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Sydney Swans take tough stance on allegations of violence against women; Elijah Taylor stood down by club

When it comes to influence and power, the AFL and Collingwood sit at the top of the table, but the Sydney Swans’ decisive action against allegations of violence against women has them firmly in the rear-view mirror.

Jordan De Goey made his return for Collingwood on Monday night despite being on police charges for alleged indecent assault. Picture: Getty Images
Jordan De Goey made his return for Collingwood on Monday night despite being on police charges for alleged indecent assault. Picture: Getty Images

With one powerful move, the Sydney Swans have shown they are prepared to do what the AFL and Collingwood are not — take a tough stance on allegations of violence against women.

The Swans have stood down Elijah Taylor after he was charged with assaulting a woman. Sydney officials led by chief executive Tom Harley acted swiftly after it emerged the young star allegedly assaulted his former girlfriend Lekahni Pearce.

The Swans’s stance exposes the AFL’s deference to hide behind a so-called ‘Respect and Responsibility’ policy that has proven ineffective and inconsistent in these times.

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While Taylor has been stood down from all club commitments, star Collingwood footballer Jordan De Goey has played on like nothing has happened.

De Goey, who has been charged with sexual assault of a woman, was best on ground on Monday in a match against the Gold Coast.

Elijah Taylor has been stood down from the Sydney Swans.
Elijah Taylor has been stood down from the Sydney Swans.

On Tuesday Gillon McLachlan released a statement that publicly supported the Swans’ stand down of Taylor — and abhorring violence against women — but that firm move brazenly contradicts their stance on De Goey.

The AFL have still said nothing about why they have let De Goey play.

Is it because De Goey is a gun footballer for the all powerful Eddie McGuire’s Collingwood? Have they let De Goey play on because he can literally turn a game on its head and win a final maybe even a grand final for the Pies?

Why do they let him play?

Rather than stating why, McLachlan has spent more time making it clear that the code would not be introducing a no-fault stand-down policy similar to the one in place in the NRL.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the league “condemns and abhors all forms of violence towards women”.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the league “condemns and abhors all forms of violence towards women”.

Which brings us to the NRL’s ‘no-fault stand-down’ policy and the AFL’s spin on it.

Behind the scenes the AFL has briefed journalists that under the NRL policy, De Goey would not be stood down.

That is not the case.

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The NRL policy strictly states that any footballer charged with violence involving women and children will be closely scrutinised by the NRL chief executive (who can then use their discretion to stand down the player).

The Australian contacted the ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys to clarify the rule.

“Our rule says you are automatically stood down if the charge carries a sentence of 11 years or more — however if it is an allegation of violence against women and children that is left to the discretion of the NRL CEO,” V’landys said.

Elijah Taylor's ex-girlfriend Lekahni Pearce. Picture: Instagram
Elijah Taylor's ex-girlfriend Lekahni Pearce. Picture: Instagram

“Unless it is really exceptional circumstances, if it is an allegation involving a woman or child, it is most likely the NRL CEO will stand down the footballer.”

Which is what the Swans have done. If Taylor is found guilty of aggravated assault the maximum jail term is three years if dealt by a magistrate.

Taylor’s troubles this year had already seen him sidelined after breaching the strict COVID-19 bubble conditions. In a statement Harley, who’s management of the situation has been sensitive, swift and firm, spoke of the disappointment of having one of the club’s players in this position.

“As a result of the serious nature of these charges, coupled with Elijah’s failure to abide by club directives on a number of occasions this year, we have made the decision to stand him down from all club commitments immediately,” Harley said. “We will review this position as the situation unfolds.

“We believe this is the most appropriate course of action giving respect to all involved, and in light of the impending court proceedings.

“This is a difficult situation and one we will work with relevant experts and authorities to navigate.”

“The club, together with the AFL, will ensure Elijah and those involved receive the appropriate assistance and support.

“Finally I would like to reiterate that our club has very strong values, which include respect, tolerance and a condemnation of violence, especially against women. We expect everyone at our club to uphold these values without compromise.”

On Tuesday nearly 14,000 people had signed a change.org signature calling for the AFL to implement an NRL-style no fault stand down policy.

Jordan De Goey was Collingwood’s best player in his comeback match on Monday.
Jordan De Goey was Collingwood’s best player in his comeback match on Monday.

But that seems light years away consider the AFL won’t even address allegations of sexual harassment in their workplace. Last week the Herald Sun’s Michael Warner revealed claims of a “boys club protection racket” where a female AFL employee revealed her male boss had aggressively locked her in an office, pointed at her and screamed: “I am the f. king (position deleted) and I decide what you do.”

McLachlan has said that the AFL’s Respect and Responsibility policy is “victim-centric”. That the wishes of the victim making the complaint is “what drives our actions”.

The Sydney Swans have shown the AFL what victim-centric action really looks like.

AFL HOLDS FIRM ON NOT INTRODUCING ‘NO-FAULT’ STAND-DOWN POLICY

By Lauren Wood

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the league will not be introducing a no-fault stand-down policy this year in the wake of criticism over Jordan De Goey returning to the field for Collingwood on Monday night.

De Goey, who is playing for the first time since injuring his hand against Geelong in Round 7, will face court on October 30 on an indecent assault charge that stems back to an alleged incident in 2018.

The NRL has a no-fault stand down policy in which players on serious charges carrying a penalty of at least 11 years are banned from taking the field.

McLachlan said on Monday night the AFL would continue to review its respect and responsibility policy each year.

Jordan De Goey in action against Gold Coast on Monday night. Picture: Michael Klein
Jordan De Goey in action against Gold Coast on Monday night. Picture: Michael Klein

He said the league “condemns and abhors all forms of violence towards women” and that its own respect and responsibility policy had been set up to primarily support victims.

“The Respect and Responsibility policy is deliberately victim-centric to ensure that the wishes of the person making a complaint are what drives our actions,” McLachlan said.

“Support and counselling is provided to all women making a complaint and — where appropriate — their families, and where any matter is a criminal matter, complainants are encouraged to go to police – and we support them through that process.

“The wellbeing of victims and support for all parties in any incident is our major concern and the review found that blanket media coverage was discouraging women coming forward which was the opposite of what we wanted.”

McLachlan said that the league’s respect and responsibility policy – which was launched in 2005 – had undergone “a major review” led by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins “several years ago” and was continually considered.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“The policy … is reviewed annually by the AFL Commission after discussions with management and clubs and feedback from all parties involved in our complaints processes,” he said.

“The decision to automatically stand down a player charged with a serious criminal matter has also been suggested but the AFL has decided – on balance – to leave the policy as is, given the presumption of innocence is also an important part of the justice system.

“We will continue to listen to those whose complaints are dealt with through this policy as well as the experts and we will continue to review the policy each year.”

A petition for the league to introduce a no-fault stand-down policy like its rugby league counterpart had on Monday garnered more than 13,000 signatures online.

De Goey would not be stood down under the NRL’s ruling, given the charges he will face court for on October 30 could not attract a penalty of more than 11 years in prison, as is required under the rugby protocols.

The league’s integrity team and Victoria Police investigated De Goey’s conduct in 2018 but no charges were laid, before he and another 24-year-old man were hit with charges in July.

OPINION: AFL BOYS’ CLUB, DE GOEY SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES

– Jess O’Halloran

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan’s legacy when it comes to women is under threat.

While McLachlan may have proved himself as an accomplished leader of the ultimate boys club in the land, when it comes to women, the CEO’s direction is, at it’s best, damaging.

Jordan De Goey, charged with indecent assault, is set play for Collingwood on Monday night and still the AFL CEO has said nothing.

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What do the AFL’s key sponsor, the National Australia Bank, who last year re-signed as the naming rights holders of the AFLW until 2022 on the back of advancing “gender equality”, make of McLachlan’s silence on the De Goey issue? And what do Collingwood’s sponsors, including CGU Insurance and LaTrobe Financial, think of it all?

While there’s been nothing but silence from the AFL on the De Goey issue, in the corporate world some of the giants of industry have fallen following their mishandling of serious allegations and complaints involving women.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has remained silent on Jordan De Goey’s charges. Picture: Getty Images
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has remained silent on Jordan De Goey’s charges. Picture: Getty Images

Last week QBE Group chief executive Pat Regan was removed after a complaint from a female employee led the board to find he had breached the insurer’s code of conduct. Last month AMP chairman David Murray resigned after the company was rocked by a series of sexual harassment complaints affecting senior managers, with allegations the company and its board of directors failed to handle them appropriately.

As the corporate world wakes up, the AFL is flat-out publicly ignoring major issues involving women.

Just days ago the Herald Sun’s Michael Warner revealed claims of a “boys club protection racket” where a female AFL employee revealed her male boss had aggressively locked her in an office, pointed at her and screamed: “I am the f**king (position deleted) and I decide what you do.”

There’s been no public statement from the AFL since these allegations came to light.

And where is the AFL Commission on all this? The leadership at the top of the AFL has gone missing on many levels. The AFL board is led by Richard Goyder, who also chairs Qantas and Woodside Energy.

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Therefore the question has to be asked: would Goyder feel comfortable if a Qantas or Woodside employee was up on a sexual assault charge and continuing working in those companies?

While McLachlan may have started the groundbreaking national women’s competition, the AFLW, which was more than admirable, when it mattered most of late he has failed to lead on the most confronting issues for women; a sexual assault allegation against a star footballer.

The NRL on the contrary has gone from strength to strength since introducing their no-fault stand-down policy, using their discretionary powers to sideline players on any charge of violence against women. When Manly’s Dylan Walker was facing a domestic violence charge, which attracted a two-year jail term, the NRL CEO used his discretion without hesitation to stand the footballer down.

But to understand why nothing has been said by the AFL, you’ve got to take a harder look at the machinations of the AFL’s boys club — which is as much about winning games as it is protecting the brand at all costs. The most powerful person in the AFL, aside from the CEO himself, is Collingwood president Eddie McGuire. A man with a lot to say on everything, he has been unusually quiet.

The failure of leadership by McLachlan, McGuire and Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson is in stark contrast to the actions of Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley last week.

Elijah Taylor has been questioned by police. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images
Elijah Taylor has been questioned by police. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

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Harley was dealing with the repercussions of the “extremely serious” assault allegations made on Instagram by Elijah Taylor’s former girlfriend. Harley didn’t go near the specifics of the allegations, which the AFL integrity unit is investigating — police have not laid charges against Taylor — but the Swans CEO showed how to lead.

In the hours after the allegation was made public, Harley fronted up and made a powerful general statement.

“What I can say and be absolutely unequivocal about is the condemnation of violence against women,” Harley said.

“From the Sydney Swans’ point of view, we have respect at the core of our values and we absolutely condemn any sort of violence against women, violence of any nature for that matter.”

It’s not politically correct to publicly abhor violence against women — it is common sense.

The AFL and many of its clubs have a tendency to hide behind policies and pledges. Deep, well-meaning gender equality pledges that aren‘t worth the paper they are written on.

The AFL don’t practice what they preach.

But that can change, there’s still time to say something and, even better, do something.

Gil found out about De Goey when everyone else did

Originally published as Sydney Swans take tough stance on allegations of violence against women; Elijah Taylor stood down by club

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/opinion-boys-club-silence-on-jordan-de-goey-indecent-assault-charges-puts-afl-boss-gillon-mclachlans-legacy-under-threat/news-story/03d7513d7364519581d46c40d7aa479e