Drugs, sex and urinating ... 16 scandals that have rocked AFL and NRL
SEX, drugs and urinating: AFL and NRL football stars are known for their scandalous pasts. Here are 16 controversies that shocked the footy world.
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL stars are just as famous for their off-field antics as they are for their sporting prowess.
Sydney Roosters player Mitchell Pearce has just been stood down from training indefinitely after Nine’s A Current Affairaired footage of the player simulating sexual intercourse with a dog at an Australia Day party.
But Pearce is far from the first to land themselves in hot water. Here are some of the scandals that have shocked Aussie footy fans over the years..
DANE SWAN AND TRAVIS CLOKE
The only thing footy fans love more than a good doping scandal is a nude photo leak.
Naked selfies of Collingwood players Dane Swan and Travis Cloke, and former teammates Tony Armstrong and Lachie Keefe, were published in Woman’s Day magazine earlier this month.
The selfies were allegedly sent to women who were not their partners. St Kilda’s Jake Carlisle said it was “good to know that Swanny has got some room for more tatts”.
TODD CARNEY
His career has been plagued by off-field misbehaviour, including police chases, drink-driving urinating on nightclub patrons and setting a man’s pants alight at a New Year’s Eve party.
But it was the lewd ‘bubbling’ scandal that brought Carney’s career in Australia to an end, with his contract with the Cronulla Sharks cancelled. His agent claimed the photo was a “set up”, but the NRL’s CEO Jim Doyle said it was unlikely he would be allowed to register again in the future.
GEORGE BURGESS
Footy fans were shocked when nude selfies of the hunky Sydney Rabbittohs footy player appeared online on a gay porn website in July 2013.
The South Leagues Club did not take action against Burgess for the now infamous shots.
NICK RIEWOLDT
Nude photos of St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt were leaked online after a teenage girl gained access to defender teammate Sam Gilbert’s computer.
The photos, taken while on an off-season trip to Miami, also showed Zac Dawson semi-clothed and Nick Dal Santo in a compromising position
ANDREW JOHNS
After being arrested at a London Underground train station for posssessing an ecstasy tablet in 2007, Andrew Johns was dropped by the Wallabies. Then Johns admitted live on The Footy Show that he had regularly taken ecstasy throughout his career.
It was then revealed his drug use was the reason his contract with the Knights wasn’t renewed in 2004.
BEN COUSINS
Ben Cousins fled the scene when he was pulled over at a breath test in Perth, and resigned as captain of the West Coast Eagles. Then in December 2006 he was arrested for public intoxication after passing out at the front of Crown Casino in Melbourne.
Cousins then tested positive for drugs in March 2007 and was suspended indefinitely from the club. He was the subject of a documentary “Such Is Life: The Troubled Times of Ben Cousins”.
JOSH DUGAN
If you’re banned from drinking alcohol by your football club, it might not be the best idea to post a photo of yourself with an alcoholic beverage in your hand.
Except that’s exactly what the then-Canberra Raiders player Josh Dugan did, posting a photo to Instagram of himself holding a Bacardi Breezer while he was meant to be in rehab for an injury.
He then when on a Instagram commenting spree, telling a fan to “end himself”.
RYAN STIG
The Newcastle Knights star posted a homophobic rant to Twitter, leading to the club distancing themselves from the football star’s controversial opinions.
I am seeing more and more deceived Christian leaders and individuals commenting on #gaymarriage here's my thoughts pic.twitter.com/QcMiv7Y3HX
— Ryan Stig (@Ryanstig) October 22, 2013“I for one won’t succumb to the politically correct charade of it being a healthy lifestyle choice,” he wrote.
The club said they don’t support his views.
LIAM JURRAH
The Melbourne Demons star raised eyebrows when he was charged for attacking his cousin with a machete in an Alice Springs town camp.
Liam Jurrah was eventually found not guilty, but has been hit with a number of legal problems since then. But he has served three jail sentences for being violent against women since he quit the club in 2012.
BRENDAN FEVOLA
Another controversial football figure, Brendan Fevola’s career was full of off-field misbehaviour including stealing jackets, an extramarital affair with Lara Bingle, assaults, urinating on a window outside a Melbourne nightclub and flashing a woman during a football clinic.
His contract with the Brisbane Lions was finally cancelled after a drunken performance at the Brownlow Medal, and he was charged with public nuisance and obstructing police on New Year’s Day in 2011.
RICKY NIXON
Former football player turned agent Ricky Nixon became the subject of a controversy when a 17-year-old girl alleged she had an affair with him.
He was given a two-year suspension from the AFL Players Association Accreditation Board and released a book called My Side.
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS
Apart from a number of alcohol-related incidents early in his career, Sonny’s most famous scandal was when he was caught allegedly having sex with Australian model Candice Falzon in a hotel’s toilet in 2007.
Candice claimed nothing had happened. “It’s been blown out of proportion,” she said at the time.
The video was taken by witnesses, who slipped a mobile phone under the cubicle wall.
WAYNE CAREY
They were best mates when Carey crossed the line by sleeping with Stevens’ wife in 2002.
The pair were at a party for their teammate Glenn Archer, when Carey was discovered in the toilet with Stevens’ wife. He resigned from the club.
JAKE CARLISLE
The recruit was just a Saint for eight hours when a Snapchat video of him allegedly snorting cocaine was released.
He was banned from the first two matches of 2016, and forfeited his marketing contract worth $50,000.
GREG BIRD
After glassing his girlfriend in 2008, the Cronulla Shark player was found guilty and sentenced to 16 months; jail.
Although the sentence was overturned after it was found the incident was an accident, it cost him his contract with the club.
MATTHEW JOHNS
Johns was stood down by Melbourne Storm and Channel Nine in 2009 after it was revealed he participated in a group-sex incident while playing for Cronulla in 2002. The incident occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand after the team had played a pre-game match.
But he dismissed claims that the incident was not consensual. Police investigated the woman’s claims at the time but no charges were laid.
“Every time I looked up there would be more and more people in the room and there’s lots of guys in the room watching — maybe two or three were on the bed that were doing stuff to me,” she said.
To read more about AFL scandals, click here.
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