Role Models

In a recent press conference, a certain recently-resurrected AFL player whom this blog will not name — see the previous post! — made a comment about role model status. Those few who have read this blog in its entirety may recall a previous posting discussing role model status.

In 2001, I wrote to The Age Letters page criticising a coronial finding censuring Gary Ablett Snr for, among other things, failing in his responsibility as a role model (see here). As I opined at the time, Ablett had not been chosen by football clubs, nor acclaimed by the football public, for his capacity to make fine moral judgements.

Late in the 2008 season, Alan Didak and sundry Shaw siblings found themselves at the ‘Poor’ end of the moral judgement continuum. I was very critical of the three Magpies. The unwritten implication was that they had entered the AFL system in full knowledge of the requirement to be a ‘role model’. Following the recent press conference aluded to above, I find myself reassessing my position on the matter of role model status. Notwithstanding that reassessment, my general criticism of the Magpie trio remains, however the implied role model criticism is withdrawn unreservedly.

In considering the issue anew following this week’s press conference, I have concluded that there cannot be blanket assumption that everyone entering the system is appropriate to the task of role model when the primary consideration is physical sporting prowess. I am inescapably drawn to the conclusion that those equipped for the task will willingly embrace it, perhaps even seek it out.

It is irrational to suppose that these 16 groups of nearly 50 males will not contain most shades of the wide spectrum of human personality. While celebrating the football and team skills of these 800-odd men and youths, we must be careful not to automatically assume fitness for moral leadership. Let those who are capable, and willing, grasp the baton themselves. Let us keep our expectations of the rest to their sporting performance.