Families of Simon Lethlean, Richard Simkiss hidden victims of AFL scandal

YOU can’t feel sorry for AFL executives Simon Lethlean and Richard Simkiss, writes MARK ROBINSON. It’s always the innocent who suffer most.

Simon Lethlean from the AFL.

• Two bosses quit as sex scandal rocks AFL

THERE are never winners when affairs are exposed and families are ripped apart.

And always it’s the innocent who suffer the most.

You can’t feel sorry for AFL executives Simon Lethlean and Richard Simkiss, who admitted to having “inappropriate relationships’’ with younger women who work in the AFL industry.

And whether they were sacked or resigned doesn’t really matter.

You feel sorry for the wives of both men.

HOW TWO AWAY GAMES RUINED AFL CHIEFS:

SIMON LETHLEAN’S FINALS FROLICS STUN COLLEAGUES

RICHARD SIMKISS GOSSIP TRICKLE TURNS INTO FLOOD

Simon Lethlean has resigned as AFL football operations manager.

Lethlean is a father of four and the shame and hurt he has caused will be with him forever.

Losing his position at the AFL is the least of his problems. Not losing his family is his priority.

“I failed my wife, my family, my friends, my organisation and football by making the decision I have. I have hurt the people who are most important in my life and who I love,’’ Lethlean said.

Similar thoughts were expressed by Simkiss.

What can you say about the age-old issue of infidelity?

Two men with senior responsibilities within the AFL took advantage of situations presented and lost their jobs because of it.

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Yes, it takes two to tango, but Lethlean and Simkiss shouldn’t have been on the dance floor in the first place.

It’s about the abuse of power.

No complaints were made by the young women involved, but after the Herald Sun on Monday first revealed one of the affairs, there was only going to be one outcome.

Funny that. Respect and responsibility are buzz words only after the affair is revealed.

Lethlean and Simkiss now stand accused of being predators in the workplace.

They aren’t the first men to do so, and won’t be last, and clearly the price is high if you are exposed.

Simon Lethlean at Blundstone Arena earlier this year. Picture: Sam Rosewarne

The AFL’s position on respect and responsibility towards women is on the agenda and despite accusations the league has been tardy in addressing this important issue, which is in front of the AFL Commission as we speak, yesterday’s events show the AFL is acutely aware of its responsibilities.

“We are committed to the process of change,’’ McLachlan said yesterday.

“We understand our responsibilities to continue to improve our approach to these issues, and I know we still have work to do to hold the respect and trust of the community

“We want to continue to change the culture of our game.”

It’s been a horrible two weeks for the AFL.

They’ve lost three senior executives because of violence and now sexual misconduct and the image-conscious league should be embarrassed by the behaviour of their now-former employees.

The AFL will be criticised for what some people will say are cultural issues amid the boys club, but this of kind of scandal is hardly the sole domain of the AFL.