Lions ponder $2m decision Jon Pierik
January 2, 2011 THE Brisbane Lions face a payout of almost $2 million if they decide to terminate a hemorrhaging partnership with disgraced forward Brendan Fevola.
The Lions' board and senior officials will meet this week to decide if they want the serial offender to honour the final two years of his contract after he was arrested and charged with being a public nuisance and obstructing police during New Year's Eve celebrations in Brisbane's nightclub district of Fortitude Valley.
It is alleged Fevola threatened to ''smash'' police when approached by the public safety response team, shouting: ''Come on, take your hat and badge off, I'll smash you.''
Advertisement: Story continues below It's also believed he initially refused to be handcuffed by placing his hands in his pockets.
Queensland police said officers found the ''man'' walking in the road with a group of males and had asked him to move off the roadway.
''The man allegedly refused to comply, becoming verbally aggressive towards police,'' police said in a statement.
Last night Fevola, who turns 30 later this month, was granted indefinite leave by the Lions to deal with a number of personal issues with professional assistance.
He will not join in training when the club reopens tomorrow.
Fevola appeared gaunt when escorted from the Brisbane Watchhouse at midday yesterday by manager Alastair Lynch.
''While the Brisbane Lions places the well-being of all its staff as a primary focus, the club will hold talks next week regarding what action may be required as a direct result of this morning's incident,'' the club said.
The Lions will investigate whether other players were involved.
Fevola will pocket at least $800,000 and possibly as much as $900,000 this season, a contract blamed for bloating the salary cap and contributing to the recent departures of Michael Rischitelli and Jared Brennan.
If the Lions opt to cut the three-time All-Australian, they may have to pay out his entire contract or hope a compromise can be met.
However, if Fevola is found to have brought the game into disrepute by the club or AFL, the Lions may escape a payout.
AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson said the league would await a detailed report from the Lions before contemplating any action. The Lions had investigated axing the 204-game veteran in September amid claims he had exposed himself to a woman at a local football club function.
He was cleared by police because of a lack of evidence and was eventually cleared by the AFL of bringing the game into disrepute after a long investigation. But the incident strained relations between the player and coach Michael Voss.
This review followed the release of the nude shower photos of Fevola's former lover Lara Bingle. Fevola was alleged to have been the perpetrator but the AFL was unable to charge him because of a lack of evidence.
Voss was criticised heavily last season for recruiting Fevola after he was sacked by Carlton for his 2009 Brownlow Medal night meltdown.
Voss had hoped the pairing of Fevola and skipper Jonathan Brown up forward would help fast-track a premiership, but both spent much of the season injured. Fevola, restricted by a sore groin that would eventually require season-ending surgery, would play in 17 matches and kick 48 goals - below par for the two-time Coleman medallist.
The Lions, finalists in 2009, would finish 13th with only seven wins, sparking a major review of the football department and the departure of chief executive Michael Bowers.
While former Carlton teammates celebrated the wedding of Chris Judd on Friday night, Fevola tweeted: ''Good bye 2010 thank god! Bring on 2011 lions will roar again ''.
The personal problems Fevola faces include his relationship with estranged wife Alex, who lives in Melbourne with their children.
It's understood Fevola is not coping well with their latest break-up. He has also had alcohol and gambling problems, with estimates last year suggesting he owed as much as $200,000. ''I have a gambling issue and I want to knock it on the head,'' Fevola said last year. ''There is obviously a lot of speculation and I want to get on the front foot about it. It's been going on for a few years. You don't think you've got a problem, and it's a bit of fun, and then it catches up to you.''
There were suggestions he is also battling a form of depression.
AFL Players' Association spokesman Ben Hart last night said Fevola would be offered support.
''We have been in regular contact today with Brisbane Lions officials and are comfortable with the approach they are currently taking,'' he said.
FEV'S SHAME FILE2001
- Allegedly involved in multiple alcohol-related incidents, including attempting to steal clothing from a North Melbourne dry cleaner (for which he is fined $8000 and ordered to do 30 hours of community work), spraying a woman in the face with a fire extinguisher and stealing alcohol from a Brunswick hotel.
2004
- Escorted out of the Crown Casino in the early hours after an alleged altercation with a security guard, then fails to show for a recovery session at Carlton and is suspended for one practice match.
2006
- Dropped from the Australian international rules team touring Ireland after putting a barman in a headlock in Galway.
- Scandal over an affair with model Bingle; separates from wife Alex.
2007
- Suspended by club for one match for poor on-field behaviour.
2008
- Urinates on window of a Prahran bar and is fined $10,000 by the club and sacked from leadership group.
- Photographed in public wearing a woman's nightie with a sex toy protruding through his trousers during Mad Monday celebrations.
2009
- Seen in public with sex toy again while celebrating the end of season at a Parkville hotel.
- Attends Brownlow intoxicated and is involved in multiple incidents, including offensive behaviour towards his captain Chris Judd and a female journalist.
- Traded by Carlton to the Brisbane Lions.
2010
- Allegedly distributes nude photos of Lara Bingle to teammates. Bingle threatens to sue for defamation.
- Admits owing in excess of $100,000 as a result of a serious gambling addiction.
- Is suspended indefinitely by the Brisbane Lions after allegedly exposing himself to a mother of four.
Queensland police do not lay charges because of a lack of evidence. He is also eventually cleared by the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute.
2011 - Arrested in Brisbane at 4.30am on January 1 for being a public nuisance and obstructing police.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/lions-ponder-2m-decision-20110101-19cnl.html
