Time is right for AFL player to come out as gay, says Joel Creasey

COMEDIAN and guest Confidential editor Joel Creasey says the time is right for an AFL player to come out as gay, and recalls his days at school with Buddy and Cuz.

THE time is right for an AFL player to come out as gay.

I think it would be great for the sport, especially since the AFL does such a great job at promoting tolerance and equality.

I wrote about my experience of sleeping with an AFL player in my book, Thirsty.

Joel Creasey is guest editor of Confidential. Picture: Nicole Garmston

JOEL CREASEY TELLS ALL IN THIRSTY

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We met at a party, we went home. I didn’t even realise he was an AFL player until the next day. But it didn’t surprise me. After hearing his stories, it made me realise how common place it is, being a gay player, within the AFL.

I’ve only seen him one since. He’s got a girlfriend now.

I knew I was gay when I was 12 or 13. The idea crossed my mind and I was like: ‘That’s a big thought. Let’s park that.’ A few months later, I had the same thought, and knew: “I’m gay.”

My parents were so supportive and accepting about it. I feel sorry for people where it takes them years to come out, or can’t do it.

The time is right for an AFL player to come out as gay, says Joel Creasey. Picture: AAP

Joel, Buddy and Ben make for famous alumni

Footy players are always the most popular people at school.

I know this really well because I went to the same high school as (Hawthorn and Sydney Swans player) Lance “Buddy” Franklin and (West Cost Eagles and Richmond player) Ben Cousins.

Yes, it was a posh private high school (Wesley College in Perth), but the only thing anybody would talk about was Ben and Buddy.

We’re all on the school’s Wikipedia page as notable alumni. It goes in this order: Ben Cousins, Buddy Franklin and Joel Creasey.

A young Lance Franklin.

Cousins in his early AFL days.

Spot the odd one out. Obviously, it’s Buddy and I because we haven’t been to jail.

Ben was leaving school when I arrived, and Buddy was a year above me. We didn't hang out, but I knew who they were. You couldn’t avoid it. Even then, before they played AFL, you knew they were going to be massive stars.

But I was a captain, too — of the drama club. There was no support for my club, or the arts, at my high school, and I really hated that.

Now they send out notices about the school’s drama program with my face on it.

I had to tell them: “No, no, no. Don’t advertise this place as some amazing arts college.” I literally built the sets for our Year 12 musical myself.

Kids were also scared of me because I was the editor in chief of the school newspaper.