Geelong

[azabob]

I take anything Caro says about respect for women with a grain of salt - it is meaningless coming from her.

However, she does have an ear to City Hall and clearly they have instructed her to write this article. To absolutely nobody's surprise here, Smith has become a big problem for both Geelong and the AFEL after less than 12 months. This was always going to end in tears, it was just a matter of whether Geelong could cash in with a flag in time before the bomb goes off. Another reason to thank Brisbane.

The old Mental Health Card has been getting a big workout at Shithole Park this season.

RE your opening sentence Caro isn’t wrong though.

[Sedat]

RE your opening sentence Caro isn’t wrong though.

Nothing she has written in this story is wrong, but it is nauseating to hear her crap on about respect for women. She respects the story and nothing else - that has often meant throwing innocent women under the bus in the past just to get her precious scoop.

Her writing about Smith and Geelong is a classic no winners scenario. Just shit all round.

[GVGjr]

Andrew Dillons relationship with Bailey Smiths family is probably a stumbling block with anyone holding Smith to his actions.

The bans applied to those two GWS players for their mad Monday efforts would never be applied to Baz or anyone at Geelong

[josie]

Trading train wreck Smith for Hynes looking better by the day.

Setting aside my anger for his offensive behaviour and the harm he is causing to others I truly fear for his wellbeing. His family and any true friends must be tearing their hair out.

Goes to show good looks, talent, purportedly a good family, good school etc. only takes you so far. He has to look inside himself soon or it may be too late to turn the ship around.

[Jasper]

I take anything Caro says about respect for women with a grain of salt - it is meaningless coming from her.

However, she does have an ear to City Hall and clearly they have instructed her to write this article. To absolutely nobody's surprise here, Smith has become a big problem for both Geelong and the AFEL after less than 12 months. This was always going to end in tears, it was just a matter of whether Geelong could cash in with a flag in time before the bomb goes off. Another reason to thank Brisbane.

The old Mental Health Card has been getting a big workout at Shithole Park this season.

I don't overly rate her but in this instance with or without City Halls approval she's hit the right tone and has set the baseline for Geelong going forward
The Cats are going to find it harder to keep sweeping this rubbish under the carpet and keeping things in-house

[Axe Man]

Flogged with a wet lettuce...

Geelong hit with massive fine for third-party payment breaches

The AFL has hit Geelong with a $77,500 fine after a season-long probe into third-party payment deals, with $40,000 suspended and strict new reporting requirements imposed.

The AFL has hit Geelong with a $77,500 fine after an audit of the club’s third-party payments dating back six years after a season-long investigation of the Cats’ deals to players.

The Cats will have to meet rigorous restrictions around reporting of deals for the next seasons but have had $40,000 of that fine suspended by the AFL.

Geelong and Port Adelaide were both audited by the AFL this year and while the Cats were not found guilty of any salary cap breaches the failure to lodge some third-party deals properly saw the club hit with those fines.

Bailey Smith’s deal with Cotton On was assessed but was signed before he moved to the Cats and has not increased in value since he arrived.

But if he was to sign a new deal it would be means-tested by the AFL and scrutinised heavily because Cotton On is a club sponsor.

The league found multiple examples of deals not disclosed or lodged late across the AFL and AFLW programs.

The AFL said the Cats would be forced to comply with “additional compliance measures” .

But it made clear the Cats did not breach the salary cap or the AFL’s soft cap across those seasons.

Those additional measures include ‘Implementation of enhanced internal governance protocols between club employees and third-parties’ and the club will have to maintain an active register of arrangements from club associates and third parties.

The league said in a statement: “The AFL acknowledges the Club’s cooperation in voluntarily agreeing to the conduct of the Extended Audit process and the manner of its participation in that process”.

Geelong made clear in its statement that there was “no breach of player movement rules by the Club, its people or any associates of the Club during this timeframe.”

The club said the process had included club staffers providing access to phones, computers and emails and also sitting down for in-person interviews.

But while Geelong was at pains to make clear there were no major infractions, it acknowledged the audit zeroed in on a number of non-disclosures and late lodgements.

Geelong Cats CEO Steve Hocking said: “The Club and its personnel have fully cooperated throughout the audit process and worked closely with the AFL and EY to transparently provide access, documentation and information as required.

“We acknowledge the outcome of the audit has confirmed the Club has not breached AFL TPP limits nor the AFL player movement rules.

“We also acknowledge the audit identified a number of non-disclosure items over the six-year period. We accept the AFL’s sanctions for these errors and will strengthen our education and governance processes moving forward.”

[hujsh]

That'll show em

Also good to know if you sort out an outside the cap payment the year before a trade it's kosher

[Aidan7557]

Such a joke. I love how the AFL and Geelong tried to make it out the salary cap wasn't breached. No kidding guys I think that is the point of the third party payments.... so you stay under the cap. They have got away with so much this season with no punishment I just don't get it. They will also never reveal the issues so no one will know how seriously they cheated. Terrible stuff here and concerning that this club seems to have so much power.

[josie]

That fine is a joke, and part of it is suspended. Makes it worthwhile to rort outside salary payments. Was there investigation of property possibly sold below market value to players by folks associated with club? AFEL have outdone themselves with their ineptitude with this one.

[Pleather Sole]

Would love to see the list of 'third parties'.
Would like to know when the Cotton On contract BS signed in 2022 expires. Likely won't be so lucrative next time round, or heavily MacGyvered.

[Pleather Sole]

Andrew Dillons relationship with Bailey Smiths family is probably a stumbling block with anyone holding Smith to his actions.

The bans applied to those two GWS players for their mad Monday efforts would never be applied to Baz or anyone at Geelong

"Deidre Chambers, what a coincidence!"
AFL head honchos suddenly farming back any action around Mad Monday to 'clubs' ie Geelong is eye rollingly obvious.
How long Mr D can ensure a hands off from Head Office policy will be intriguing, and most likely galling.

[Sedat]

Fark this club

[SquirrelGrip]

That'll show em

Also good to know if you sort out an outside the cap payment the year before a trade it's kosher

Looking forward to announcing Zac Butters $2m per year 10 year deal promoting Mission wraps.

[EasternWest]

Is the massive fine in the room with us?

[GVGjr]

So a 77K fine, 40K suspended for administrative errors.
The AFL is having a laugh. Why not advise who made the error and how it was made ie was it deliberate?