RANDALL BACK in ACTION to That,” She Said

SUNDAY JANUARY 17 2021 SPORT 59 Move a real boon Sexting for Butler MARC McGOWAN DAN Butler privately felt his 2020 breakout season would habits happen, from not long after the calendar flipped over to Janu- ary. The small forward was warming to St Kilda’s training program which was different to Richmond’s, felt fitter and a worry was standing out in game sim- ulations as well as practice matches. NICK SMART himself,” she said. “Nothing There was one thing Butler was ever about another person thought was holding him back ANNA was shocked. or creating pleasure for some- from embracing his second Just minutes after connect- one else. AFL chance, so he packed up ing with an AFL player on In- “In some very crude messa- all his stuff and relocated bay- stagram, he’d asked for her ges he sent to some of my side, Melbourne. phone number and immedi- friends, every message about “I left my Richmond mates ately placed a video call to her what he would do to them was and close friends up in North- while naked and touching all for himself. cote and moved down to East himself. “It was never about the Brighton,” Butler said. “To think his actions are ac- other person.” “That’s what felt like the ceptable, to straight away Fac- Hawthorn forward Jona- fresh start for me – I could real- etime someone and be naked thon Patton was stood down ly get involved with the Saints. on the other end is not nor- by the Hawks this week as they “Early on, I was travelling mal,” she said. investigated claims he shared from Northcote to Moorabbin “I know friends who have lewd images with women. every day, which was taking also come forward and said he It came as a growing num- me 50 minutes to an hour. (this player) had added them ber of women detailed what “When you’ve got that time on an app and, within 10 min- they said was inappropriate be- in the car in the morning, on utes, had asked to see their feet. haviour by Patton, and called the way home it’s probably “No conversation before- for a cultural overhaul among easy to leave the club a bit ear- hand, just straight into it. It’s AFL players. lier and try and beat the traf- very bizarre behaviour.” The Hawk has been sus- fic.” This is not an AFL problem, pended from all club commit- The premiership-winning it’s societal. ments until a probe into his Tiger fell out of favour at his Many women encounter alleged behaviour is complet- old club – going from playing this type of lewd behaviour on ed. 23 games to 15, then only seven social media and dating apps He has vehemently denied in 2019 – but the Saints saw regularly. the allegations against him. something in him that could The level of brashness of Early last week he was ad- help them climb the ladder. this particular footballer, how- mitted to hospital, where he While the 24-year-old was ever, stood out to Anna* as be- was receiving treatment for at Punt Road, the pressure for yond the pale in her mental health issues. spots became all encompass- Adelaide AFLW premiership star Chelsea Randall returns to footy for the Crows today. experiences. The AFL Integrity Unit is ing. “Going into 2020, I wanted “It’s pretty common behav- also investigating the claims, to get back to my best and iour but usually there is more and has interviewed numerous bring that level of consistency,” conversation to the point to get women who have come for- Butler said. RANDALL BACK IN ACTION to that,” she said. ward. “That starts in the pre-sea- “He just has no idea about Anna said she believed son, putting together a good SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON Adelaide’s co-captain since relocated to Adelaide people’s boundaries, or even there was a level of entitlement fitness base and training well, 2017 – since she suffered a because of Sydney’s COVID- knowing what is acceptable among some AFL players. and that leads into games. DUAL Adelaide Crows torn ACL in late 2019, which 19 situation to get the AFLW and what isn’t. “I’ve met AFL players out “For me, it was about get- premiership winner and All- made her miss the entire season up and running. “And I think it’s more of a and, the younger they are ting the confidence back. I Australian Chelsea Randall 2020 AFLW season. Lisa Whiteley and Hannah mental issue than anything seemingly the worse they are,” knew my best was good will today play her first game Today’s game against the Munyard will also play their else. she said. “It’s not normal be- enough, but I probably wasn’t for more than a year. Giants will also be the first first game for the Crows after “I don’t think he even haviour and they definitely do bringing it enough.” Adelaide’s AFLW side will hit-out for Hannah Button in being traded to Adelaide in knows what he’s doing.” have a sense of entitlement, Butler, who is out of con- have its first hit-out ahead of more than a year as she the off-season. Anna said the player was but I definitely think it de- tract at season’s end, tips great- the 2021 season when it returns from an ACL injury. A 27-person squad has completely self-absorbed in his pends on the player. er things ahead for Hunter faces GWS in a practice The Crows will unleash been named by the Crows, actions. “I know a lot of AFL players Clark, Nick Coffield, Max match at Norwood Oval. draftees Teah Charlton and with only Dayna Cox, Deni “Looking over all of it now, that are not like this, so it’s not King, Ben Paton and another The practice match will be Ashleigh Woodland against Varnhagen and Chloe Scheer all you realise is that all he a blanket situation.” former Tiger, Jack Higgins. the first hit-out for Randall – the Giants, who have missing. wanted was these things for * not her real name Transgender footy player threatens legal action against the AFL EMILY BENAMMAR moting exclusion over inclusion. tralian Football League and its der Diversity Policy in October the upcoming season. These “This is a statement I hoped I Gender Diversity Policy (Elite). 2020, I, on numerous occasions, questions I believe are the bare TRANSGENDER footballer would not have to make,” she “This is not a step I take light- have attempted to have conver- minimum that need to be able to Hannah Mouncey says she has wrote. ly, and not one which I have had sations with the AFL about the be answered for a process to be been forced to take legal action “However, after being made any desire to take if it could be policy to firstly highlight a few considered transparent and for against the AFL just to play Can- aware that word of the below po- avoided, however I believe at this significant concerns that the pol- all parties to be able to have faith berra first grade, given its new tential actions had become point I have no other option if I icy raises, whilst trying to get an- in the process.” transgender policies. known in some, however small, want to play football in the AFL swers to some key questions Mouncey said she had sub- Taking to social media, parts of the media, I can confirm Canberra First Grade Competit- around how the policy would be mitted extended versions of the Mouncey posted a lengthy state- that unless we are able to resolve ion in 2021. applied before submitting the above questions to the AFL. ment in which she accused the the issue I will be proceeding “Following the announce- relevant information to the AFL None was answered adequately, Hannah Mouncey AFL of discrimination and pro- with legal action against the Aus- ment of the AFL’s updated Gen- for their consideration ahead of in her opinion. 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