As a woman passionate about AFL, I find myself questioning my place in the sport following recent troubling events. It’s been difficult to accept that allegations of sexual assault involving some Sydney Swans players are being discussed primarily as a significant setback for the team’s finals ambitions.
Five players have received sanctions from the AFL for the remainder of the season, independent of the ongoing police investigation. However, since the news broke on Monday, much of the early media coverage has focused on how these allegations could jeopardize Sydney’s chances this season.
One prominent commentator expressed his frustration, stating that his greatest anger stemmed from the possibility that the Swans players might lose their last opportunity to compete for a grand final. In this discourse, the voices of any alleged victims have been largely overlooked, as analysts express concern over how “threatens to derail Sydney’s season” the situation is for the “have found themselves in this situation”
Framing the Discussion
When I publicly addressed these concerns, many men quickly defended the way the situation was framed, suggesting that commentators were limited in what they could legally say. In truth, that reasoning feels like a cop-out.
The deep despair that many women are experiencing doesn’t stem from a desire to rush to judgment against these men before law enforcement concludes its investigations. We respect the legal process and understand that the players should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. We also don’t expect sports journalists to be experts on Australia’s widespread issue of violence against women or to assign blame prematurely.
The Need for Empathy
However, we do expect a minimal level of human empathy. We anticipate that allegations of sexual assault won’t be minimized to a mere footnote in discussions about lost sporting potential. We expect not to see these allegations portrayed as a mere inconvenience for the AFL finals series—implying that the timing of a sexual assault investigation would have been more acceptable during round three or in the off-season.
We also expect not to hear the club’s chief executive express disappointment that his players “serious questions about what and who we continue to celebrate as a league.” framing them as unfortunate victims of circumstance rather than responsible adults capable of making their own choices.
When Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich addressed the media on Monday, he could have shown compassion for the women involved without compromising the presumption of innocence. He could have clearly stated that violence against women would not be tolerated at his club and that serious actions would be taken if any wrongdoing is uncovered.
Community Response
He could have recognized that many of his club’s female players, supporters, and staff might be distressed and emphasized the necessity of a culture where women feel safe and valued. Unfortunately, he did not say any of those things. With few exceptions, neither did most men within the AFL community, who typically have opinions on a variety of topics.
Once again, it was left to the women in the AFL community to speak out against a culture that has historically prioritized its male heroes. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has since called for respect and privacy for the woman who reported the allegations to the police, while the Swans acknowledged that the situation affects more than just the players.
Commentators are gradually beginning to recognize the woman at the center of these allegations and the broader impact on women. But why did this acknowledgment take so long?
As former AFLW star and Triple M commentator Kate McCarthy pointed out, the fact that former Geelong player Sam Newman remains celebrated in the Australian Football Hall of Fame after trivializing the experience of a woman raped by AFL sports agent Ralph Carr should prompt serious questions about whom and what we continue to honor as a league.
Newman’s remarks came as former West Coast star Ben Cousins embarked on a media tour to promote a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Cousins, who previously served time for aggravated stalking and violating restraining orders, is now associated with Channel 7 and has been praised for his efforts at redemption.
When a man holds value for the game, football always finds ways to rehabilitate his image and safeguard his legacy. Unfortunately, the stories of the women who suffer as a result are frequently forgotten or simply disbelieved.
Journalists play a crucial role in determining whose experiences take precedence and shaping public perceptions on complex issues. As a former health journalist involved in developing guidelines for the responsible reporting of mental health and suicide, I am keenly aware of how damaging careless language can be.
The reporting surrounding the Sydney Swans case has highlighted the urgent need for training among journalists, commentators, and AFL leaders on discussing sexual assault in ways that do not downplay violence against women or erase it entirely.
Until the safety of women is valued equally to the commercial interests of the game and the sporting success of its male athletes, there can be no genuine sense of belonging for us in football.
- Jill Stark is a Melbourne-based writer and podcaster.
- Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse is available from various organizations. In Australia, support can be accessed through Full Stop Australia (1800 385 578). In the UK, Rape Crisis provides support at 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers assistance at 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html.
