North Shore Football Club uses DV-accused player Joseph Salmon to promote its upcoming Ladies Day
A GFNL player, charged with more than 30 domestic-violence related offences, has been used to promote his club’s upcoming women’s event.
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A Geelong football club is using a domestic violence-accused player to promote its upcoming Ladies Day.
North Shore’s Joseph Salmon, who is facing more than 30 DV-related charges, is continuing to play in the GFNL for the Seagulls, more than six months after allegations were first revealed by this publication.
Salmon was arrested, charged with 44 offences including 27 counts of aggravated assault, then appeared in Darwin Local Court on August 24, only to be bailed and play for the Seagulls two days later against Lara.
The matter returns to court next month.
However, Salmon has been selected by the Seagulls to again play the Cats on Saturday after also taking part in its season opener against Newtown & Chilwell, with the club using the Territory product to promote its April 20 women’s event.
On its Facebook page, the club is promoting its Ladies Day which aims to recognise the “proud women on Wadawurrung Country” by celebrating Indigenous art and the re-opening of a “$1.6m Wathaurong new Youth Centre/Hub”.
“We have ... Joseph Salmon and his brother Sam who are proudly wearing our blue and gold colours on the football ground, representing our club and the message that we are trying to instil in our community of the values we hold so proud,” the post read.
The promotion and Salmon’s continued selection has drawn the ire of anti-DV advocate and former VFA premiership player and broadcaster Phil Cleary, who said the AFL must step in following a perceived lack of a formal position from either AFL Victoria or AFL Barwon since Salmon played against the Eagles.
“If the AFL fails to address this question before North Shore’s planned 20 April Ladies Day it will have made a farce of its avowed commitment to inclusion, in this case the inclusion and safety of women in the AFL community,” Cleary said in a statement.
“If the AFL stays silent while a player facing serious charges of violence against a woman continues to play in an affiliated league it deserves our strongest condemnation.
“How can the AFL suspend a player for a homophobic slur one day and turn a blind eye to serious allegations of violence against a woman the next?”
Earlier this week, in a statement to this publication, White Ribbon Australia said Salmon’s continued selection for the Seagulls sent an “appalling message”.
OPINION: Local footy’s vexed issue on player welfare
In a statement to this publication on Thursday, an AFL Barwon spokesperson said it was in “continuing discussions” with North Shore about the “playing status” of Salmon, given the “very serious nature” of the allegations and charges he was facing.
“The club has chosen to select the player,” the spokesperson said.
“The player’s case is currently before the courts and the legal process will play out, and AFL Victoria will give due consideration to the outcome of that process.”
It comes days after AFL Barwon regional manager Ed Wilson said it was still working through the details of the matter.
Last year, AFL Barwon said it had not received any complaints following Salmon’s selection against Lara on August 26, but was working with the club on the matter.
In November, AFL Victoria said the AFL would have to approve any stand down of a player and only when that player was facing serious criminal offences, under its relevant policy.
Both North Shore Football Club and AFL Victoria have been contacted for further comment.
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Originally published as North Shore Football Club uses DV-accused player Joseph Salmon to promote its upcoming Ladies Day
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