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Dangerfield urges AFL players to behave

3 minute read

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield says AFL players must learn from instances of inappropriate behaviour that have come to light over the past week.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD of the Cats congratulates Rhys Stanley of the Cats on a goal during the AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the St Kilda Saints at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Australia.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD of the Cats congratulates Rhys Stanley of the Cats on a goal during the AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the St Kilda Saints at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Australia. Picture: Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images

Patrick Dangerfield says AFL players need to remember they are role models for the wider community and "be better" following a series of groping incidents between players.

The AFL Players Association president - now in his 13th AFL season - cannot recall seeing any incidents similar to those recently brought to light with video footage from the Richmond and St Kilda change rooms.

But he believes it is incumbent on the entire playing group to make sure it is setting the right example, in particular for young fans.

"We've all got to be better," Dangerfield told SEN radio on Tuesday.

"We've all got to understand that, like it or not, as AFL players, we're role models in the community.

"However you think your own personal actions are, it's far more broad than that, so we've got to be really mindful of that.

"Richmond have acknowledged that and they're not alone with what's happened previously at football clubs at different stages.

"We've just got to be really cognisant of the fact that we are role models for the greater community and there's a standard that we need to uphold."

Richmond premiership players Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short were caught on camera inappropriately touching teammate Mabior Chol, as was Dan Butler with St Kilda teammate Jade Gresham.

In response to those incidents, the AFL sought advice from Australia's sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins.

Leaders from all 18 clubs will this week be briefed on the league's expectations surrounding respect and appropriate conduct.

"It's an educational purpose for us now that everyone's acknowledged what's happened," Dangerfield said.

"Richmond certainly have confronted it and said that they'll learn from it and we've got to make sure that all the other clubs and players learn from it as well, and that it's not replicated."

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