Proof our leadership group is fantastic

[Mr Miyagi]

Woods and a few others have been taking potshots at our leadership group, it’s their fault Stephenson “cheated”, even calling for Maxwell to quit, etc. Let’s put that to bed:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-throwaway-line-that-led-jaidyn-stephenson-to-confess-20190619-p51zcz.html

Collingwood leader Jeremy Howe counselled younger teammate Jaidyn Stephenson and advised him to seek help from football boss Geoff Walsh after details of Stephenson’s betting on his own club and teammates came to light.

It was in the rooms at the MCG after the Magpies had just beaten St Kilda by 41 points in round nine – a game in which Stephenson kicked three goals – that the 20-year-old made a passing comment to Howe that one of their teammates had cost him a multi.

Stephenson was remarking on the fact one of their teammates hadn’t delivered the number of disposals that he had earlier bet on.

The initial comment was lost in the jubilation of the victory, but Howe – who is in Collingwood’s leadership group - followed up with his younger teammate and advised him to seek counsel from footy boss Walsh straight away.
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[Mr Miyagi]

And Caroline Wilson, Slobbo, anyone else who wants to take potshots at our club’s “bad culture” can suck on the facts too.

[Woods]

Understand you're the emotional type, but to misrepresent what I said regarding the leadership group is NOT on. I have not taken "pot shots" but leveled reasonable criticisms based on available evidence.

First let's deal with the Howe issue. We don't know what actually happened there. But I know this. Once Stephenson revealed to Howe that he was betting on games Howe was in the unenviable position of being complicit in the crime if he stayed silent. The same goes with becoming aware of drug use, PEDs etc. It must be reported to the AFL or you too are complicit in the crime (Players etc sign up for this in their AFL contracts so its no surprise. And it is a crime to bet in your own games. The reason the AFL penalty is so harsh is to demonstrate to police that the AFL is going in tough. If it doesn't police could take over and lay criminal charges Do you want that for Stephenson?). So Howe reported it to the AFL via Walsh. Was that leadership or simply, and understandably, saving his own skin after Stephenson dropped him in it.

As for the wider club-wide leadership at the club, or obvious lack thereof, there are questions that need to be asked and answered, or we we will have repeat performances time and time again.

Where is Nick Maxwell in this?. He's paid as Leadership & Culture Manager at the Pies but is missing in action. Shouldn't he be leading on this? Why isn't he? Why does Buckley claim the club's leadership is strong but we have repeat scandals, from pissing in public, footpath fights, performance drug use, recreational drug use, driving under the influence, betting on games. If there is any leadership at the club its certainly not directing and reinforcing the simple messages about compliance. It seems there is an arrogant hubris that pervades Collingwood. It needs real leaders to put an end to it.

As for those here who are more besotted by the club personalities than the club itself, I suggest you go and follow another club that rejoices in celebrity and all the fakery that goes with it. Essendon and Carlton are good examples where individual players put themselves ahead of the club, like Stephenson has done. And the punters follow like sheep.

For me its the club and only the club that matters. I'll leave hero worship to weaker minds, Mr Miyagi.

[RudeBoy]

Our club has a terrific culture and it's leadership qualities are first class. The way they have handled this situation is proof of that.

[PyreneesPie]

[think positive]

[Harrysz]

Woods, you wouldn't know whether Nick Maxwell has played a role in this. You wouldn't know whether he's "missing in action" or what he may have done behind the scenes. He's our most recent premiership captain and deserves some respect.

How would you know that Howe advised Stevo to report, just because he was in a difficult position himself? Your criticisms are opinions based on little evidence.

One final thing. This forum is meant to be non-political. Not everyone wants to "free Assange".

[David]

Whatever his motive, it's clear that Howe acted maturely and responsibly in the situation, and took a personal risk in doing so (he couldn't necessarily be guaranteed that his teammates would think he did the right thing here, and the social consequences could be significant if they blamed him for Stephenson's fate). He deserves praise for that, and it is good that we have people of that calibre at the club. That fact doesn't necessarily indicate on its own, however, that all our leadership processes are working as they should.

Whether or not Maxwell was doing his job just seems like one of those unknowable things unless you've got inner knowledge, though. Certainly, if Stephenson was genuinely oblivious that what he was doing was wrong, then there was a significant failure of communication somewhere along the way. But that might have just as easily been caused by Stephenson not paying attention as by Maxwell (or whoever else) not spelling it out sufficiently. Anything more seems like mere speculation to me.

[88MPH]

[Mr Miyagi]

Don’t expect an article from Caroline Wilson praising our culture and leadership though lol

[David]

[Harrysz]

Thanks 88MPH.

By the way, 3KZ IS football!!

[MagpiesTheGreat]

Proof is in the punting

[think positive]

[tbaker]