SAAFL Div 7 2008

[The Real Number 3]

Hey all.

Ok, ive had my last appeal at the SANFL rejected so now i can tell you all my version of events as to why i got 15 games.

Round 4 this year Paralowie played Adelaide Uni.

I had only just come back from knee surgery and was playing in the 2's. Adel Uni were giving us a hiding and it was only the 2nd Quarter.

The ball had been kicked over my head into their forward 50 yet again so ive turned and ran towards the lad who picked it up. It wouldve been about 15-25 metres away. As iam not a small lad, i wasnt running overly fast towards this bloke. About 5mtrs out from the lad i raised my arms in the smothering position as he was in the motion of giving off a handball to his team mate. (who kicked another goal) There was about 1 second between him giving off the handball and me colliding with him. In my eyes there was nothing i could to pull up because i was dedicated to smothering the ball. My forearm/elbow unfortunately made contact with the lads throat region which i did not know at the time. The umpires at the time saw nothing wrong with the contest at all. As soon as i realised another goal had been kicked i turned around to berate my team mates as to why another goal had been scored. I did not see the lad down on the ground or anything until about 2 minutes later he was running towards the boundry making a wheezing noise. I only thought he had been winded due to the contest. It wasnt until after the game i got told he to be taken away by an ambulance.

I heard nothing more about the incident until 2 weeks later when our Prez had papers saying there will be an investigation into how the said player got injured. It was then when i found out about the lads horrific injuries.

The SAAFL called me up before a panel to hear my version of events so we thought we had better take a lawyer just in case the thing gets outtve hand.

I told my version of events, the lad told his and there were a few other people involved also. That meeting got adjourned. As did the next 3. Once the investigation committee found i had a case of striking to contend they gave the choice of having the tribunal that night or another night. My lawyer got fancy with them and requested a whole new panel as the old one would show predjudice towards me. The SAAFL did not like this but in the end we got a new panel.

During the week before the 2nd last Minor round game i got called before this new panel Once again we had to give evidence and sit around for a long while.

I got found guilty of striking behind the play and was given 15 games, which is a life barring from SAAFL. To be honest here, i was heartbroken. Im 22 and have known nothing but footy my whole life.

It wasnt until after a few weeks after that hearing we received a call from Greg Griffen offering to help. We looked at our options and thought he was our best bet to at least get the games reduced.

Last night was the appeal at West Lakes. My appeal got thrown out.

So now im here, heartbroken, typing my version of events so you people know what happened.

Im not allowed to play footy again at Paralowie. Which hurts as the club is finally looking like going places. All my mates are there. My mother is head trainer. My father is team manager. Most of my life revolves around Paralowie FC.

Im not sure whats going to happen now, whether we look at other options or not. All i know is right now, i cant pull on the Roo Guernsey again.

This is just my version of events and im sure the other lads version will be different. But im confident enough to post it here so everyone can make a call on it.

Thanks to all the people (Demon68 and FC especially) who supported me throughout this. It means alot.

Yours sincerely

Shaun Rae

[Sturtman]

Hey all.

Ok, ive had my last appeal at the SANFL rejected so now i can tell you all my version of events as to why i got 15 games.

Round 4 this year Paralowie played Adelaide Uni.

I had only just come back from knee surgery and was playing in the 2's. Adel Uni were giving us a hiding and it was only the 2nd Quarter.

The ball had been kicked over my head into their forward 50 yet again so ive turned and ran towards the lad who picked it up. It wouldve been about 15-25 metres away. As iam not a small lad, i wasnt running overly fast towards this bloke. About 5mtrs out from the lad i raised my arms in the smothering position as he was in the motion of giving off a handball to his team mate. (who kicked another goal) There was about 1 second between him giving off the handball and me colliding with him. In my eyes there was nothing i could to pull up because i was dedicated to smothering the ball. My forearm/elbow unfortunately made contact with the lads throat region which i did not know at the time. The umpires at the time saw nothing wrong with the contest at all. As soon as i realised another goal had been kicked i turned around to berate my team mates as to why another goal had been scored. I did not see the lad down on the ground or anything until about 2 minutes later he was running towards the boundry making a wheezing noise. I only thought he had been winded due to the contest. It wasnt until after the game i got told he to be taken away by an ambulance.

I heard nothing more about the incident until 2 weeks later when our Prez had papers saying there will be an investigation into how the said player got injured. It was then when i found out about the lads horrific injuries.

The SAAFL called me up before a panel to hear my version of events so we thought we had better take a lawyer just in case the thing gets outtve hand.

I told my version of events, the lad told his and there were a few other people involved also. That meeting got adjourned. As did the next 3. Once the investigation committee found i had a case of striking to contend they gave the choice of having the tribunal that night or another night. My lawyer got fancy with them and requested a whole new panel as the old one would show predjudice towards me. The SAAFL did not like this but in the end we got a new panel.

During the week before the 2nd last Minor round game i got called before this new panel Once again we had to give evidence and sit around for a long while.

I got found guilty of striking behind the play and was given 15 games, which is a life barring from SAAFL. To be honest here, i was heartbroken. Im 22 and have known nothing but footy my whole life.

It wasnt until after a few weeks after that hearing we received a call from Greg Griffen offering to help. We looked at our options and thought he was our best bet to at least get the games reduced.

Last night was the appeal at West Lakes. My appeal got thrown out.

So now im here, heartbroken, typing my version of events so you people know what happened.

Im not allowed to play footy again at Paralowie. Which hurts as the club is finally looking like going places. All my mates are there. My mother is head trainer. My father is team manager. Most of my life revolves around Paralowie FC.

Im not sure whats going to happen now, whether we look at other options or not. All i know is right now, i cant pull on the Roo Guernsey again.

This is just my version of events and im sure the other lads version will be different. But im confident enough to post it here so everyone can make a call on it.

Thanks to all the people (Demon68 and FC especially) who supported me throughout this. It means alot.

Yours sincerely

Shaun Rae

I wonder if the outcome would have been the same if you played for a college team and/or were not playing against one?? Another example of the incompetence of the SAAFL and its tribunal system!!
If the umpires didnt see it who did they get their info from to find you guilty?
If your story of events is true then i feel very sorry for you and hope that it is all sorted out.

[The Bartman]

Wow that sounds like a very, very harsh penalty. It is pretty harsh even for deliberate striking. If your version of events are true I feel very sorry for you dude. The SAAFL are a ******* joke! Hope something happens in the future to allow you to pull the boots on again.

[carey]

a very late congratulations to the Paralowie boys on your win a few weeks ago. Also from what I noticed at your club later that night the boys really did celebrate the win well. once again well done and good luck for next year

i also would like to say well done to paralowie,and to the great man dutchy,how do you think you will fair in div 6 next year i mean will the likes of barnsey be able to kick another 100 not to sure about that,will the club look to recruit in the off season.is the coach staying on he has done a fantastic job this year,regardless congrats on this year and all the best for next year.

thank you robran do we know each other? i think we'll go ok probably wont go as well as we did this i hope we have the same result winning a flag but i cant see us winning 8-9 games by over 100 points again

[Punk Rooster]

the penalty handed down here is an absolute disgrace.
Whilst going by your version of events only, it sounds like accidental contact casusing injury- not pre-meditated thuggery.
I'm sure the league wants to stamp out cowardly acts, but accidental/incidental contact is a part of our game.
No player wants to see another player cop a nasty injury, but football is a contact sport.

The Kangaroo Court of the SAAFL has handed down judgement- an extremely poor one.

PS did the opposition (AUFC) give damning or constructive evidence?

[carey18]

I can say that what Shaune has put up there is the truth. I was even called up there and baiscally told what i was saying was a lie and not to lie to them when i was telling them the truth. Was the biggest load of hogwash i have heard. No eveidence convicted Shaune of anything.Shaune has never been reported before or anything. There will be a few things that come out in the wash about who said what and who had meetings with the SAAFL. Dutchy im in Korea and i can still stick up for him. Say something young man!

[The Real Number 3]

There was no damning evidence against me or anything. AUFC basically came in, called me a thug and a disgrace among other things. Yes, its unfortunate the lad copped serious injuries and im sorry for what occured. But if i was in the same position on the footy field i would do it exactly the same over and over again. Im a well build lad so of course its gonna take me a while to slow down.

Ive had people stop me when im out asking what occured and ive said the same thing. Yes, i do feel for the lad that got injured because he may never play again. But there is only so much compassion someone can show without actually putting flowers on his doorstep.

Yes im angry with SAAFL, AUFC and SANFL but im gonna be the bigger man and not let it bother me too much because at the end of the day, im still me.

I thank you all for kind've being on my side but of course, you've only heard my side.

[finn]

the penalty handed down here is an absolute disgrace.
Whilst going by your version of events only, it sounds like accidental contact casusing injury- not pre-meditated thuggery.
I'm sure the league wants to stamp out cowardly acts, but accidental/incidental contact is a part of our game.
No player wants to see another player cop a nasty injury, but football is a contact sport.

The Kangaroo Court of the SAAFL has handed down judgement- an extremely poor one.

PS did the opposition (AUFC) give damning or constructive evidence?

there were some fairly independent witnesses apparently - uni don't get stuck into these things without first going into them in great detail ie whether they believe there was intent, lateness etc.

Punky, for your info, the guy hit will also not play football again due to án elbow' to the throat,he'll always talk in a different voice and he's 18. various courts of appeal agreed, various tribunals - i don't believe that the saafl is that unprofessional that two sets of rules apply to different clubs based on demographics especially as i belive, and correct me if i'm wrong, there are tribunal members connected with many different clubs from all areas.

yes, its a shame that mr rae can't play with his mates and family especially if it was not meant but that's something only he'll truly know.

that's my take on it.

[Punk Rooster]

finn,
not denying there is a victim here, but the question I put is this- should someone recieve a life ban for an incident which was not intenional?

Last year, whilst playing Flinders Uni, one of our players suffered a fractured (or maybe crushed?) larynx.
He was elbowed to the throat- whether this was an accident or not, I don't recall.
This guy won't play football again either- but no-on from Flinders was reported/sent off/did time for it.

[The Big Shrek]

I'd be interested to see if there were any written reasons for the SANFL's decision. Was it a review of the merits of the case(i.e. a fresh hearing of the evidence) or a hearing to see whether it was open to the SAAFL to make the decision they did?

Did the umpires give evidence?

Independent witnesses, at a div 7R game? Sounds fishy to me.

Injuries happen all the time in football, I feel sorry for the guy who got hurt but it's not how badly he got hurt that matters, it's the intent of the person who made the contact.

[old moz]

there are college sides and there are FOOTBALL clubs.

[finn]

finn,
not denying there is a victim here, but the question I put is this- should someone recieve a life ban for an incident which was not intenional?

Last year, whilst playing Flinders Uni, one of our players suffered a fractured (or maybe crushed?) larynx.
He was elbowed to the throat- whether this was an accident or not, I don't recall.
This guy won't play football again either- but no-on from Flinders was reported/sent off/did time for it.

was obviously considered intentional by the two different tribunals though and like it or not they're the ones who make the decisions. then the differing tribunals also agreed with the verdicts.
i've been involved with uni for 21 years - this case was only the second i know of that the hierarchy has gone further with an on field incident.
perhaps the flinders guys got lucky.
we also know that the saafl will probably change their mind about the 12 game ban sometime over the next few years anyway.

[finn]

there are college sides and there are FOOTBALL clubs.

whatever
what a trite argument

[The Real Number 3]

Both umpires gave no evidence as they didnt see anything. The Independent Witness' story wasnt counted as evidence. The AUFC requested an investigation in to the incident. The SANFL have not gave us their reasons yet, they said they're going to send them out to us. Im no expert or anything but in my eyes I see it as an easy way out by them as to not think of reasons on the spot.

There were 2 main witness's brought in. 1 from us and 1 from AUFC. Ours said we were both crouched over the ball and it was normal collision who was standing at the end it occured. Theirs was someone that said they were half the oval away. I definitely know ours is a very honest women.

Maybe old moz, the SAAFL already had hate in their eyes towards our club or surronds and compared to AUFC werent regarded as a "Favourite Club." I guess we'll never know, but i'll keep my head up knowing i spoke the truth.

I think i'll stop talking about the incident now, just incase I say something that could/will be used against me.

Anyway, Up the Mighty Roos!

[carey]

I can say that what Shaune has put up there is the truth. I was even called up there and baiscally told what i was saying was a lie and not to lie to them when i was telling them the truth. Was the biggest load of hogwash i have heard. No eveidence convicted Shaune of anything.Shaune has never been reported before or anything. There will be a few things that come out in the wash about who said what and who had meetings with the SAAFL. Dutchy im in Korea and i can still stick up for him. Say something young man!

look my take on the whole thing is its a shame that 2 young blokes cant play footy again 1 the uni. bloke done nothing wrong and cant play again 2. shaune rae again in my opioin done nothing wrong and cant play again in shaune's case its out of his hands a split second action has cost him his playing days in the saafl an action i might add that happens 100's of times over and nothing ever comes of it at the end of the day footy is a contact sport and some times s@#t happens in this case its just bad news for both players.

[The Big Shrek]

Crikey, word against word and a life suspension. No unbiased witnesses and the damning evidence comes from half an oval away.

As far as the reasons go I was wondering whether they found no reason to overturn the SAAFL's decision or whether they found you guilty upon that evidence. I've mentioned before that I can't see any standard of proof in the rules for the SAAFL tribunal so the SANFL's decision might just be that the SAAFL are allowed to make decisions like that under their inadequate rules.

[(S)aintbackline]

Absolute disgrace cant beleive it, but then again its why they call it the amatuer league.

I feel sorry for ya Box i cant understand how a life ban can be passed down on little to no evidence, the league may need to take a good look at their jugdment before this goes further and makes them look like a bunch of morons AGAIN.........
it seems there is a rule for some teams and rules for different team.

[old moz]

there are college sides and there are FOOTBALL clubs.

whatever
what a trite argument

not an argument, just an opinion

[Keepitreal]

finn,
not denying there is a victim here, but the question I put is this- should someone recieve a life ban for an incident which was not intenional?

Last year, whilst playing Flinders Uni, one of our players suffered a fractured (or maybe crushed?) larynx.
He was elbowed to the throat- whether this was an accident or not, I don't recall.
This guy won't play football again either- but no-on from Flinders was reported/sent off/did time for it.

was obviously considered intentional by the two different tribunals though and like it or not they're the ones who make the decisions. then the differing tribunals also agreed with the verdicts.
i've been involved with uni for 21 years - this case was only the second i know of that the hierarchy has gone further with an on field incident.
perhaps the flinders guys got lucky.
we also know that the saafl will probably change their mind about the 12 game ban sometime over the next few years anyway.

Other incident again against a northern based club and another big lad that applied a late tackle (nothing malicious or pre meditated), free & 25 metre penalty awarded by umps, no report, no send off, no issue, you think, but low and behold uni again took it further after several weeks as after the game their player suffered an epiletic fit and again bleeding heart case states that poor bloke will never play again. Uni got lawers involved, the saafl kangaroo court was held, northern based club player tried & convicted in very similar circumstances (got 8 games I think from memory) umps never reported incident and uni player has epilepsy yet chose not wear any head protection.....spastic!

I say football is a contact sport if you know you have a condition and still want to play accept the risks as all players do when they take the field and wear appropriate protection or in Shaun case S#$t does happen and is just an unfortunate accident.

Have no problem with hard ball gets or play in the spirit of the game that is what makes our game great.

[Pag]

You know my thoughts are with ya Boxhead, can't fathom what you'd be feeling right now. Obviously grown up in the same sort of environment, being around footy clubs in the north since we could walk, with parents involved and all that crap, and I know not being able to play would be killing ya mate. Hopefully the right decision gets made at some point and you can pull the gurnsey back on.