Fevola deserves another chance says AFL - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Fevola deserves another chance says AFL

Robert Grant 19/07/2011 05:10:06 PM Comments (0)

The AFL has thrown its support behind a return to elite-level football for bad boy Brendan Fevola.

Fevola came under the microscope again at the weekend when he booted an 11-goal haul for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL.

The former star Carlton and Brisbane spearhead, who was sacked by the Lions in February after a series of off-field incidents, won the game for the Scorpions on Sunday against Frankston.

However, while the Scorpions' senior affiliate, Melbourne, is cold on the idea of promoting him, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said he would like to see the flamboyant forward at the elite level again.

"Yes I would," Demetriou said. "Our view is pretty simple. Everyone knows that we like giving individuals second chances."

Fevola virtually gave Carlton no choice but to trade him after his behaviour reached a head in 2009 with his drunken antics at the Brownlow Medal count, despite the fact he had won the Coleman Medal for leading goalkicker that season.

The Lions let him go a year later, but Demetriou said it appeared Fevola was doing everything he could to rehabilitate his image.

"Our game, our clubs are great places to help nurture talent and help reform people and help educate people," Demetriou said.

"I think Brendan Fevola is doing his very best to make progress and the fact that he kicked a bundle of goals on the weekend is another step in the right direction.

"I know he's doing things on radio and various other bits and pieces and he's making an effort and that's all you can ask of him.

"Hopefully, someone's out there noticing it and they may give him a chance."

That someone might even be the unpredictable Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy, it has been suggested - and Demetriou said Fevola could be a good fit for next year's new team.

"I'd be happy to see Brendan play (for GWS) because, when Brendan Fevola's playing football and he's on song, he's a delight to watch and he provides great entertainment.

"He can be a magnificent goalkicker and that's what we want to see but it's up to Brendan now to continue on his step-by-step progress," Demetriou said.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey is not so enthusiastic, saying unequivocally that the Demons want to develop young key position players for promotion to the seniors.

Bailey even suggested that Fevola was keeping them from developing by his dominance in attack for Casey.

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