Why Fevola is worth the punt

After yesterdays sacking by the Brisbane Lions, in my opinion only two options remain for Brendan Fevola to salvage his career.

They are- Greater Western Sydney Giants and The NFL.

I feel Brendan Fevola would help GWS massively, as playing for GWS would help Fevola.

He would be an experienced player, amidst a GWS List of emerging talent, with Fevola able to offer guidance and expertise (if only relating to on field activities).

More importantly though, who better than to mentor and assist in developing, long term full forward prospect, Israel Folau , then one of the best full forwards the game has seen.

Some will discredit the merit in any club picking him up; given Fevola is now 30, an age where most players are in the twilight of their careers. Many have suggested the example of Ben Cousins, who Richmond took a gamble on, only for Cousins to produce two injury hampered years with the club, and failed to produce consistently good football, or near the level he was before his drug induced suspension.

However, unlike Cousins, Fevola is a forward, and is not exposed to the harsh gut-running and physical contact of midfielders, I see him still having a minimum 2-3 years left in his body. Western Bulldogs forward, Barry Hall, who is 33, and looking at playing a further year at 34, is the chief example that Fevola has many years left.

The biggest draw card for GWS though is Fevola’s marketability. He is a familiar name to even the foreign AFL audience of Sydney, and is a player that ensures bums on seats.

Fevola has the rare ability to excite and thrill crowds. Forever a showman, he can turn the game on its head with a moment of brilliance. I liken his recruitment to that of Tony Lockett, to the Swans.

Lockett brought big name marketability to the Swans, as well as significant media exposure, along with on field credibility and excitement. As a lifelong AFL fan living in Sydney, there is no doubt the Swans success and popularity of today, coincides with the Swans rebirth in 1994, led by a legendary coach and an enigmatic full forward.

The stars have aligned, and now GWS have the opportunity to do the very same.

Kevin Sheedy was a catalyst in Ben Cousin’s arrival at Richmond. No clubs before then had been willing to take on Cousins, however after Sheedy met and publicly backed Cousins, the wheels began to turn.

Sheedy said at the time-

Our game has helped a person rehabilitate and has given him another chance.

If Ben plays well for the Tigers and has a great year or two, then that's wonderful. But he's had the courage to turn his life around.

A lot of Australians want their champions to be squeaky clean, but the reality is not all of them are.

So why not help them?

“You would hope that sooner or later Ben will say "look, I've stuffed up and I'm sorry. I'm going to get into it and show people that I can be a great footballer from 30 onwards". The most important thing is that he's alive from 50 or 60 onwards”

Sheedy is a man that sees the role that the AFL can play in rehabilitating the man. If the AFL turned its back on Ben Cousins, where would he be now? It’s the same with Fevola.

Cousins was given a chance, and many felt he did enough in those two seasons to leave the game on a positive note, not completely clean, but at least his reputation had softened with the public somewhat.

Sometimes it takes someone to hit rock bottom before change occurs. For Fevola getting traded to Brisbane on a multi-million dollar salary is no where near Rock Bottom.

This week he wakes up and realizes that he may never play AFL again…and Rock Bottom looms on the horizon.

Of Course, for GWS to pick Fevola up, it would require that his demons are firmly put to bed. He won’t be on anything near a salary that he has earned in previous years, but a final chance to salvage something at the club, is simply priceless.

He will be able to work on his Demons away from the AFL fishbowl, that is Melbourne, and isolate himself away from the bright-lights and media glare in Western Sydney.

Another option is the NFL. Fevola’s career salvation could be the same thing that brought about his downfall…Punting.

Fevola would be a more than handy punter. His ability to kick the ball accurately and from long distances is what has made him special, and I see no reason that he can not follow other former AFL players such as Ben Graham and Saverio Rocca to the promise land.

As a Carlton fan, I have witnessed Fevola show great composure, concentration and mental toughness, to kick goals at key times, and he would be a great pickup for an NFL franchise.

The massive amount of money on offer in the NFL would also be enticing; given the debts Fevola has accrued due to his gambling problems.

The NFL has also shown it is willing to rehabilitate its players, and offer second chances. Michael Vick was a standout for the Philadelphia Eagles this season, after being released from Jail, following being involved in the illegal fighting rings and murder of various canines.

But would Fevola be willing to uproot, leaving his young children behind, who currently live with his former wife, Alex Fevola in Melbourne.

Some will argue that Fevola is not worthy of another chance, however I see great merit in GWS taking a gamble on Fevola. Not only is their a chance to rehabilitate a man, but also an opportunity to grow the game in a new region, gather new fans and a chance for Fevola, to leave the game on a brighter note.

Fevola has shown that he is not the greatest card player the world has seen, but now the cards are no longer in his hands and GWS can possibly dictate his fate…

For GWS, Fevola could be an ace up their sleeve.