Graham Cornes: Sam Powell-Pepper is paying too high a price for a few too many
SAM Powell-Pepper is paying a disproportionately severe cost for what is society’s problem just because he is an AFL footballer, writes Graham Cornes.
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SAM Powell-Pepper came into our family’s life towards the end of last year. One of a group of Port Adelaide’s rookies who was staying at my son’s house, he came several times for a home cooked meal. At the time he was not yet 20, a second-year rookie among the newbies who had just been drafted. He was the older, wiser head. Softly spoken, polite and engaging, he immediately became a favourite of my two younger daughters. While it is true that a complete picture of character cannot be formed over a meal when a young man is on his best behaviour, those first impressions are indelible.
A young man whose youth had not been easy, football was his great opportunity in life and he seized that opportunity with a determination that was obvious in his fearless approach to the contest. He was on a fast track to an elite AFL career. One night out, too much alcohol, inappropriate behaviour (although disputed) and his great opportunity is precariously balanced. His life, as well as his football career, has been turned upside down by accusations of impropriety by a young lady who obviously has been offended by what she believes was inappropriate contact.
Despite the lack of any obvious evidence, he may very well be guilty of the accusation but it clearly is not the hanging offence it has become. Why else would the young lady go to Channel 7 instead of going to the police? Why would she go to the media instead of trying to resolve it first with the Port Adelaide Football Club? And don’t blame the media. Sensational stories of footballers are always going to leak out.
Of course, the AFL had to become involved and its powerful Integrity Unit investigated the accusations. It’s not unfair to say that this unit, with its 15 full-time staff, four medical consultants and nine casual security officers has blundered through an inquiry at a snail’s pace to compile its report, the full details of which it won’t release to the Port Adelaide Football Club. The club, which has reviewed all available security footage disagrees vehemently with the Unit’s findings but really has no choice to accept the AFL imposed ban on Powell-Pepper. President David Koch and chief executive Keith Thomas have engaged in open warfare with the AFL to defend their player. They would not do that blindly if there were evidence that Powell-Pepper had seriously transgressed. Besides, the AFL seems to have been much more severe on Powell-Pepper than Nathan Broad, or Dustin Martin, or even the hapless Matthew Jaensch.
Sam Powell-Pepper is as much a victim as the young lady is. The #MeToo movement while calling out and uncovering serious offences of sexual abuse and persuasion has empowered more and more women to speak out if they feel they have been offended. However, as with any reform, the pendulum can swing too far. Powell-Pepper is paying too severe a price for what is society’s problem just because he is an AFL footballer. And there are double standards in play here.
I have an older daughter who is yet to meet Powell-Pepper, but she and her friends would often frequent Mr Kim’s, the nightclub where the alleged incident took place, as well as other popular nightspots. Yes, they were often patted, pinched or grabbed on the bum (although not as offensively as in Europe from where she has recently returned). However, the reverse often applies as some women would grope the boys as well. Who does a young man turn to if he has been groped? What is also obvious is that some women unashamedly throw themselves at footballers. Is it because they are famous or just because they have a high disposable income?
There is an old wives’ tale that you can never really know a man until you see him drunk. True, but Sam Powell-Pepper has been treated much too harshly for his overindulgence.
Originally published as Graham Cornes: Sam Powell-Pepper is paying too high a price for a few too many
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