes damaged goods already and if a second AFL club burns him...that will be all.

[SainterK]

So has Lovett done anything wrong, as in bashed anyone/harmed anyone?

If not, if he was just a bit tanked and noisy, no big deal.

He'll cop a warning from our club - if he does it again during the pre-season maybe a few matches suspended, a third time and he'll be sacked IMO.

He may have not done anything 'wrong' in your book - but he has obviously acted in a way the club doesn't approve of and in a way that the police didnt approve of.

He got ample chances at Essendon - He was eventually sacked.

Whats that saying about history repeating its self and such.

And before the 'sky isn't falling' card is pulled out, and I and others are told to stop over reacting - Keep in mind that this player hadn't even completed a training session with our club yet until yesterday.

So his problems just vanished because he signed the dotted line at the Saints?

Sure it's frustrating, but to think that it won't be a bumpy ride (at least to begin with) with Lovett is just setting yourself up to be dissapointed.

The club took a calculated risk, and a risk is exactly that...

As you pointed out, he has not been exposed to our club culture yet, and he soon will be.

[plugger66]

There's been a fair amount of self righteousness in this thread to say the least.

A few thing from my point of view.

Lovett had been at a private party during his annual leave. It is not clear what he was doing when the police arrested him. Despite what some have suggested, being in a 'legless' state is enough to warrant some time in the tank to sober up.

A close friend of mine spent a harrowing night in a cell for being nothing more than a sleepy drunk, my friend by the way is one of the most conservative people you will ever meet.

Lovett has form no doubt. It is beyond debate that he has broken the level of conduct that is expected of AFL players.

Lovett was not sacked by Essendon. He walked out on them.

Last year Geelong went gangbusters to sign him but couldn't work out an adequate deal with Essendon. Essendon were not desperate to trade him.

He obviously likes a drink & on occasion goes to far.

The domestic violence case was disgraceful & for that reason alone he will never be a favorite of mine.

I look forward to watching him play as he's a jet & we haven't had one of them since Cuz was at his peak.

No doubt that Lovett will cop his right whack for this and will have to redeem himself in the eyes of his new teammates.

Let's get some perspective here though, he was out very late (or really early) and had had a skinful. Hands up any cleanskins here that have never done that?

Give the bloke a break FFS.

I am certainly not taking the high moral ground but I aint going to accept excuses from a person who has plenty of previous history. That is the difference between him and 99% of other players who in the same situation. Why use excuses like he was on leave. he plays a sport that requires great fitness and they had a 4km time trial 2 days later. Whould a professional athlete who gives his all do that?

Finally if it was Lenny Hayes we would forgive him because it would be a first offence. Sorry got that wrong Lenny just wouldnt do it.

[IluvHarvey]

Personally I couldn't give a s**t. It was before we started training he was celebrating his birthday. I have a mate who is a fringe player at another afl club who rang me about 3am Sat night and he was trashed all i could understand were the words "beer pong" but no-one cares cause he is not a high profile player. If he was like Lovett he would be hung out to dry as well. This should be a non issue.

[plugger66]

Personally I couldn't give a s**t. It was before we started training he was celebrating his birthday. I have a mate who is a fringe player at another afl club who rang me about 3am Sat night and he was trashed all i could understand were the words "beer pong" but no-one cares cause he is not a high profile player. If he was like Lovett he would be hung out to dry as well. This should be a non issue.

Has your mate been arrested before and is he starting with a new attitude at a new club? And one other thing was he arrested on saturday night?

[IluvHarvey]

Personally I couldn't give a s**t. It was before we started training he was celebrating his birthday. I have a mate who is a fringe player at another afl club who rang me about 3am Sat night and he was trashed all i could understand were the words "beer pong" but no-one cares cause he is not a high profile player. If he was like Lovett he would be hung out to dry as well. This should be a non issue.

Has your mate been arrested before and is he starting with a new attitude at a new club? And one other thing was he arrested on saturday night?

Yes to arrested before but no to on sat night, that is my point if he was a bigger name he probably would have been as the cops did have words to him and another mate for wrestling on a road (idiots i know but hey)

[SainterK]

Personally I couldn't give a s**t. It was before we started training he was celebrating his birthday. I have a mate who is a fringe player at another afl club who rang me about 3am Sat night and he was trashed all i could understand were the words "beer pong" but no-one cares cause he is not a high profile player. If he was like Lovett he would be hung out to dry as well. This should be a non issue.

Has your mate been arrested before and is he starting with a new attitude at a new club? And one other thing was he arrested on saturday night?

P66, normally you are the defender of everyone, I am getting the vibe that you're truly not happy about this? I realise that his first impression has not been a good one, but if any leadership group can have a shot at turning this guy around...

[plugger66]

Personally I couldn't give a s**t. It was before we started training he was celebrating his birthday. I have a mate who is a fringe player at another afl club who rang me about 3am Sat night and he was trashed all i could understand were the words "beer pong" but no-one cares cause he is not a high profile player. If he was like Lovett he would be hung out to dry as well. This should be a non issue.

Has your mate been arrested before and is he starting with a new attitude at a new club? And one other thing was he arrested on saturday night?

P66, normally you are the defender of everyone, I am getting the vibe that you're truly not happy about this? I realise that his first impression has not been a good one, but if any leadership group can have a shot at turning this guy around...

Im more pissed off that people are making excuses for him. He was always going to be a risk and I still think we can turn him around but I really do wonder if he wants to change.

[bigcarl]

I still think we can turn him around but I really do wonder if he wants to change.

yep, the club can help and support, but the real change has to come from him.

[IluvHarvey]

Personally I couldn't give a s**t. It was before we started training he was celebrating his birthday. I have a mate who is a fringe player at another afl club who rang me about 3am Sat night and he was trashed all i could understand were the words "beer pong" but no-one cares cause he is not a high profile player. If he was like Lovett he would be hung out to dry as well. This should be a non issue.

Has your mate been arrested before and is he starting with a new attitude at a new club? And one other thing was he arrested on saturday night?

P66, normally you are the defender of everyone, I am getting the vibe that you're truly not happy about this? I realise that his first impression has not been a good one, but if any leadership group can have a shot at turning this guy around...

Im more pissed off that people are making excuses for him. He was always going to be a risk and I still think we can turn him around but I really do wonder if he wants to change.

what was he arrested for? just being drunk or did he do something else? I believe there has been other issues before with violence, did this happen again?

[PJ]

Dear Madge I'm really upset about the man in 37 he's been acting a bit weird lately do you think I should call the police or perhaps the methodists?

Was anyone actually there? Football people, football!

[IluvHarvey]

Dear Madge I'm really upset about the man in 37 he's been acting a bit weird lately do you think I should call the police or perhaps the methodists?

Was anyone actually there? Football people, football!

Clearly the methodists

[SainterK]

Personally I couldn't give a s**t. It was before we started training he was celebrating his birthday. I have a mate who is a fringe player at another afl club who rang me about 3am Sat night and he was trashed all i could understand were the words "beer pong" but no-one cares cause he is not a high profile player. If he was like Lovett he would be hung out to dry as well. This should be a non issue.

Has your mate been arrested before and is he starting with a new attitude at a new club? And one other thing was he arrested on saturday night?

P66, normally you are the defender of everyone, I am getting the vibe that you're truly not happy about this? I realise that his first impression has not been a good one, but if any leadership group can have a shot at turning this guy around...

Im more pissed off that people are making excuses for him. He was always going to be a risk and I still think we can turn him around but I really do wonder if he wants to change.

A calculated risk, so yep the club thinks it has a chance to make it work.

No excuses though, I agree with you there...excuses won't get him far, admitting the problem and wanting to fix it will be what the clubs looking for.

I don't drink at all, so I don't really understand much, but I am sure the club has qualified people to help players through this kind of thing.

[PJ]

but the real change has to come from him.

Sorry but this is sounding a bit evangalistic - he is a footballer - are we talking pentacostal salvation?

Perhaps he's trying to chalk up some bad demerits so that everything is up from here.

[bigcarl]

but the real change has to come from him.

Sorry but this is sounding a bit evangalistic - he is a footballer - are we talking pentacostal salvation?

no, far from it. i'm a confirmed athiest.

what he does in his spare time doesn't bother me in the slightest, so long as he 1) doesn't hurt anyone else, 2) bring discredit on the club or 3) limit his effectiveness as a footballer.

in this case my concern is about point No 2.

but as someone who has had substance abuse problems (which he has form for) i know what it takes to beat them (which i have done). and if he does want to change, the club cannot do it for him.

[Spinner]

So has Lovett done anything wrong, as in bashed anyone/harmed anyone?

If not, if he was just a bit tanked and noisy, no big deal.

He'll cop a warning from our club - if he does it again during the pre-season maybe a few matches suspended, a third time and he'll be sacked IMO.

He may have not done anything 'wrong' in your book - but he has obviously acted in a way the club doesn't approve of and in a way that the police didnt approve of.

He got ample chances at Essendon - He was eventually sacked.

Whats that saying about history repeating its self and such.

And before the 'sky isn't falling' card is pulled out, and I and others are told to stop over reacting - Keep in mind that this player hadn't even completed a training session with our club yet until yesterday.

So his problems just vanished because he signed the dotted line at the Saints?

Sure it's frustrating, but to think that it won't be a bumpy ride (at least to begin with) with Lovett is just setting yourself up to be dissapointed.

The club took a calculated risk, and a risk is exactly that...

As you pointed out, he has not been exposed to our club culture yet, and he soon will be.

I am just not as ignorant as some to think it is a complete non-issue.

Isolated, it seems like nothing - But with his history, his motivations - heck, if there was ever a time to not f*** up it would be the period between being traded and playing your first game. He has no runs on the board and is still capable of this.

The other players are there to play professional football. This turning around crap is an excuse because the bloke can play the game.

He is a risk - and one that I am excited to see....But hell mate pull your f****** head in.

[S.A Saint]

im pretty sure when we recruited gardiner this place went up and when we thought about recruiting cousins that there were people saying they would tear up memberships etc due to the problems they have off the field...

i might have exaggerated it a little, but there was a massive up roar over the players and why we should not take them due to our so called good culture...

Well, well...

exaggerated it a little... again just how can you claim that EVERYONE worries about recruiting angels off the field...

I am pretty sure that a good deal of that debate was whether he can make it back and play a match or two...

Yes, I am glad the Club did not recruit Cousins and I stick by the Club on that issue.

and i for one wish they had recruited him as was seen that his performance on and off the field this year would have benefited us..

off topic but how exactly...

McQualter may not have played as many games...

posters have claimed that Cousins would have won as the Premiership this year if he played in the GF....

McQualter kicked 22 goals 7 behinds this year

Cousins kicked 5 goals 3 behinds this year

I am wrapped with McQualter's progress this year and I hope that continues, yep I agree with the direction the Club is taking us.

You obviously have some issues with a decision or maybe two that this recent admin staff and coach have made

for one he would have brought a lot more exposure to the club and we would have had a few more thousand members because of it...

why mini?? he could have replaced eddy or dempster whilst also rotating through the midfield...he average 24 disposals and 3 tackles a game which would have been better than some of our players...it would also allowed dal lenny and joey more space as not all of them would have got a heavy tag....

mini had an outstanding season and i would not replace him with cousins and i do hope that he keeps improving as well...

i support the coach and the club 100% but that doesn't mean they are always right...

[St Fidelius]

im pretty sure when we recruited gardiner this place went up and when we thought about recruiting cousins that there were people saying they would tear up memberships etc due to the problems they have off the field...

i might have exaggerated it a little, but there was a massive up roar over the players and why we should not take them due to our so called good culture...

Well, well...

exaggerated it a little... again just how can you claim that EVERYONE worries about recruiting angels off the field...

I am pretty sure that a good deal of that debate was whether he can make it back and play a match or two...

Yes, I am glad the Club did not recruit Cousins and I stick by the Club on that issue.

and i for one wish they had recruited him as was seen that his performance on and off the field this year would have benefited us..

off topic but how exactly...

McQualter may not have played as many games...

posters have claimed that Cousins would have won as the Premiership this year if he played in the GF....

McQualter kicked 22 goals 7 behinds this year

Cousins kicked 5 goals 3 behinds this year

I am wrapped with McQualter's progress this year and I hope that continues, yep I agree with the direction the Club is taking us.

You obviously have some issues with a decision or maybe two that this recent admin staff and coach have made

for one he would have brought a lot more exposure to the club and we would have had a few more thousand members because of it...

why mini?? he could have replaced eddy or dempster whilst also rotating through the midfield...he average 24 disposals and 3 tackles a game which would have been better than some of our players...it would also allowed dal lenny and joey more space as not all of them would have got a heavy tag....

mini had an outstanding season and i would not replace him with cousins and i do hope that he keeps improving as well...

i support the coach and the club 100% but that doesn't mean they are always right...

So you are suggesting that.

1. The Club would have secured more memberships?
How would you know that?

2. That Cousins would have had the same average disposals this year if he played for the Saints??
How would you know that?

You state that you support the coach and the club 100% but that doesn't mean they are always right...

It also doesnt mean youre right as well

[saynta]

The more enlightened States and Territories have decriminalised public drunkenness. You simply get taken into protective custody until you are sober enough to get home under your own steam. No charges are laid and you don't end up with a criminal record, or in the case of Lovett, being publicly humiliated.

To avoid public humiliation

1) Dont get so pissed that the police take an interest in you
2) If you want to get that pissed and the police take an interest in you - don't by an AFL listed player.

Seems like this doesn't sink in with Mr Lovett.

You missed the point.

[ace]

The club statement has been removed (deleted) from the club's website.

One thing to be forced to make it but no reason to keep advertising it.
This is about marketing and creating the right image for club sponsors.

[S.A Saint]

im pretty sure when we recruited gardiner this place went up and when we thought about recruiting cousins that there were people saying they would tear up memberships etc due to the problems they have off the field...

i might have exaggerated it a little, but there was a massive up roar over the players and why we should not take them due to our so called good culture...

Well, well...

exaggerated it a little... again just how can you claim that EVERYONE worries about recruiting angels off the field...

I am pretty sure that a good deal of that debate was whether he can make it back and play a match or two...

Yes, I am glad the Club did not recruit Cousins and I stick by the Club on that issue.

and i for one wish they had recruited him as was seen that his performance on and off the field this year would have benefited us..

off topic but how exactly...

McQualter may not have played as many games...

posters have claimed that Cousins would have won as the Premiership this year if he played in the GF....

McQualter kicked 22 goals 7 behinds this year

Cousins kicked 5 goals 3 behinds this year

I am wrapped with McQualter's progress this year and I hope that continues, yep I agree with the direction the Club is taking us.

You obviously have some issues with a decision or maybe two that this recent admin staff and coach have made

for one he would have brought a lot more exposure to the club and we would have had a few more thousand members because of it...

why mini?? he could have replaced eddy or dempster whilst also rotating through the midfield...he average 24 disposals and 3 tackles a game which would have been better than some of our players...it would also allowed dal lenny and joey more space as not all of them would have got a heavy tag....

mini had an outstanding season and i would not replace him with cousins and i do hope that he keeps improving as well...

i support the coach and the club 100% but that doesn't mean they are always right...

So you are suggesting that.

1. The Club would have secured more memberships?
How would you know that?

2. That Cousins would have had the same average disposals this year if he played for the Saints??
How would you know that?

You state that you support the coach and the club 100% but that doesn't mean they are always right...

It also doesnt mean youre right as well

1. if you think that the club wouldnt have get more memebers then you are deluding yourself...did you see the amount of people that went to his training and followed him around...the exposure that the club could have got would have been enormous....

2. mate are you that stupid..why wouldn't he have the same amount of disposals..last time i checked he was still playing afl not golf...he averaged around the same at westcoast and what makes you think that he would suddenly drop off when playing for us...i can even argue the fact that he would have got more going by our season and the players having record numbers....

yep thats what i said that i support the coach and club and that they dont always make the correct decisions (take luke ball and his game time in gf for example he should have played more and the coach said he clearly got it wrong and should have used him more)

what makes you think that our membership numbers wouldnt have increased with cousins on board and the amount of exposure to the club??

some people i swear......