First off, I don't particularly have a problem with the media, in particular Nine reporter Tony Jones, outing Nathan Thompson's depression.
TV, radio and the papers have their motives, not the least "getting in first" -- I've never fully accepted that one -- and operate on the basis of a complex array of priorities.
And apart from the Demons being robbed, I also know rock all about depression. Although I'm slightly dubious of the plaintive claim that Thompson would somehow be harmed by having his news released 24 hours prior to his press conference.
However, it's when media folk start with the edge-of-bullshit double talk that I get pissed off.
That happened yesterday on SEN when Hawk honcho, John Hook complained that Jones had shafted him. Seven's Craig Hutchison reported on an anonymous Hawthorn player, as agreed with Hook....
"I'd received a promise no names would be used. As far as I'm concerned, from now on, Nine can go jump."
Tony Jones -- as it happens, also an SEN announcer -- later defended his position....
"Well, hang on. There were a million ... sorry ... lots of things said in our meeting ... any of which could be ... construed as permission ... or not ... you know ... the opposite. There might have been ... a misunderstanding on his part ... there was nothing set in concrete."
I take it from the last bit that Hook did indeed have a verbal agreement which HAD, in fact, been breached, and that Jones felt the need to "politely" remind Hook, "Stiff shit. Prove it."
And this, getting hot under the collar....
"Now! Come on! It's not as if I shot the president."
No one's suggesting you did, Tone. They're just saying you're a low swine who'd rather play word games than keep your word. And your facetious, irrelevant and childish retort confirms it.
Jones' closer was the give away....
"Listen. If we hadn't revealed the name, the papers would have tomorrow."
Fine, Scoop-boy. Say it up front and save us the squirms.
Hawk's mental battle
HAWTHORN star Nathan Thompson is today expected to speak publicly about his battle with depression.
Thompson is understood to have told teammates and club officials about his condition in recent days.
The club vice-captain hopes to raise awareness of depression and help fellow sufferers.
Thompson, 26 and married with a child, is to speak publicly with the support of Jeff Kennett's depression support group beyondblue.
Hawthorn last night criticised Channel 9 for naming Thompson ahead of today's announcement.
"It takes enormous courage for anyone to come out," Hawthorn football manager John Hook said.
"It's part of their healing process too. I'm just hoping that's not going to jeopardise anything about tomorrow."
Hook told 3AW that Thompson's action could "help a lot of people out there who now suffer in silence about it".
Thompson has struggled for form this year. After missing Round 8 because of illness, he was dropped to the Box Hill Hawks for last week's match.
He has played 107 matches since making his AFL debut in 1998.
Thompson's wife Libby last year gave birth to the couple's first child, Louis.
Former Carlton star Geoff Southby spoke last night of his battles with depression.
"It makes it much harder to cope with more difficult situations that arise . . .," Southby told radio station SEN.
"Every person is individual . . . it's one of those illnesses that certainly hasn't been very well understood."
Southby praised Kennett for getting beyondblue off the ground and raising public awareness of depression.
"It is a huge problem in our society," Southby said. "It's not going to go away in a hurry, there's no doubt about that."
Couldn't agree more Tony - the aforementioned Mr Jones is scum in my book for what he has done.
As someone close to people suffering from depression and bipolar disorders, I reckon this this is a sensitive situation in anyone's book. Nathan Thompson deserves the chance to put forward what he wishes to say, how he intends on working through his depression, etc etc, without having the media name and pre-judge him.
But more basically, a journalist like Tony Jones is asked to honour his word when it comes to not naming Thompson, then breaks his word and names him just to get a scoop and one up on his rivals.
You are lying, filthy, cheating scum Jones, and your responses on radio show you as who you are - a cheap and nasty media figure without a heart or an ounce of sincerity or truthfulness. You are the sort of journalist who is not interested in getting the story across, but is more interested in making news as the person who does the story telling.
Tony Jones, you are not the news, Nathan Thompson and what he has to say are. Good on John Hook for bagging Jones, and I hope the Hawthorn seriously thinks about withdrawing its players and officials from any further involvement in Channel 9 TV shows - including the Footy Show.
That may be the only way scum like Tony Jones can be held accountable for their behaviour
Posted by: chris88 | 26 May 2004 at 16:08
Well said. Meanwhile why is this particuarly newsworthy? Every second person, myself included, goes through this shit these days. Where's my press conference?
Cue the assembled bogans sledging him about it every week from now on in though.
Posted by: Adam | 26 May 2004 at 17:49
Tony Baloney.
Posted by: boynton | 26 May 2004 at 19:12
Tony Jones can lik my ballz.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 28 May 2004 at 14:52