Swans show the way for AFL with firm action on Elijah Taylor

With one powerful move the Sydney Swans have shown they are prepared to do what the AFL and Collingwood have not.

Elijah Taylor has been stood down by the Sydney Swans Picture. Phil Hillyard

With one powerful move, the Sydney Swans have shown they are prepared to do what the AFL and Collingwood are not — take a tough stance on allegations of violence against women.

The Swans have stood down Elijah Taylor after he was charged with assaulting a woman. Sydney officials led by chief executive Tom Harley acted swiftly after it emerged the young star allegedly assaulted his former girlfriend Lekahni Pearce.

The Swans’s stance exposes the AFL’s deference to hide behind a so-called ‘Respect and Responsibility’ policy that has proven ineffective and inconsistent in these times.

While Taylor has been stood down from all club commitments, star Collingwood footballer Jordan De Goey has played on like nothing has happened.

De Goey, who has been charged with sexual assault of a woman, was best on ground on Monday in a match against the Gold Coast.

On Tuesday Gillon McLachlan released a statement that publicly supported the Swans stand down of Taylor – and abhorring violence against women – but that firm move brazenly contradicts their stance on De Goey.

The AFL have still said nothing about why they have let De Goey play.

Is it because De Goey is a gun footballer for the all powerful Eddie McGuire’s Collingwood? Have they let De Goey play on because he can literally turn a game on its head and win a final maybe even a grand final for the Pies?

Why do they let him play?

Rather than stating why, McLachlan has spent more time making it clear that the code would not be introducing a no-fault stand-down policy similar to the one in place in the NRL.

Which brings us to the NRL’s ‘no-fault stand-down’ policy and the AFL’s spin on it.

Behind the scenes the AFL has briefed journalists that under the NRL policy, De Goey would not be stood down.

That is not the case.

The NRL policy strictly states that any footballer charged with violence involving women and children will be closely scrutinised by the NRL chief executive (who can then use their discretion to stand down the player).

The Australian contacted the ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys to clarify the rule.

“Our rule says you are automatically stood down if the charge carries a sentence of 11 years or more — however if it is an allegation of violence against women and children that is left to the discretion of the NRL CEO,” V’landys said.

“Unless it is really exceptional circumstances, if it is an allegation involving a woman or child, it is most likely the NRL CEO will stand down the footballer.”

Which is what the Swans have done. If Taylor is found guilty of aggravated assault the maximum jail term is three years if dealt by a magistrate.

Taylor’s troubles this year had already seen him sidelined after breaching the strict COVID-19 bubble conditions. In a statement Harley, who’s management of the situation has been sensitive, swift and firm, spoke of the disappointment of having one of the club’s players in this position.

“As a result of the serious nature of these charges, coupled with Elijah’s failure to abide by club directives on a number of occasions this year, we have made the decision to stand him down from all club commitments immediately,” Harley said. “We will review this position as the situation unfolds.

“We believe this is the most appropriate course of action giving respect to all involved, and in light of the impending court proceedings.

“This is a difficult situation and one we will work with relevant experts and authorities to navigate.”

“The club, together with the AFL, will ensure Elijah and those involved receive the appropriate assistance and support.

“Finally I would like to reiterate that our club has very strong values, which include respect, tolerance and a condemnation of violence, especially against women. We expect everyone at our club to uphold these values without compromise.”

On Tuesday nearly 14,000 people had signed a change.org signature calling for the AFL to implement an NRL-style no fault stand down policy.

But that seems light years away consider the AFL won’t even address allegations of sexual harassment in their workplace. Last week the Herald Sun’s Michael Warner revealed claims of a “boys club protection racket” where a female AFL employee revealed her male boss had aggressively locked her in an office, pointed at her and screamed: “I am the f..king (position deleted) and I decide what you do.”

McLachlan has said that the AFL’s Respect and Responsibility policy is “victim-centric”. That the wishes of the victim making the complaint is “what drives our actions”.

The Sydney Swans have shown the AFL what victim-centric action really looks like.