Brighton Bombers footballer and water boy banned one week by Adelaide Footy League for beer incident
All they wanted was a stubbie. But the Adelaide Footy League has cut off a player and drinks runner who cracked open a cold one on the field — barring them from this weekend’s game.
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There’s nothing wrong with a couple of mates having a beer at the footy — that is, unless you’re out on the ground playing.
Brighton reserves footballer William Cheesman-Dutton and water boy Tim Pearman learnt that lesson the hard way after cracking open a cold one and having a tipple during their match last Saturday.
The cheeky act may seem like a laugh but the Adelaide Footy League did not see the funny side.
The case of illegal hydration led to the pair copping a one-week suspension from the league following the division one reserves match at Brighton Oval.
Images of water runner Pearman, who is also a C grade player at the Bombers, and B grade player Cheesman-Dutton consuming the beer from a glass bottle were brought to the attention of the league.
They have each been stood down for bringing the league into disrepute while the club was also fined an undisclosed amount.
It’s hard to blame the boys for wanting a beer after a big day out on the ground but at least waiting until the final siren sounded would have been wise.
Critics might also excuse the water runner for simply performing his role to hydrate the player.
Under competition regulations, “alcohol or any drinks in glass are not permitted to be taken onto the playing field at any time” during a match. The widely respected rule is most commonly applicable to spectators at quarter-time breaks — but this week’s penalties prove players with a hard-earned thirst are not exempt.
Brighton’s B and C grade teams will also be unable to use water runners for this Saturday’s matches, outside of trainers for medical assistance.
Players will need to go to the bench to get a drink of water.
Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan said the incident was “a bad look”.
“The club has been fined though they are as equally embarrassed at the players’ behaviour as the league is annoyed,” Kernahan said.
“If their players need a drink (water) they can go to the bench to get it — in short if they want to behave like children, we’ll treat them like children.
“We try to find a balance between understanding our volunteers are trying have to fun and may be stretched but when it reflects on the league and its standards we generally take a little more interest.”
A Brighton spokesman said the players had accepted their penalty and the club had moved on.
“Whilst those involved may have thought it was some light hearted fun in the very late stages of a one-sided game, it’s a timely reminder to our members that we are part of a wider community and this doesn’t reflect well on anyone,” the spokesman said.
“It also serves as a reminder that in this modern age of phone cameras that people in general need to be aware there’s nowhere to hide.”
Brighton comfortably defeated Tea Tree Gully in the match, 15.19 (109) to 4.3 (27).
