Graham Cornes on the 2018 Adelaide Crows training camp: It’s all about context

As inexcusable as parts of the Crows’ infamous camp were, its psychological toll on most players sounds benign compared with other clubs’ experiences, writes Graham Cornes.

It was a 10-second taunt about Eddie Betts’ relationship with his mother.

As described it is inexplicable and inexcusable, it is the one revelation of the “camp” in Eddie’s biography that can’t be explained away by context.

Because there is always context – two sides to every story – sometimes three.

Josh Jenkins provided his perspective in his bombshell revelations on Friday. The facilitator contracted to convene the module on resilience went off script with Eddie and obviously with Josh.

The confidential background information provided by the club about the players attending the camp was primarily about their performance.

The taunts were part of the program intended to build resilience in the face of adversity after the devastation of losing a grand final that they were favoured to win and in which they led at quarter time. The loss hadn’t been reviewed or addressed before the players broke for their post season leave and the pain was still obvious when they returned.

Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts celebrates a goal during a 2017 match in Adelaide. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty

They were described as a “broken group”. Hence the good intentions of the “camp”. But as the old saying goes: “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”.

Footy camps are rarely fun and they are definitely not for everyone. Free-thinking spirits like Josh Jenkins would definitely rebel against the psychologically-themed camps.

Most often, however, they are designed to tests levels of endurance and mental resolve; not unlike the programs to which our special military forces are subjected. But this one was different.

The club’s review of the 2017 grand final, difficult as it would have been, established that the failure could be attributed to three factors: leadership, resilience and connection. The brief given to the mindset training company that had worked with the team that season, was to develop a plan for a pre-season camp that would focus on strengthening the resilience and connection of the team.

The most sensitive component of the camp was always going to be that which involved the Indigenous players. Consequently, a local Bundjalung elder was brought in to perform the Welcome to Country, the smoking ceremony and sit in the sharing circles with players and coaches.

His use of the much-discussed “talking stick” was queried by one of the players who recognised it of his people. The query appeared to be satisfactorily answered after the ending of the camp.

Nevertheless, an ex-Crows Indigenous player requested an explanation and was supplied with a six-page report. No further action was taken or demanded.

There was no indication of Eddie’s pain. To others he participated enthusiastically, giving feedback to his teammates. He is seen smiling broadly in the team photos on the last day of the camp; he complimented the facilitators; at an AFLW match a couple of days after the players returned, he seemed positive when asked about the camp.

Josh Jenkins with Eddie Betts in 2018. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

He hid it well, although there were reports that Eddie was uneasy about aspects of his experience. Several appointments were made to connect and address his issues but in the end Eddie decided to move on.

Several weeks later he was voted out of the leadership group. His 2018 form was interrupted by a hamstring injury although he still kicked 29 goals as a small forward. The following year as the Crows continued to slide down the ladder, he was dropped to the SANFL in round 19, although he still kicked 37 goals for the season.

His time at Adelaide was obviously over and he returned to Carlton, where after an incredible 350 games he retired.

In those four years after the camp, as his football career inevitably waned, Eddie’s star continued to rise. He is now a respected media performer; has an assistant coaching role at Geelong, the league leader; and he writes books. He has always been much loved.

It is now 2022 and the ramifications of that camp still reverberate, despite the multiple investigations that it has been subjected to. SafeWork SA, the AFL Integrity Unit, who conducted inquiries, were provided with all facts of the players’ processes and interactions, including Eddie’s.

The Adelaide Football Club also conducted its own review. Despite the experiences of some players, no industry standards were breached. In these investigations, the full context of the events has been examined and no further action is deemed necessary. Belatedly, the AFL Players Association announced this week that it would re-examine the camp. At the time it received no complaints from the players. What can be achieved now from this insipid response?

Graham Cornes at his home in Glenelg South. Picture: Stephen Laffer

So of course the critics again pile on, seeking the more sensational aspects without examining full context. Yes, players did have their phones taken off them during the days’ activities but they were returned at night. And because some players had expectant partners, they could ring home at any time.

The Richmond theme song was not played on an endless loop on the bus at the camp, it was played at Football Park by the coaching staff when none of the camp conveners were present. Exercises, such as the one where players are attached to an abseiling harness to participate in a tug of war against teammates are sensationalised and ridiculed without context or understanding.

Eddie was upset by an insensitive comment but compared to other camps where the players were in serious danger, this camp sounds so benign. Port Adelaide players still talk about the dangers of their trek up snow-tipped Mount Cook in New Zealand where a false step could see them slide to oblivion; or getting thrown from rafts into surging rapids.

Psychologically worse was the Star Group experience at Echunga where those with a fear of heights or claustrophobia were terrorised by some of the exercises. Nobody talks anymore about the Melbourne players who rebelled and refused to go again after their brutal camp in 2017. They had to hand in their phones and were tortured with sleep deprivation, tough physical tasks and army style rations.

One player was concussed when hit in the head with a brick and another injured his knee. There was no Victorian media pile-on then. In 1993 the Footscray players parachuted into Port Phillip Bay! Is that not more dangerous? No criticism there. And while there was plenty of criticism of the Crows infamous firewalking exercise, the only fallout was ridicule of the coach who sanctioned it!

Surely now that Eddie has exposed his experience to the world the matter can be laid to rest. What more? Do players want compensation? There has been talk of a class action, which would be interesting as testimony would have to be given under oath. Multiple apologies have been offered. How many times can you say sorry and is sorry ever enough? There is no one left to sack who was directly involved.

Ironically the team that ran the camp, good men with good intentions, have endured far more than anyone from the Adelaide Football Club.

Perhaps the best outcome is that Eddie, now that his story has been heard, can finally find some peace of mind.