A country football league has come under fire after an awards night host joked that a team could “manufacture a scandal” to spark a grand final upset, referring to the Sydney Swans’ recent win while the club is dealing with an investigation into alleged sexual assault claims.
Whyalla Football League historian Jock Sleep made the comment while serving as MC at the league’s annual medal presentation night in South Australia on Monday.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming grand final between Roopena and South Whyalla, Sleep suggested underdogs South Whyalla, known as the “Souths”, might look to the Swans for unlikely inspiration.
“After the big Swans scandal broke I thought, Sydney are gone. They lose five players, they thrashed Brisbane on the weekend in an unbelievable turnaround,” he said.
“So my advice to the Souths coach… maybe we can manufacture a good old-fashioned scandal just to get that team going.”
Jock Sleep has drawn criticism over a joke about the Sydney Swans controversy during Whyalla’s annual football medal presentation night
Sleep’s remark followed Sydney’s win over Brisbane despite five players being stood down. Pictured: Swans players embrace after the AFL Qualifying Final against the Brisbane Lions on September 5
“It worked for the Sydney Swans. I didn’t think that would get much of a laugh. I’m just talking a scandal, not a real big one,” Sleep added.
The footage, published by anti-violence campaigner Sherele Moody, showed a mixed reaction from attendees at the awards, with some audience members laughing.
Moody criticised the league and the attendees at the event when she shared the footage on Tuesday.
‘The crowd at the awards night laughed along with him. There was no attempt to shut down the conversation by the organisers,’ she wrote.
Moody also alleged the host made a disparaging comment about non-binary people.
The league subsequently addressed the controversy in a media release signed by president Keith Sichler.
‘The MC has contributed enormously to Whyalla football over many decades, and his knowledge of our game’s history is widely respected,’ the statement read.
‘However, the comments made in the circulated footage were insensitive and do not reflect the values or standards of the Whyalla Football League today.’
The Whyalla Football League described its awards host’s comments as insensitive and said he had since expressed regret
Anti-violence campaigner Sherele Moody condemned Sleep’s remarks and later criticised the Whyalla Football League’s response to the controversy
The league said Sleep’s intention had been to highlight how difficult moments could bring a team together.
‘We acknowledge that the MC’s intention was to highlight how challenging moments in sport can galvanise a team’s resolve,’ it said.
‘The WFL has spoken with the MC, who understands the impact of his remarks and has expressed regret for any harm caused.’
The statement did not confirm whether disciplinary action would be taken.
Moody later criticised the response, describing it as ‘Whyalla Football League’s crappy sorry’.
‘Good men don’t praise men who minimise violence,’ she said.
The Swans have suspended Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice for the rest of the season for breaching club behaviour standards.
The penalties were endorsed by the AFL before being handed out last week.
The players were reportedly partying with adult entertainers in a room at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne on August 17 when alleged assaults are said to have occurred.
Three other men, who police believe were in the room at the time, were interviewed solely as witnesses. Police are not looking to speak with anyone else in relation to the investigation.
No charges have been laid and it is not suggested the players were involved in any wrongdoing.
The Swans have ‘categorically’ stated none of their staff were in the hotel room and are not involved in the investigation.
Victoria Police said last week in a statement that their inquiries could take at least another eight weeks to complete.
They also confirmed detectives had travelled to Sydney to speak to four of the five Swans players and that a fifth player was now a witness.
The AFL will conduct its own enquiries once the police investigation is complete.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
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