The Whyalla Football League is facing backlash after an awards night host, Jock Sleep, suggested that an underdog team could "manufacture a scandal" to boost their performance, referencing the Sydney Swans' recent win amid an ongoing investigation into alleged sexual assault claims against some of their players.
Sleep, who is also the league's historian, made the remarks during the annual medal presentation night in South Australia. He noted that the Sydney Swans secured a qualifying final victory over Brisbane shortly after five of their players were stood down for behavioral standard breaches. "After the big Swans scandal broke I thought, Sydney are gone. They lose five players, they thrashed Brisbane on the weekend in an unbelievable turnaround," Sleep reportedly said. He then advised the coach of South Whyalla, an underdog in the upcoming grand final, "maybe we can manufacture a good old-fashioned scandal just to get that team going. It worked for the Sydney Swans."
Footage of the event, shared by anti-violence campaigner Sherele Moody, showed a mixed reaction from the audience, with some attendees laughing. Moody criticized both the league and the audience for their response. She also alleged that Sleep made a disparaging comment about non-binary people.
In a subsequent statement, Whyalla Football League president Keith Sichler acknowledged that Sleep's comments were "insensitive" and did not align with the league's values. The league stated that Sleep's intention was to highlight how difficult moments can galvanize a team. "The WFL has spoken with the MC, who understands the impact of his remarks and has expressed regret for any harm caused," the statement read. The league did not specify if any disciplinary action would be taken.
Moody dismissed the league's response as inadequate, stating, "Good men don't praise men who minimise violence." She further criticized the league's apology as "Whyalla Football League's crappy sorry."
The Sydney Swans suspended Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon, and Riley Bice for the remainder of the season after they allegedly breached club behavior standards. The penalties were endorsed by the AFL. The players were reportedly involved in an incident at a hotel on August 17. Police are investigating the alleged assaults, and the club has stated that none of its staff were in the hotel room and are not involved in the investigation. The AFL will conduct its own inquiries once the police investigation is concluded.