OPINION: Jason Shields
BACK in 2017, the Sunraysia Daily was booted out of the SFNL tribunal and told “this is a closed shop”.
Having covered football tribunals in other regions for many years where tribunals are open to the media, it was a shock to hear the SFNL continued to operate as if a law unto itself.
At the time, I called out the league for its cloak-and-dagger approach to tribunal hearings where transparency was not part of the process.
To the league’s credit, they revisited the archaic policy and opened up tribunal hearings to the media from that point on.
Until now.
The Sunraysia Daily has been blocked from covering the past two SFNL tribunal hearings featuring high-profile players.
The first was Mildura star Carmelo Lando over an incident which left a Merbein player with a broken jaw.
The second was Wednesday night’s hearing where Robinvale Euston forward Ricardo Liparota faced the tribunal over an incident that left a Mildura player with facial fractures.
Why were these significant cases, where the consequences were far-reaching, played out behind closed doors?
Since being allowed back into the tribunals, the Sunraysia Daily has not been challenged once by the league over the accuracy of its reporting on cases.
Even this year, we have covered numerous cases, including a number on high profile players such as Irymple star Nick Mee.
So why the sudden change? The league says AFL Victoria has supported this new stance where rather than a reporter covering a tribunal hearing, it instead has a league employee provide details of the outcome, so shame on the AFL if that is the case.
But the SFNL can make its own choices and shrouding its tribunal process in secrecy is detrimental to the integrity of its own competition and judicial process.
That trust that has been built over the past six years is now brought into question.
For the public to trust in any process, transparency is key.
As I argued in 2017, in terms of local footy tribunals, the result of the case is important, but so too is how and why that result was reached.
And this is where the media – the real media and not the social gossip kind – plays its role. Newspapers, radio and TV stations are accountable for what they publish or produce.
Other local football leagues long ago realised this, and in a modern world of social media misinformation, understood that an accurate story with facts taken from inside the tribunal hearing was far better than uninformed commentary from the trolls outside.
They also understood that accurate tribunal reporting allowed them to send a strong message as to what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour under their watch. Players and coaches from seniors through to juniors now understand the consequences of head high bumps, the difference between what is reckless or intentional, why spear tackles are outlawed, the list goes on. This comes about through media reporting, and the debate around it, and that is a healthy thing.
The game is better served by an enlightened audience and participants, not for them to be kept in the dark.
The old school approach by country leagues was to bury the truth about any alleged poor behaviour, close tribunal hearings and sweep incidents under the carpet to avoid negative publicity.
But the truth was, that approach didn’t work, as leagues back in the day had a reputation for everything from king hits to racism and sexism. They did not have the great family reputations they enjoy today.
Ask yourself which era you would prefer your child to have grown up playing in?
Leagues and clubs have moved past that caveman mentality, and rightly so.
Football culture has changed so much for the better and a lot of that comes down to education and leagues understanding the roles and messages they send to the community.
A strong and transparent tribunal process is a big part of that.
By again closing its doors this week, the SFNL instead has given open slather to the rumour mill as to how this latest case played out. The 19-year-old who was subsequently suspended doesn’t win from that, for his side of the story is not accurately presented, nor does the injured Mildura player, nor the two clubs involved.
The SFNL does plenty right and runs a great competition. In recent years, it has taken many steps forward, but this is a step backwards.
Just like this newspaper, the SFNL is an organisation of influence in this community.
But by operating its tribunal process in secret, the league either wants to avoid scrutiny, or believes itself to be above it.
Neither paints it in a good light.
It’s a quick fix. Take the locks back off the door.
