Schulz puts TAC deal in doubt
31 March 2005
Herald Sun
By Adam Cooper of AAP
RICHMOND'S sponsorship with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is once again in grave danger after Jay Schulz became the second Tiger in four years to lose his licence for drink-driving.
Schulz, 19, was pulled over at 1am (AEST) today in inner-suburban Prahran and charged on summons with driving with a blood alcohol level of between .05 and .07, and speeding.
He had his licence cancelled for six months.
The 21-game player, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, is believed to have been on his way home from a friend's home when he was pulled over.
Richmond immediately fined the promising utility player $5,000.
The Tigers were so furious their 16-year association with the TAC - which uses the motto `Drink, Drive, Bloody Idiot' - was at risk, they wanted to impose a far greater penalty.
"Given our relationship with the TAC as a major sponsor and the education process and all the things we've been through, I think five grand is the maximum fine under the (AFL Players') Code of Conduct and I think it's too low," said Tigers football director Greg Miller.
"Somewhere in the order of 10 ($10,000) or 15 ($15,000) would have been more appropriate, I would have thought.
"We're shocked because he's a fine young man and he's been in the system three years, so the amount of education he's had on this has been extensive ... and our relationship with the TAC is paramount to our ongoing viability, and unfortunately, Jay's let us all down."
In December 2001, former Richmond player Royce Vardy also jeopardised the club's TAC sponsorship when he was arrested with a blood alcohol level of .14.
The Tigers suspended Vardy for the 2002 pre-season before the TAC fined Richmond $50,000 and imposed a zero tolerance regime on the club.
That means the current year-to-year deal - worth an estimated $750,000 annually - might not be renewed at the end of 2005, if it lasts that long.
Richmond officials will meet with TAC representatives over the coming days to discuss the issue, but neither party would speculate on possible ramifications today.
The TAC said in a statement it viewed the incident "extremely seriously and has expressed its anger and bitter disappointment" to Richmond, and would consider all penalties.
The TAC said it was fortunate no-one was killed "as a result of Schulz's actions".
Richmond chief executive Steven Wright said it was premature to comment, but made clear his anger with Schulz.
"It's totally unacceptable behaviour and Richmond have an obligation, not only through the TAC, but through our own community network, to be fine upstanding citizens in the community and to do what he has done was totally irresponsible and I made it clear to him in no uncertain terms," Wright said.
Miller will discuss a ban on drinking with Richmond's football department, but dismissed claims the club had a drinking culture.
Former players Nick Daffy, Brad Ottens and Andrew Mills were all arrested in 2001-02 over alcohol-related incidents.
Schulz's manager Liam Pickering said his client understood the magnitude of his actions.
"The kid is, as you'd imagine, feeling pretty low at the moment and he's made a big mistake," Pickering said.
"So from a club perspective ... he'll have to face the playing group tomorrow and the coach and that's part of the game, and as far as the TAC is concerned it's not a great message to send and he knows that, so hopefully we can move forward from here."
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