Manager defends ConnorsBy Matt Thompson, Luke Holmesy and Paul Daffey
Wed 04 Jul, 2012THE MANAGER of fallen Tiger Daniel Connors says his client hasn't ruled out going public with his side of the story.
Anthony McConville told AFL.com.au that Connors was assessing his options after his departure from Richmond on Wednesday morning.
"It's important to let the dust settle and just see what takes place," McConville said when asked about the possibility of Connors speaking to the media.
The Tigers "mutually agreed to part ways" with Connors after he and Dustin Martin missed training on Tuesday morning as a result of taking sleeping medication the night before.
McConville said Connors wasn't planning on escaping Melbourne's intense media spotlight.
"He's not going away anywhere mate, there hasn't been anything pre-arranged as to what he's going to do today, tomorrow or the next day," the manager said on Wednesday afternoon.
McConville said it was too early for Connors, 23, to decide on his football future.
"At this stage that's premature, he needs to sit back and get back into normal life and then I suppose a decision will be made as to what he does with his football career," he said.
It is believed Connors has become the victim of an unofficial three-strikes policy at Punt Rd.
Two years ago, Richmond suspended him for eight matches after an incident fuelled by alcohol in a Sydney hotel.
Last October he was suspended for 12 weeks after various incidents in which alcohol had led him to make "bad decisions".
Richmond has never previously sanctioned Martin.
Meanwhile, the AFL Players Association has expressed no concerns with the manner in which Connors' career at Richmond came to an end.
In a statement released by AFLPA general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast, the association expressed understanding at Richmond's action.
"Today’s sanction was handed down as a result of the breakdown of employment relationship, which has occurred over some time," Prendergast said.
"As confirmed by Richmond Football Club during today’s press conference, Daniel will be paid the full entitlement of his contract."
The AFLPA offers sleep management workshops to all clubs to help players manage their sleeping patterns but Prendergast stressed that misuse of sleeping medication was not widespread throughout the AFL.
"On occasion, players will make decisions that are not in their best interests. We do not believe that the recent situation is indicative of use in the wider playing community."
Amid a storm of discussion about the use of sleeping pills by elite athletes, the AFL insists the Martin-Connors case is not evidence of a broader issue in the code.
"This incident is a regrettable but isolated one," AFL medical director Dr Peter Harcourt said.
"The AFL, in conjunction with club doctors, closely monitors the use of prescription drugs by players and there is no evidence to suggest that misuse is a particular issue in the competition.
"The sanctions imposed by Richmond underline how important it is from a health perspective that people only take prescription medication under medical supervision and guidance."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/140435/default.aspx
