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The AFL footballer: talented athlete or commodity?

1 April 2009

Illustration of football player
 

What it means to be a professional AFL footballer continues to provoke heated debate within clubs, the media, and among fans.

Dr Peter Kelly from the School of Political and Social Inquiry collaborated with Associate Professor Christopher Hickey from Deakin University, interviewing players, coaches and administrators in an effort to explore what it takes to be a modern-day professional footballer.

Their research found players often felt torn between the competing interests of the AFL, their club, sponsors, team mates and the media.

"The AFL is no longer a mere game, played by gifted, part-time athletes," Dr Kelly said.

"Players have become sport celebrities and like other celebrities, have no place to hide, on or off the field.

"Take Ben Cousins as an example. He was never tried for any criminal offence and never tested positive to any West Coast Eagles or AFL-sanctioned drug test.

"Yet during his 12-month ban, he lost his playing contract and his employment-related income for bringing the game into disrepute for 'trashing the brand'.

"While we're not defending men who behave badly, it's clear that today's AFL players have a whole range of new responsibilities to the game and face never-ending demands on their professionalism and performance."

Dr Kelly said for a few players the payoff was a 10-year career with relatively good earnings.

"For the vast majority, whose career may only last three years, this struggle can look like a wasted opportunity for players, clubs and sponsors," Dr Kelly said.

Dr Kelly and Professor Hickey's research is detailed in their new book The Struggle for the Mind, Body and Soul of AFL Players.