[ad_1]
AFL 360 co-hosts Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson have been left disturbed and distressed by AFL great Eddie Betts’ recollections of the Adelaide Crows’ infamous 2018 pre-season camp.
Betts, in his recently-released autobiography, went into extensive detail about his experiences on the camp, which left him “exhausted, drained and distressed”.
Speaking on AFL 360, Whateley said the recollection was confronting.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
NEW FOX FOOTY PODCAST — Six polarising finals contenders, latest trade whispers
Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify
“I found it disturbing and distressing. I was quite taken aback by how shaken I was,” he said.
“Sam Edmund came in (on SEN) and read passages of the book to me this morning and it surprised me just how visceral my reaction to it was, which is a credit to the words. Then sort of battling waves of anger during the day about what was done and then what wasn‘t done.
“The flurry of releases that have come late in the day, Adelaide’s ham-fisted attempt at an apology, the AFL’s statement, which was lacking in any sense of regret or sorrow or commitment to action and the players association which seemed taken aback by the whole thing spoke of a culture of silence.
“Then there’s WorkSafe South Australia who if you take them at their word have endorsed what’s taken place here as reasonable action in the workplace. It’s a head-scratcher.
“I have found myself battling the waves of anger and worrying that not for the first time Eddie Betts might feel quite alone in all this.”
Co-host Robinson agreed, painting a grim picture of the AFL as a code.
“I found this another betrayal by footy to one of their Indigenous players,” he said.
“I think this day, this interview that‘s coming … I’m going to hold it up against Nicky Winmar putting his finger to his chest and Michael Long standing up at the MCG and the abuse and harassment of Adam Goodes.
“I think what Eddie Betts has done today will be marked in the history of this game and I think the game has betrayed our Indigenous group and an Indigenous player one more time.
“That’s not good for anyone.”
[ad_2]
Source link
