Johnson in trouble again
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:50 pmAs reported, little bit disappointing considering the safety risk of harming himself and others
Johnson in trouble again
By Roger Vaughan
January 17, 2008 THE rollercoaster AFL career of Geelong star Steve Johnson has again plummeted, this time at 128km/h.
Police have impounded Johnson's car and he faces the loss of his licence for 12 months after he was clocked Wednesday night at 128km/h in a 50km/h zone.
As they did a year ago, Geelong's players will again play a major role in deciding a club penalty for the star forward. But unlike last summer, his career with the Cats is unlikely to be in jeopardy.
Teammate Shannon Byrnes was also in the car at the time of the incident, with the pair on the way to Eastern Gardens golf club in Geelong.
“We are extremely disappointed that Steve was found to have exceeded the speed limit in this manner and we are thankful that Steve, his passenger Shannon Byrnes or any other people were not injured,” Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said in a statement.
“We know the risks associated with speeding and speed is a major cause of road crashes in Victoria.
“Steve's actions were dangerous and unacceptable and could have resulted in tragic circumstances.
“Steve has worked hard over the past year to regain respect, but this is a major setback in this regard.
“In the past many of Steve's issues have been alcohol-related however that is not the case on this occasion.”
The Cats suspended Johnson for the first five games of last season for an alcohol-related incident late in 2006.
Compounding the situation, which had followed a series of off-field incidents involving Johnson, he did not tell the club for several days.
On Wednesday night, he apparently contacted Cats officials within an hour of being booked.
The club made it clear at the start of last year that Johnson was on his last chance at Geelong and he finally took the hint.
His turnaround was one of the best stories of a turbulent AFL season. Johnson did not miss a game for the rest of the year after he returned to the senior side and he gained All-Australian selection.
He capped his outstanding comeback by winning the Norm Smith Medal for best afield in Geelong's record-breaking 119-point grand final over Port Adelaide.
Until Wednesday night, Cats officials had been pleased with Johnson's preparations for the coming season.
The players will meet within a week to discuss what penalty they want for Johnson this time.
“The club will consider the possibility of further sanctions over the next week which will include discussion with the player leadership group,” the statement read.
“The club will not speculate any possible penalties until such time as the process is completed.”
While the Cats will go into the new season as favourites, this is not the first off-season issue for the club.
Last week, key forward Nathan Ablett confirmed he would take a break from the AFL for at least this season.
The incident also came a week after Collingwood announced they would forfeit their $500,000 sponsorship from the Transport Accident Commission.
The Magpies were forced to give up the sponsorship after rookie Sharrod Wellingham was booked for drink-driving.
AAP
Johnson in trouble again
By Roger Vaughan
January 17, 2008 THE rollercoaster AFL career of Geelong star Steve Johnson has again plummeted, this time at 128km/h.
Police have impounded Johnson's car and he faces the loss of his licence for 12 months after he was clocked Wednesday night at 128km/h in a 50km/h zone.
As they did a year ago, Geelong's players will again play a major role in deciding a club penalty for the star forward. But unlike last summer, his career with the Cats is unlikely to be in jeopardy.
Teammate Shannon Byrnes was also in the car at the time of the incident, with the pair on the way to Eastern Gardens golf club in Geelong.
“We are extremely disappointed that Steve was found to have exceeded the speed limit in this manner and we are thankful that Steve, his passenger Shannon Byrnes or any other people were not injured,” Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said in a statement.
“We know the risks associated with speeding and speed is a major cause of road crashes in Victoria.
“Steve's actions were dangerous and unacceptable and could have resulted in tragic circumstances.
“Steve has worked hard over the past year to regain respect, but this is a major setback in this regard.
“In the past many of Steve's issues have been alcohol-related however that is not the case on this occasion.”
The Cats suspended Johnson for the first five games of last season for an alcohol-related incident late in 2006.
Compounding the situation, which had followed a series of off-field incidents involving Johnson, he did not tell the club for several days.
On Wednesday night, he apparently contacted Cats officials within an hour of being booked.
The club made it clear at the start of last year that Johnson was on his last chance at Geelong and he finally took the hint.
His turnaround was one of the best stories of a turbulent AFL season. Johnson did not miss a game for the rest of the year after he returned to the senior side and he gained All-Australian selection.
He capped his outstanding comeback by winning the Norm Smith Medal for best afield in Geelong's record-breaking 119-point grand final over Port Adelaide.
Until Wednesday night, Cats officials had been pleased with Johnson's preparations for the coming season.
The players will meet within a week to discuss what penalty they want for Johnson this time.
“The club will consider the possibility of further sanctions over the next week which will include discussion with the player leadership group,” the statement read.
“The club will not speculate any possible penalties until such time as the process is completed.”
While the Cats will go into the new season as favourites, this is not the first off-season issue for the club.
Last week, key forward Nathan Ablett confirmed he would take a break from the AFL for at least this season.
The incident also came a week after Collingwood announced they would forfeit their $500,000 sponsorship from the Transport Accident Commission.
The Magpies were forced to give up the sponsorship after rookie Sharrod Wellingham was booked for drink-driving.
AAP
