'Smacks of politics': Caroline Wilson slams AFL over Eddie McGuire snub
The AFL has been taken to task by prominent journalist Caroline Wilson, over the league's decision to overlook former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire for life membership.
Instead, the life membership was bestowed to Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon, with McGuire having resigned from his role as Magpies boss in early 2021.
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McGuire's lengthy tenure as Collingwood president came to an unceremonious end upon the release of the 'Do Better' report which had been commissioned by the club.
The report found evidence of systemic racism had been present at Collingwood for decades, with McGuire ultimately resigning after initially stating he wanted to turn the club around.
Having held the position from 1997 to 2021, with Jeff Browne eventually becoming McGuire's full-time successor, many felt it was a puzzling move by the AFL to overlook the former Collingwood icon.
Speaking on Channel 9's Footy Classified on Monday evening, Wilson said that while Gordon was a worthy recipient of life membership, the AFL's decision to overlook McGuire 'smacks of politics'.
“It was an omission that shocked many of the AFL’s elder statesmen," Wilson said.
"This is no offence to Peter Gordon and his mighty and historic service to the Western Bulldogs, delivered over two, albeit significantly shorter stints than McGuire, in comparison to Eddie's.
“I can only assume the AFL is wanting to put a bit more distance between McGuire's honour and the Do Better report.
"If so, it’s a decision that smacks politics, and if you scour the list of some AFL Life Members, utter hypocrisy.
“And I’ve been his biggest critic, but can’t understand it.”
Magpies dealt crucial blow ahead of AFL round one
Collingwood have been dealt a blow ahead of their AFL round-one clash with St Kilda after star defender Brayden Maynard was offered a two-match suspension for striking.
Maynard was reported over a spoiling attempt in which he made late contact with GWS forward Daniel Lloyd during Sunday's pre-season fixture.
The Magpies backman made contact with the head of Lloyd, who was ruled out for the rest of the game.
The incident was assessed as careless conduct, high impact and high contact by the match review officer, resulting in a two-match ban with an early guilty plea.
If Maynard accepts the penalty, he will miss Collingwood's season opener against the Saints on March 18 and a meeting with Adelaide in round two.
In further bad news for the Magpies, recruit Nathan Kreuger has been offered a one-match suspension for.engaging in rough conduct against Giants veteran Callan Ward.
The incident-packed pre-season match has also led to GWS ruckman Braydon Preuss being offered a one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Pies counterpart Brodie Grundy.
If banned, Preuss will miss the Giants' season opener against cross-town rivals Sydney.
Teammates Stephen Coniglio (tripping) and Tanner Bruhn (forceful front-on contact) were offered $1000 and $2000 fines respectively for lesser offences.
Meanwhile, West Coast defender Alex Witherden can accept a one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct against Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw in Sunday's pre-season derby.
Dockers forward Michael Walters was offered a $2000 fine for engaging in rough conduct against Eagles wingman Andrew Gaff.
With AAP
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