http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx
COLLINGWOOD star Heath Shaw will miss the rest of the 2011 home and away season after being suspended by the AFL for betting on football.
The League made the shock announcement on Friday that Shaw had been banned for 14 matches, six of which have been suspended, for a series of beaches, including betting on his captain Nick Maxwell to kick the first goal in the team's round 10 match against Adelaide.
Maxwell, normally a defender, started the Crows clash in the forward line.
The premiership half-back will now spend the next eight weeks on the sidelines, ruling him out until the Magpies' first final.
It is the second time an AFL player has been suspended for betting on football, but the first time the bets have involved the player's own team.
Former Port Adelaide ruckman (and now coach) Matthew Primus received a two-game ban in 2010 for placing a $20 multi-bet that included a NAB Cup match between Geelong and Carlton.
A goal umpire, two interchange stewards and a timekeeper were all suspended at the same time as Primus for separate infringements, while part-time Richmond runner Justin Quill was suspended by his club for six weeks later in the same season.
In 2007 four players - Adelaide's Simon Goodwin, Melbourne's Daniel Ward, Sydney Swan Kieren Jack and North Melbourne's David Hale - were fined for betting on matches during the previous season.
Goodwin later admitted to having a serious gambling problem.
The breach is the second distraction to Collingwood's previously smooth-sailing premiership defence in as many days, following speculation over coach Mick Malthouse's future beyond this season after a Footy Show interview on Thursday night.
Shaw has been a crucial plank in the ladder leaders' close-knit backline, highlighted by his near best-on-ground, 28-disposal performance in last year's victorious Grand Final replay.
The 25 year-old finds himself in hot water for the first time since a drink-driving incident that saw him fined and suspended by the Magpies for four home and away matches plus finals in 2008.
The defender was found to be nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit when he crashed his car in Kew after a Sunday night out, with teammate Alan Didak in the passenger seat.
Both players then lied to the club about Didak's presence, denying the forward was in the car at the time of the crash.
but can someone answer me this
the NRL had theirs last year ( betting scandal) ... the Player " Ryan Tandy " has been sacked completely by his club , & won't ever play in the NRL again .. & was arrested & charged by NSW Police
he faces jail time
here we are in almost identical circumstances
the AFL gives him an " 8 week suspension "
& the Victorian Police have no intention of arresting him
oh thats right
the Vic police .. work for the AFL
corrupt to their eye balls with zero integrity the 2 organisations
a game & a culture to despise
