Pay up for play-up

THE Casey Scorpions players involved in Saturday’s all-in brawl with Coburg may have to dig deep into their own pockets to cover the club’s $800 fine.
Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman mooted the possibility of the players paying for their actions after VFL officials slapped them with the hefty fine on Monday.
“Usually we do pass these costs onto the players, but there were so many involved we’re just not sure how we’re going to handle it this time,” he said.
“Certainly the attitude of the club in melees – and the players are aware of it – is that they must be responsible for their actions and if there are fines involved they may be required to pay them.
“It is a first offence and usually in situations like this, when young players are playing at VFL level for the first time, the VFL is a little more sympathetic than they have been on this occasion.”
Woodman admitted he and fellow club officials had not ‘conditioned’ themselves for the severity of the fine, but said they would not be appealing the decision.
“We knew that given the nature of ABC television and the hype of the media that had been preceding the game that this was going to be under huge inspection,” he said.
“It’s not something we had conditioned ourselves for (but) we understand AFL Victoria’s position and accept the fine. There won’t be any appeal.”
Casey coach Peter German expected VFL officials to look at the incident, but didn’t feel there was any malice in it.
“I’ve been to a VFA grand final between Port Melbourne and Werribee, where it actually spilled into the grandstand,” he said on Saturday.
“I had two of my daughters there and we were almost caught up in it. If you’ve been to football, that was a common occurrence.
“You’ll probably find now that it’s all about a show of strength and they certainly don’t throw the punches like they used to once upon a time.
“Twenty years ago you wouldn’t have even gone near that fight in the VFA, but it was more of a show of strength and support in numbers.”