Carlton Star bashed on New Years Eve

It was bound to happen wasn’t it. Day 1 of the new year and yet another off field incident involving an AFL Footballer. Although I was expecting a Ben Cousins report on New Years Day after a reporter had tailed him on his partying adventures on the night and he had caught him doing something outrageous.

Not to be. This time it was Carlton star Jarrad Waite who was king hit with bottles at Lorne on New Years Eve by 4 men which police have since arrested. Cartlon Football Club have quickly come out and released a press statement saying the Waite was an innocent bystander. It was reported that Waite and his girlfriend were attacked by 4 youths and Waite was hit over the head with bottles suffering facial injuries. Although Carlton cheif Greg Swan has said that his injuries will not affect his pre season training there are rumours on a few AFL Forums that suggest his injuries are more serious than that, a fractured eye socket has been floated around.

I think Swan was being politically correct when he said “The fact Jarrad is an AFL player had no bearing on the incident.” I just don’t buy that at all! There is no way this is what he really believes. These people would have been well aware who he was and they would have had the 10% tougher theory flowing through their minds after quite a few “frothies” I would imagine. I have been around and talked to a lot of AFL players and they all say that people come up to them in pubs and clubs and intend to “have a go”, just because they are AFL players and they can then boast about the incident to their mates.

It is another example of a cowardly act on an AFL Footballer. Let’s hope Waite is OK and there are no serious facial injuries that will affect his pre season program. Waite is an important part of the Carlton Football Clubs plans to make their climb up the AFL Ladder starting in 2008.