Damn, I'm disappointed - yeah he went a bit over the top with some of his column work but I enjoyed listening to his commentary on the ABC, he was lightyears ahead of the talking heads that channel nine employs.
And after all is said about Roebuck's undeniable writing talent, there is still this matter which appeared to be forgotten. Roebuck certainly had his demons.
Ding Dong! The Witch is dead. Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch!
Ding Dong! The Wicked Witch is dead.
Wake up - sleepy head, rub your eyes, get out of bed.
Wake up, the Wicked Witch is dead. She's gone where the goblins go,
Below - below - below. Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out.
Ding Dong' the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low.
Let them know
The Wicked Witch is dead!
Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it.
-Macbeth
That's not quite true, but I couldn't resist a Shakespearian quote to mark Roebuck's passing.
55 is too young, whatever the cause.
Nil nisi bonum etc etc, but I could never read him again after the disgrace of the "wild dogs". In their way the article and the match marked a watershed for both Roebuck and the Australian cricket team.
On a good day his writing style was entertaining. On a bad day it was overlaboured - a poor man's Neville Cardus.
And like a lot of poms - particularly the left wing variety - the Aussies were always at fault.
Seems like a timely moment to publicly apologise to you Tony for my churlish shitbagging and abuse last year. Unreserved sorries to you mate, I was, and remain, a dick head.
Truth is I am an egomaniacal fuckwit and take many things to extremes and personally. Sometimes stupid, in that case definitely.
Not looking for a way in but to sincerely say, because I do like you and admire all you have achieved here and your general attitude and humour, that I am genuinely sorry that I chucked personal shit at you the way I did.
Never good to lose someone from the game. Occasional insight in his written pieces, sometimes offset by the wild swings in position from match to match... None the less, a character lost to cricket.
...and just ebay is it about hotels, foreigners, cricket, and being found dead in South Africa?
Something not right about this story...
Ian Chappell, the former Australia captain and fellow commentator, said Roebuck had always provided worthwhile company in the often self-contained, and consumed, world of the press box. "I used to regularly find an excuse to chat to him because I enjoyed his company and always felt I'd learn something from him, and I got to know him better and better down the years," Chappell said. "He was a bit of a loner but around the press box he was good company and a worthwhile opinion.
He was priceless. I too read every column and looked forward to him coming in to relieve the sometimes musty atmosphere in the ABC box. Occasionally his turn of phrase was ludicrous, but geez he had the courage of his convictions.
He was not the only person critical of Australian cricket culture. But during the Warne 'n' Gilly good times when every other article basically read as though the journalist was chugging champagne, it was bloody refreshing to have an well-informed yet undeniably "outside" voice telling some home truths.
Outside of cricket, he had a lot of interest to say about the situation in Africa, especially Zimbabwe, things that I never heard elsewhere.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion Pat and Cameron, but the way you express yours is lacking in class, fellas.
Rodney Hogg on SEN: "You won't hear anything about his personality, but he was a good cricket writer." I reckon Hoggy echoes the opinions of many Aussie cricketers, who did not like Roebuck.
It is hard to read Peter Lalor's article in the Australian without getting the feeling that there is much more to tell about Roebuck, his life and his death. I fear that little of it will be pleasant.
Anyone else been following the Penn State affair in the US?
"This office can confirm that an incident occurred last night at about 21:15 at a hotel in Claremont where a 55-year-old British national who worked as an Australian commentator committed suicide," the statement said. "The circumstances surrounding this incident is being conducted. An inquest docket has been opened for investigation."
Roebuck, 55, was in South Africa covering Australia's ongoing Test tour, including as a radio commentator for the ABC. He was spoken to by local police on his return to the Southern Sun Hotel Newlands on Saturday night after he had been out to dinner.
A statement issued by the hotel said "an incident that occurred at Southern Sun Newlands" was currently under full police investigation. No further details were given.
A very sincere apology from Pat (not sure what for, but an impressive apology nonetheless) -- good on you, Pat.
As for Peter Roebuck, his commentaries were always witty and his columns were required reading -- even if coming from a strange perspective on occasions. Very few of us write as much as Peter Roebuck did, but we probably manage to be wrong, guilty of woolly thinking, or churlish about as often as he did. And we are not publicly pilloried the way he was (including by me).
His record as a cricketer suggests that he should have played test cricket for England, and probably would have done as well as many others have. I believe he was also a good coach of young players, too.
His death is a loss to the cricketing community, and the community of sports writers and journalists.
Were there "hidden demons"? Possibly, but we may never know -- and let those who are without peccadillos be the first to be leather flingers of stones.
It seems to have been a sordid end. Roebuck took his own life in the context of a police investigation. 10 years ago Roebuck was convicted of caning the buttocks of teenage boys in his care. The judge thought self-gratification had been Roebuck's motive. Outside of journalism, he was an odd man, to say the least.
I didn't read his columns anymore and don't think he was anywhere near as good a writer as Gideon Haigh (not to mention a few of the blogs around either) but what an awful way to go. You have to feel sorry for someone feeling that bad that it's their only way out.
matt-Penn State was one of the first thing's I thought of when hearing of this vile creatures passing.
chris rees-somnething I value more than displaying class on the internet is the sanctity of the teacher-student or player-coach relationship. A relationship which is built around trust and should exclude sexual relations of any type no matter what the age or sex of the parties involved. The article that Tony has linked to states:
'widespread gossip in media circles that Peter Roebuck was an exploitative sexual predator who used his money and clout to have his way with the poorest and most desperate of kids who wanted a way out of poverty and a chance to play cricket an elite level that Roebuck was tempting them with.'
Chris as someone who advertises that he has two young boys on his blog mast may I suggest you give that some quote some thought. Perhaps you'll still side with Roebuck because you admire his prose style but that's your call. At least your not like those 'classless' internet commenters.
Roebuck should have been banished from the game as soon he was found guilty of the first abuse case. If the latest allegations prove to be true and people were covering up for him then their heads have to roll and criminal proceedings started if possible.
Looks like were in for another sorry episode in the sideshow that is modern cricket. Golf anyone?
Old Spanky gone? Can't believe it mate, much like losing a member of the family. Legend in his own kitchen (with a cane at least) but a bloody good writer. Opened the batting back home but still a bloody strange bloke.
Hey lads, let's not forget the man was a convicted teenage naked buttock caner amongst our eulogies. Spanky turned me off teaching my own son cricket, not only because Spanky had a hankering for spankering but because he wrote columns that dedicated his BILE towards what he called "Anglos" (and that's a Spanky quote) and how they should make way for the justice deserving tide of non-Anglos (regardless of the fact that me and my boys aren't Anglo - but I knew what he meant).
It's a thing, perhaps an ANGLO thing, to speak well of the dead - regardless of their living - but it's a thing - a CELTIC thing - to state the facts regardless of circumstances or, particularly noting circumstances. And in this sudden, untimely demise of Spanky I come here to shitbag him for all the shit that he bagged upon me and my kind.
We all go to death, so there is nothing unusual here, but let me say that: today I am gladdened that this despicable piece of shit can no longer take his pay and insult us with the same Shakespearean quotes regurgitated time and again as if he had any inkling or LOVE for the language. The same contrarian misplaced justice, as if he had ever any understanding of justice or the game. His "heretofores", his "thereabouts", his faux erudite adjudications of dispassion conjoined with love were all a charade that any loyal son could feel in their bones.
For here was a man who forsook kith, and kin, and gave his all to perversity, fame, and the coin.
He rankled in high dudgeon about Pakistani bribes yet he, of all people showed no taste, no dignity, no forgiveness, no human affinity that he of all people eternally castigated his readers for being bereft of LOVE. He was and remains in the grave a hypocrite, a scumbag, a charlatan, a flake, a humbug.
If any words should bury him they should be the return to the Dauphin: scorn, contempt, derision.
I despised him and I despise him still.
"Yes, I have seen wicked men buried and in their graves, but on the way back from the cemetery people praise them in the very city where they did their evil." Ecclesiastes 8:10
Hey Pat, here's the average cricket fans reaction to Roebucks death:
'I'm not sure I agree with the whole abusing vulnerable young men who were put in his care thing...but he was a marvelous prose stylist and his sultry tones filled the summer air with joy.'
I'll put it in Big Lebowski terms for you morally decrepit dumb-dumbs:
The Dude: Fuckin' Roebuck... that creep can write, man.
Walter Sobchak: Yeah, but he's a pervert, Dude.
The Dude: Yeah.
Walter Sobchak: No, he's a sex offender. With a record. He got 4 months suspended from Taunton Crown Court for spanking young players who were in his care with a cane. The judge said 'It seems so unusual that it must have been done to satisfy some need in you.'
The Dude: Oh!
Walter Sobchak: Then he moved to Australia and got jobs with Fairfax and the ABC and everyone pretended nothing had ever happened even though rumours continued to persist that he was abusing other youngsters.
Donny: What's a... convicted teenage naked buttock caner, Walter?
Walter Sobchak: Shut the fuck up, Donny.
The story does have a sandy, dusky texture to it... but even though the dead can't sue for defamation, I'd be wary of making allegations. The truth will out now, either way.
When the guy commits suicide by jumping from a window WHILE being questioned by the cops and after doing a little googling and seeing the source info for Cameron and Pats comments, I'm beginning to agree with them.
I'm saddened by the death, the possible circumstances around the death, and the level of nastiness displayed here before anyone can possibly have the true story.
SOUTH African police have launched an inquest into the death of cricket commentator Peter Roebuck after the esteemed journalist plunged six storeys to his death from a Cape Town hotel room.
Police captain Frederick Van Wyk confirmed last night that Roebuck, 55, died at about 9.15pm on Saturday. The matter was being treated as suicide.
It is understood Roebuck had earlier been spoken to by Cape Town police, who were investigating claims of sexual assault.
The simple fact that Cow Corner Warner is the first person called up as a reserve for a touring squad speaks volumes about the lack of depth in Australian cricket. The best you can say is that CCW is currently in the runs, so at least the selectors are picking players on form. But Cow Corner is not (yet) my idea of a seasoned batsman ready for national honours.
Tony at best this was a man who breached the coach-player relationship by abusing young men under his duty of care for his own gratification. That he was not thrown out of cricket for this is a mark of shame on the game. Definitely he should have been banned from coaching for life as he was a convicted predator. Let the ABC listeners and Fairfax readers continue to enjoy his words whilst they rationalise away his deeds if they so desire.
At worst this was a man who has set up cricket coaching academy's/charities for the systematic purpose of having access to young men to prey on. If these young men prove to be below the age of consent well we are dealing with a whole different level of depravity.
I am disgusted by the Australian cricket community's reaction to his suicide. I knew his journo 'mates' would glorify him but you'd think the average cricket fan would have a shred of morality. I said 'good riddance' when they were still scraping his carcass off the hotel pavement and I stand by that. I only wish I could be satisfied with his passing but alas I can't due to my feeling's of sorrow towards the victims of this beasts crimes.
'Personal pursuits'? You mean 'abuse' don't you? Don't worry just keep rationalising it away like everyone else.
I'm guessing if this guy was a male intellectual and his victims young female university students under his care we wouldn't be seeing the same 'sweep it under the rug' response by the great and good in the media.
a) No-one knows the precise circumstances of the first caning incident. I'll tell you one thing though - Roebuck took his punishment, admitted his error, and kept going and rebuilt a career. And that's not bloody easy I'll wager.
None of this "Sorry if I've offended anyone" bullshit.
b) I'd be wary of bundling everyone who wants to see the facts before making a judgment into the "leftie ABC listeners" category. Humans have a little more nuance than you'd give them credit for.
c) It sure doesn't look good at this stage.
And yeah Nick at 4th comment, you are completely correct.
Bolt writes: But the manner of his leaving suggests his personal demons overwhelmed him:...
Oh poor Spanky, overwhelmed by demons. That's probably what the boys he molested said.
Boy: "Hey Dad guess what?"
Dad: "What son?"
Boy: "Last night I was overwhelmed by a demon."
Dad: "Oh, really? That's interesting. Did the demon teach you correct technique?"
Boy: "Sure did papa, though I'm still not convinced straddling the wicket with my bum facing the bowler is what constitutes a good defence. Matter of fact I feel quite vulnerable. Still, Spanky knows best. He's even read some Shakespeare and can quote some Ancient Greek love poems to young boys. Thoroughly impressive man."
Dad: "Sure is son, sure is. Just wish he'd put on some deodorant. Christ, he smells like a whore's snapper."
He was tormented as only genius can be. The circumstances of his death attest to it.
The circumstances of Roebuck’s death, so far as we are presently aware, attest to a man concerned that he might face sexual assault allegations. This is nothing to do with genius, tormented or otherwise. Others have killed themselves in similar situations. They weren’t cricket writers.
Slanderyou is filth but you know what you are going to get there.
Spanky's peers are laying it on pretty thick today and all dancing around the fact that he appears to have jumped rather than face some heavy duty investigations and possibly, given a cop was apparently in the room with him, to avoid an arrest.
Not really the actions of a top bloke admired by all according to the reportage so far.
he was once accosted by Mark Nicholas, who penned a regular column himself at the time and informed Roebuck that they were the best cricket writers around. “Who told you that” quipped Roebuck, “your mother?”
Landeryou's article is his usual schtick but the facts in the "common assault" case are clear and should have been enough to warn him away from coaching and mentoring young cricketers for life. He was charged with indecent assault and copped a plea to common assault. The facts of the case accepted by the court were that Roebuck, having caned three 19-year old men who were in his care on the buttocks (but with trousers on), then pulled at least one of the men towards him "affectionately" afterwards and asked to see the marks! His defence, such as it was for a guilty plea, was that the caning was discipline in the tough English boarding school manner - which would be treated with derision if almost anyone but Roebuck was to make the same claim. The judge in sentencing was clear he didn't buy the explanation - telling Roebuck that the spanking must have been done to meet some need in him.
Roebuck may not be a out-and-out perv, but he took advantage of poor and vulnerable young men entrusted to his charge and used them for his own sexual gratification in the guise of assisting them. It does not matter what the SA police were investigating him for, what he had already admitted to should have been enough to prevent him for working with young cricketers for life. Instead he was at least indulged in some manner by people in cricket who should have known better.
If he had stuck to writing and broadcasting cricket after this case then I would feel much more charitably towards him than I do now. However, Roebuck continued to seek out opportunities to be in contact with young men with limited opportunities and options and thus potentially vulnerable to coercion. He had them stay in his house, brought them gifts and paid for their education - putting them in his debt. Given his past history it doesn't pass the smell test and questions should have been asked before now.
Matt you have got the facts of the case badly wrong.
I suggest you get the facts before you , I believe the expression is, Bolt yourself further.
Culture is an important ingredient here.
My sources have informed me that Geoffrey Leonard's interview with A Current Affair has proven irresistible, and he is now being fast tracked into the top cricket writer position at the SMH, with possible work on ABC's Grandstand. Like Roebuck, Leonard is a tortured genius and masterly writer.
Don - can you expand on what facts Matt has got badly wrong? I'd be curious to hear what role culture has played in this matter as well.
Various people here are saying that we should reserve our judgement until we hear more. I have no problem with that in general, but what we have here is a press that are doing the exact opposite. For the most part, everyone is writing hero-grams about what a stormin', although complicated, geezer Roebuck was and how much he will be missed. I don't live in Australia anymore, but from what I'm seeing on social media, anyone there who has ever read the back pages is currently saying "aw, that nice man with the plummy voice has died, isn't that a shame".
My question is this: what message are we putting out if he really is revealed to have been a monster? That it's ok to perform evil deeds so long as you can put a sentence or two in the right order? Why does reserving our judgment on the manner of his death somehow also oblige us to swallow the idea that he was a pillar of cricket and a great guy?
TONY
Friends, Aussies, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Roebuck, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Roebuck. The noble Hannagan
Hath told you Roebuck was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Roebuck answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Cameron and the rest--
For Hannagan is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men--
Come I to speak in Roebuck's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Hannagan says he was ambitious;
And Hannagan is an honourable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Roebuck seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Roebuck hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Cameron says he was ambitious;
And Cameron is an honourable man.
Shakespeare - Julius Caesar (amended)
I am a sick man.... I am a spiteful man. I am an unattractive man. I
believe my liver is diseased. However, I know nothing at all about my
disease, and do not know for certain what ails me. I don't consult a
doctor for it, and never have, though I have a respect for medicine and
doctors. Besides, I am extremely superstitious, sufficiently so to
respect medicine, anyway (I am well-educated enough not to be
superstitious, but I am superstitious). No, I refuse to consult a
doctor from spite. That you probably will not understand. Well, I
understand it, though. Of course, I can't explain who it is precisely
that I am mortifying in this case by my spite: I am perfectly well
aware that I cannot "pay out" the doctors by not consulting them; I
know better than anyone that by all this I am only injuring myself and
no one else. But still, if I don't consult a doctor it is from spite.
My liver is bad, well--let it get worse!
firstly, allegations that roebuck was "a paedo" are unbelievably ignorant. that such comments are not moderated is beyond me. i would recommend any of roebuck's family to sue. show me the evidence - unless you can your allegations are a disgrace. caning a 19 year old does not equate to paedophilia.
secondly, so you all presume roebuck was perverted. well, maybe he was tortured. but what about the giving he sought to give, what about the guys supported by him who have nothing but praise and gratitude? how much are some of you giving in your lives? or are you just taking, and making snide remarks based on gossip and innuendo? some of this is utterly pathetic.
so, if you believe the herald son, the guy roebuck may or may not have made a pass at was 26!
roebuck might well have been tortured about his sexuality. perhaps that is not altogeher surprising in the sort of weird, twisted, prejudiced world SOME of you guys help create. as far as i know paedophilia does not apply to 26 year olds.
Antiblogger - he was convicted of assault of a three young men under his care. Yes, technically it's not paedophilia, but the judge made clear that he thought there was something untoward going on. These are not the actions of a man who is as pure as you seem to be implying.
You're probably right, there are some people here that are swinging around some fairly hefty allegations without much evidence - but hey, it's a blog. You're also asking us to assume that he was some sort of white knight without much evidence of your own. Even if you do find evidence, it would prove nothing anyway - if the record shows that some people thought he was fantastic, it would not dis-prove that he was less than fantastic to others. He was being quesioned about a sexual assault when he took his own life - as Via Collins says ealier on "it doesn't look good".
"hey it's a blog" is no defence. are blogs able to destroy reputayions without proof? and they say the tabloids are bad.
i don't think he was a white knight at all. i think he was a tortured soul, and that obviously caused major issues, misjudgments and a court case in which he was found guilty 10 years ago, and suggestions of an incident with a 26-yr-old about which we know nothing
but i also think he tried to do a lot of good and there are many young guys - both in journalism and outside journalism - who testify to that.
Ok. That may (or may not) put some of this in some perspective.
Attempting to have sex with someone without their consent is still a pretty serious crime, isn't it? On balance I'd rather be accused of rape over paedophilia, but surely there's not THAT much in it, is there?
Bad people can do good things, and vice versa. It's called Life. What I don't like is the disingenuousness of some of the reporting that's going on. And like Pat, I really hate the way that people are mis-remembered on account of the fact that they happened to have shuffled off. You want to talk about a person, talk about them warts and all. It's certainly how I'd like to be remembered.
Any chance of an app, Tone? Writing comments on my I-phone is bloody difficult!
The teacher-student (or coach-athlete) relationship is sacred. Teachers fucking or attempting to fuck students is totally, unequivocally, morally reprehensible. It is dishonorable because it detracts from the honour of holding a position of respect. Those who attempts such acts should be thrown out of the occupation or sport they are teaching. Cricket failed these young men and journalists and cricket fans are/were happy to overlook this because they liked the perpetrators writing style.
It is alleged Roebuck, 55, met a man, 26, at the hotel with plans to discuss a possible university sponsorship.
Roebuck is alleged to have tried to seduce the friend and have sex with him against his will, The New Age website said.
It wasn't only that he tried to have sex with the guy against his will, but he also lured him to his hotel room under the pretence of getting him a university scholarship.
Old Spanky will be getting his punishment from the devil as we speak...in the form of six whacks of a cane across his white buttocks. And I really think he will enjoy it. G'day folks.....
The last line of his last column:
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:02 AM
"It is believed he was spoken to by police earlier in the day."
I assume there will be more on this.
Vale P. Roebuck. Mad columns and all, at least he was always interesting.
Posted by: Brettwp | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Yes, I left the following comment in another post:
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:18 AM
The man who would have best covered this story is the story.
Posted by: Nick | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Good point, Nick.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:28 AM
No more "flibbertigibbets".
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:33 AM
No more "dibbly dobblers".
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:33 AM
No more "willow wielders".
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:33 AM
No more "leather flingers".
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:34 AM
No more "wild dogs". (Or, perhaps we don't want to go there?)
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Good riddance.
Posted by: Cameron | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Harsh.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Even if Roebuck has done something to warrant Cameron's comment above....can't really punish him any more for it
Posted by: Nick | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Damn, I'm disappointed - yeah he went a bit over the top with some of his column work but I enjoyed listening to his commentary on the ABC, he was lightyears ahead of the talking heads that channel nine employs.
Posted by: Vindicate | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 12:13 PM
You guys a probably right. I should be angry with his dim witted Australian audience who were happy to be lectured to by a pompous left-wing pom.
Posted by: Cameron | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 12:16 PM
You mean ABC listeners Cam?
Posted by: Bob | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Hope he was flinging his leather with the wrong crowd but it does look suspicious. Top commentator and nutty but entertaining journo. Very sad.
Posted by: RT | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 01:00 PM
And after all is said about Roebuck's undeniable writing talent, there is still this matter which appeared to be forgotten. Roebuck certainly had his demons.
Posted by: Matt | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 01:01 PM
That should read wasn't, not was....
Posted by: RT | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Sad to hear it. I dread the revelations to follow.
Posted by: m0nty | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Ding Dong! The Witch is dead. Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch!
Ding Dong! The Wicked Witch is dead.
Wake up - sleepy head, rub your eyes, get out of bed.
Wake up, the Wicked Witch is dead. She's gone where the goblins go,
Below - below - below. Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out.
Ding Dong' the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low.
Let them know
The Wicked Witch is dead!
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 02:14 PM
No time for him nor his wild dogs.
But that said, still, 55 is too young. And if by his own hand, awful news.
Posted by: chris | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 03:34 PM
That's Glenn Mitchell gone from the ABC and now Roebuck. Who is Kerry O'Keefe going to tell his stupid stories to? Drew Muppett?
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it.
-Macbeth
That's not quite true, but I couldn't resist a Shakespearian quote to mark Roebuck's passing.
55 is too young, whatever the cause.
Nil nisi bonum etc etc, but I could never read him again after the disgrace of the "wild dogs". In their way the article and the match marked a watershed for both Roebuck and the Australian cricket team.
On a good day his writing style was entertaining. On a bad day it was overlaboured - a poor man's Neville Cardus.
And like a lot of poms - particularly the left wing variety - the Aussies were always at fault.
He was always good on the radio though.
Posted by: The Mongrel | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Seems like a timely moment to publicly apologise to you Tony for my churlish shitbagging and abuse last year. Unreserved sorries to you mate, I was, and remain, a dick head.
Truth is I am an egomaniacal fuckwit and take many things to extremes and personally. Sometimes stupid, in that case definitely.
Not looking for a way in but to sincerely say, because I do like you and admire all you have achieved here and your general attitude and humour, that I am genuinely sorry that I chucked personal shit at you the way I did.
Sorry and long may AGB live, which is you.
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Never good to lose someone from the game. Occasional insight in his written pieces, sometimes offset by the wild swings in position from match to match... None the less, a character lost to cricket.
...and just ebay is it about hotels, foreigners, cricket, and being found dead in South Africa?
Something not right about this story...
Posted by: @TKYC | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 04:44 PM
Ebay??... Lets try 'what' instead ...stupid auto correct!
Posted by: @TKYC | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 04:46 PM
I'm gonna miss him.
Posted by: SaggyGreen | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 05:13 PM
Pat, thanks for the apology.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 06:10 PM
I suspect Spanky and Chappelli shared a mutual loathing of Ian Botham:
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 06:15 PM
I'm going to miss him, too. After all, I have a whole category dedicated to bagging him.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 06:23 PM
He was priceless. I too read every column and looked forward to him coming in to relieve the sometimes musty atmosphere in the ABC box. Occasionally his turn of phrase was ludicrous, but geez he had the courage of his convictions.
He was not the only person critical of Australian cricket culture. But during the Warne 'n' Gilly good times when every other article basically read as though the journalist was chugging champagne, it was bloody refreshing to have an well-informed yet undeniably "outside" voice telling some home truths.
Outside of cricket, he had a lot of interest to say about the situation in Africa, especially Zimbabwe, things that I never heard elsewhere.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion Pat and Cameron, but the way you express yours is lacking in class, fellas.
Posted by: chris rees @4boat | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 06:41 PM
A great shame.
I agree with Hasha Bogle ( is that how you spell his name?)
He loved cricket and the english language. I always liked reading but I didn't always agree with him.
I loved listening to him especially with Aggers.
I will miss him.
Posted by: The Don has risen | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Rodney Hogg on SEN: "You won't hear anything about his personality, but he was a good cricket writer." I reckon Hoggy echoes the opinions of many Aussie cricketers, who did not like Roebuck.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 07:30 PM
SA cops have confirmed it was suicide, but won't say why they questioned him.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 07:32 PM
It is hard to read Peter Lalor's article in the Australian without getting the feeling that there is much more to tell about Roebuck, his life and his death. I fear that little of it will be pleasant.
Anyone else been following the Penn State affair in the US?
Posted by: Matt | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Read that earlier. Statements like "police have removed personal items from his room" rarely bode well.
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 07:49 PM
A very sincere apology from Pat (not sure what for, but an impressive apology nonetheless) -- good on you, Pat.
As for Peter Roebuck, his commentaries were always witty and his columns were required reading -- even if coming from a strange perspective on occasions. Very few of us write as much as Peter Roebuck did, but we probably manage to be wrong, guilty of woolly thinking, or churlish about as often as he did. And we are not publicly pilloried the way he was (including by me).
His record as a cricketer suggests that he should have played test cricket for England, and probably would have done as well as many others have. I believe he was also a good coach of young players, too.
His death is a loss to the cricketing community, and the community of sports writers and journalists.
Were there "hidden demons"? Possibly, but we may never know -- and let those who are without peccadillos be the first to be leather flingers of stones.
Posted by: Professor Rosseforp | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 08:01 PM
It seems to have been a sordid end. Roebuck took his own life in the context of a police investigation. 10 years ago Roebuck was convicted of caning the buttocks of teenage boys in his care. The judge thought self-gratification had been Roebuck's motive. Outside of journalism, he was an odd man, to say the least.
Posted by: Alto | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Andrew Landeryou gives Roebuck a caning: Did the ABC and Fairfax turn a blind eye to their own criminal sexual predator?
Posted by: Tony | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Strange how people seem to die after weird results in cricket. Just saying...
Posted by: murph | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 08:39 PM
I didn't read his columns anymore and don't think he was anywhere near as good a writer as Gideon Haigh (not to mention a few of the blogs around either) but what an awful way to go. You have to feel sorry for someone feeling that bad that it's their only way out.
Posted by: lou | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 08:43 PM
matt-Penn State was one of the first thing's I thought of when hearing of this vile creatures passing.
chris rees-somnething I value more than displaying class on the internet is the sanctity of the teacher-student or player-coach relationship. A relationship which is built around trust and should exclude sexual relations of any type no matter what the age or sex of the parties involved. The article that Tony has linked to states:
'widespread gossip in media circles that Peter Roebuck was an exploitative sexual predator who used his money and clout to have his way with the poorest and most desperate of kids who wanted a way out of poverty and a chance to play cricket an elite level that Roebuck was tempting them with.'
Chris as someone who advertises that he has two young boys on his blog mast may I suggest you give that some quote some thought. Perhaps you'll still side with Roebuck because you admire his prose style but that's your call. At least your not like those 'classless' internet commenters.
Roebuck should have been banished from the game as soon he was found guilty of the first abuse case. If the latest allegations prove to be true and people were covering up for him then their heads have to roll and criminal proceedings started if possible.
Looks like were in for another sorry episode in the sideshow that is modern cricket. Golf anyone?
Posted by: Cameron | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 09:23 PM
*Sigh*. Now I'll never get to unfurl my "Spanky's a wanker" banner at the SCG!
Mixed feelings here. I completely despised him - and I know I'm not alone, here of all places! - but that doesn't mean it's not sad news.
Posted by: Carrot | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Old Spanky gone? Can't believe it mate, much like losing a member of the family. Legend in his own kitchen (with a cane at least) but a bloody good writer. Opened the batting back home but still a bloody strange bloke.
Posted by: Brett Pee | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 09:57 PM
Hey lads, let's not forget the man was a convicted teenage naked buttock caner amongst our eulogies. Spanky turned me off teaching my own son cricket, not only because Spanky had a hankering for spankering but because he wrote columns that dedicated his BILE towards what he called "Anglos" (and that's a Spanky quote) and how they should make way for the justice deserving tide of non-Anglos (regardless of the fact that me and my boys aren't Anglo - but I knew what he meant).
It's a thing, perhaps an ANGLO thing, to speak well of the dead - regardless of their living - but it's a thing - a CELTIC thing - to state the facts regardless of circumstances or, particularly noting circumstances. And in this sudden, untimely demise of Spanky I come here to shitbag him for all the shit that he bagged upon me and my kind.
We all go to death, so there is nothing unusual here, but let me say that: today I am gladdened that this despicable piece of shit can no longer take his pay and insult us with the same Shakespearean quotes regurgitated time and again as if he had any inkling or LOVE for the language. The same contrarian misplaced justice, as if he had ever any understanding of justice or the game. His "heretofores", his "thereabouts", his faux erudite adjudications of dispassion conjoined with love were all a charade that any loyal son could feel in their bones.
For here was a man who forsook kith, and kin, and gave his all to perversity, fame, and the coin.
He rankled in high dudgeon about Pakistani bribes yet he, of all people showed no taste, no dignity, no forgiveness, no human affinity that he of all people eternally castigated his readers for being bereft of LOVE. He was and remains in the grave a hypocrite, a scumbag, a charlatan, a flake, a humbug.
If any words should bury him they should be the return to the Dauphin: scorn, contempt, derision.
I despised him and I despise him still.
"Yes, I have seen wicked men buried and in their graves, but on the way back from the cemetery people praise them in the very city where they did their evil." Ecclesiastes 8:10
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Hey Pat, here's the average cricket fans reaction to Roebucks death:
'I'm not sure I agree with the whole abusing vulnerable young men who were put in his care thing...but he was a marvelous prose stylist and his sultry tones filled the summer air with joy.'
I'll put it in Big Lebowski terms for you morally decrepit dumb-dumbs:
The Dude: Fuckin' Roebuck... that creep can write, man.
Walter Sobchak: Yeah, but he's a pervert, Dude.
The Dude: Yeah.
Walter Sobchak: No, he's a sex offender. With a record. He got 4 months suspended from Taunton Crown Court for spanking young players who were in his care with a cane. The judge said 'It seems so unusual that it must have been done to satisfy some need in you.'
The Dude: Oh!
Walter Sobchak: Then he moved to Australia and got jobs with Fairfax and the ABC and everyone pretended nothing had ever happened even though rumours continued to persist that he was abusing other youngsters.
Donny: What's a... convicted teenage naked buttock caner, Walter?
Walter Sobchak: Shut the fuck up, Donny.
Posted by: Cameron | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 10:52 PM
The story does have a sandy, dusky texture to it... but even though the dead can't sue for defamation, I'd be wary of making allegations. The truth will out now, either way.
Posted by: m0nty | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 02:27 AM
When the guy commits suicide by jumping from a window WHILE being questioned by the cops and after doing a little googling and seeing the source info for Cameron and Pats comments, I'm beginning to agree with them.
Posted by: Nick | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 02:31 AM
i have read some of the stuff written about Peter Roebuck by "Tony" in the past on this website and it is totally ignorant and shameful.
Posted by: antiblogger | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 06:05 AM
antiblogger,
You back convicted teenage naked buttock caner.
Cheers
Posted by: murph | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 06:28 AM
I'm saddened by the death, the possible circumstances around the death, and the level of nastiness displayed here before anyone can possibly have the true story.
Posted by: Short Fine Gonzo | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Anyone for Milo cricket?
Posted by: Michael Jackson | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Jeez, you blokes are tough.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Still... Peter Badel has more at The Oz:
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:17 AM
Neal Collins is a British sport journalist currently based in South Africa: "watch my bottom".
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:19 AM
I'll be thinking about my own mortality if David Warner gets a game.
Posted by: RT | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:22 AM
Come on, Antiblogger, admit it - all my stuff on Roebuck is gold.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:28 AM
The simple fact that Cow Corner Warner is the first person called up as a reserve for a touring squad speaks volumes about the lack of depth in Australian cricket. The best you can say is that CCW is currently in the runs, so at least the selectors are picking players on form. But Cow Corner is not (yet) my idea of a seasoned batsman ready for national honours.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:31 AM
Tough?
Tony at best this was a man who breached the coach-player relationship by abusing young men under his duty of care for his own gratification. That he was not thrown out of cricket for this is a mark of shame on the game. Definitely he should have been banned from coaching for life as he was a convicted predator. Let the ABC listeners and Fairfax readers continue to enjoy his words whilst they rationalise away his deeds if they so desire.
At worst this was a man who has set up cricket coaching academy's/charities for the systematic purpose of having access to young men to prey on. If these young men prove to be below the age of consent well we are dealing with a whole different level of depravity.
I am disgusted by the Australian cricket community's reaction to his suicide. I knew his journo 'mates' would glorify him but you'd think the average cricket fan would have a shred of morality. I said 'good riddance' when they were still scraping his carcass off the hotel pavement and I stand by that. I only wish I could be satisfied with his passing but alas I can't due to my feeling's of sorrow towards the victims of this beasts crimes.
Posted by: Cameron | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:37 AM
Cam, I'm not excusing his personal pursuits and I understand that stories will and should come out, but he is only just cold on the slab.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 08:51 AM
'Personal pursuits'? You mean 'abuse' don't you? Don't worry just keep rationalising it away like everyone else.
I'm guessing if this guy was a male intellectual and his victims young female university students under his care we wouldn't be seeing the same 'sweep it under the rug' response by the great and good in the media.
Posted by: Cameron | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:28 AM
I'm not rationalising it away. I'm not sweeping it under the rug - if I was I would have deleted comments. I'm not giving it any equivalence.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:38 AM
Fair enough. Thanks for the forum.
Posted by: Cameron | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:41 AM
A few things occur to me reading the above
a) No-one knows the precise circumstances of the first caning incident. I'll tell you one thing though - Roebuck took his punishment, admitted his error, and kept going and rebuilt a career. And that's not bloody easy I'll wager.
None of this "Sorry if I've offended anyone" bullshit.
b) I'd be wary of bundling everyone who wants to see the facts before making a judgment into the "leftie ABC listeners" category. Humans have a little more nuance than you'd give them credit for.
c) It sure doesn't look good at this stage.
And yeah Nick at 4th comment, you are completely correct.
Posted by: via collins | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Wouldn't it be grand if you could somehow get into the mortuary and give his cadaver a good kicking - ah, the stuff of dreams!
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Sources say that Roebuck's last words were "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...." splat.
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Ooh ooh you're so 'nuanced' collins. If you want to address me do it by name not by leaving general comments you fucking coward.
Posted by: Cameron | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:53 AM
An ode to Roebuck (well, in a sense - he did call for Punter's head a couple of times).
Hope you enjoy the read. It's on middle and shaping away.
http://therestijustsquandered.com/2011/11/13/bye-punter/
Posted by: Purple Shag | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Greg Baum says:
He was a tall, spare, fit man who lived an austere, almost ascetic life, not indulging in such fripperies as deodorant.
I always knew there was something off about him. You could smell it a mile away.
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:02 AM
The response on Landeryou's site is an illustration of exactly how far the left will go to defend their ideological comrades.
Posted by: Yobbo | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Cant say much about that Vexnews link, Tones... seems a particularly snarky, bile-filled piece. Quite unworthy of your blog.
Posted by: TKYC | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Bolt writes: But the manner of his leaving suggests his personal demons overwhelmed him:...
Oh poor Spanky, overwhelmed by demons. That's probably what the boys he molested said.
Boy: "Hey Dad guess what?"
Dad: "What son?"
Boy: "Last night I was overwhelmed by a demon."
Dad: "Oh, really? That's interesting. Did the demon teach you correct technique?"
Boy: "Sure did papa, though I'm still not convinced straddling the wicket with my bum facing the bowler is what constitutes a good defence. Matter of fact I feel quite vulnerable. Still, Spanky knows best. He's even read some Shakespeare and can quote some Ancient Greek love poems to young boys. Thoroughly impressive man."
Dad: "Sure is son, sure is. Just wish he'd put on some deodorant. Christ, he smells like a whore's snapper."
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:44 AM
TKYC: another leftists who's rationalisation hamster is about to fall off it's wheel.
Posted by: Cameron | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:55 AM
An unusually excellent post from Tim Blair sums it all up. Highly recommended.
The last lines:
A final, worrying line from Fairfax’s Greg Baum:
He was tormented as only genius can be. The circumstances of his death attest to it.
The circumstances of Roebuck’s death, so far as we are presently aware, attest to a man concerned that he might face sexual assault allegations. This is nothing to do with genius, tormented or otherwise. Others have killed themselves in similar situations. They weren’t cricket writers.
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Saint Spanky.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 12:42 PM
TK, don't shoot the messenger, man. I know Andrew gives it both barrels, but I want to link to different perspectives.
With that in mind: today's Age Sport front page.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 12:51 PM
Slanderyou is filth but you know what you are going to get there.
Spanky's peers are laying it on pretty thick today and all dancing around the fact that he appears to have jumped rather than face some heavy duty investigations and possibly, given a cop was apparently in the room with him, to avoid an arrest.
Not really the actions of a top bloke admired by all according to the reportage so far.
Posted by: Bruce | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Each to their own,
I liked Roers and like Haigh. If I asked my preference or who I would prefer to read in the morning it would have been Roers.
As for Judgment concerning Roers I will wait until the evidence is in.
I do know people who committed suicide simply on allegations which turned out to be wrong. didn't think of his family or friends!
Posted by: The Don has risen | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Derek Pringle: Peter Roebuck was a brilliant writer and brave batsman, but he was never destined to live an easy life.
Posted by: Tony | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Landeryou's article is a disgrace.
Lots of allegations but not a smidgin of evidence.
If you are going to get stuck into someone at least have some evidence or even better wait for the evidence to appear!
Derek's article is a good one too. It is amazing how many average cricketers turn out to be excellent writers/ commentators and vica versa.
On the former Roers. Aggers ,Pringle, etc
On the latter Channel 9
Posted by: The Don has risen | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Quoted for truth and great justice.
Posted by: m0nty | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Headline of the week from Prof. Bunyip: "Peter Roebuck Tosses Himself Off One Last Time"
Posted by: SB | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Landeryou's article is his usual schtick but the facts in the "common assault" case are clear and should have been enough to warn him away from coaching and mentoring young cricketers for life. He was charged with indecent assault and copped a plea to common assault. The facts of the case accepted by the court were that Roebuck, having caned three 19-year old men who were in his care on the buttocks (but with trousers on), then pulled at least one of the men towards him "affectionately" afterwards and asked to see the marks! His defence, such as it was for a guilty plea, was that the caning was discipline in the tough English boarding school manner - which would be treated with derision if almost anyone but Roebuck was to make the same claim. The judge in sentencing was clear he didn't buy the explanation - telling Roebuck that the spanking must have been done to meet some need in him.
Roebuck may not be a out-and-out perv, but he took advantage of poor and vulnerable young men entrusted to his charge and used them for his own sexual gratification in the guise of assisting them. It does not matter what the SA police were investigating him for, what he had already admitted to should have been enough to prevent him for working with young cricketers for life. Instead he was at least indulged in some manner by people in cricket who should have known better.
If he had stuck to writing and broadcasting cricket after this case then I would feel much more charitably towards him than I do now. However, Roebuck continued to seek out opportunities to be in contact with young men with limited opportunities and options and thus potentially vulnerable to coercion. He had them stay in his house, brought them gifts and paid for their education - putting them in his debt. Given his past history it doesn't pass the smell test and questions should have been asked before now.
Posted by: Matt | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 06:08 PM
Matt you have got the facts of the case badly wrong.
I suggest you get the facts before you , I believe the expression is, Bolt yourself further.
Culture is an important ingredient here.
All history is past also.
Posted by: The Don has risen | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Is it 24 hours before jokes about the deceased become socially acceptable?
Posted by: Bob | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 07:43 PM
My sources have informed me that Geoffrey Leonard's interview with A Current Affair has proven irresistible, and he is now being fast tracked into the top cricket writer position at the SMH, with possible work on ABC's Grandstand. Like Roebuck, Leonard is a tortured genius and masterly writer.
Stand by for further updates.
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Don - can you expand on what facts Matt has got badly wrong? I'd be curious to hear what role culture has played in this matter as well.
Various people here are saying that we should reserve our judgement until we hear more. I have no problem with that in general, but what we have here is a press that are doing the exact opposite. For the most part, everyone is writing hero-grams about what a stormin', although complicated, geezer Roebuck was and how much he will be missed. I don't live in Australia anymore, but from what I'm seeing on social media, anyone there who has ever read the back pages is currently saying "aw, that nice man with the plummy voice has died, isn't that a shame".
My question is this: what message are we putting out if he really is revealed to have been a monster? That it's ok to perform evil deeds so long as you can put a sentence or two in the right order? Why does reserving our judgment on the manner of his death somehow also oblige us to swallow the idea that he was a pillar of cricket and a great guy?
Posted by: Carrot | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:18 PM
TONY
Friends, Aussies, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Roebuck, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Roebuck. The noble Hannagan
Hath told you Roebuck was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Roebuck answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Cameron and the rest--
For Hannagan is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men--
Come I to speak in Roebuck's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Hannagan says he was ambitious;
And Hannagan is an honourable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill:
Did this in Roebuck seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Roebuck hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Cameron says he was ambitious;
And Cameron is an honourable man.
Shakespeare - Julius Caesar (amended)
Posted by: The Mongrel | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 09:52 PM
I am a sick man.... I am a spiteful man. I am an unattractive man. I
believe my liver is diseased. However, I know nothing at all about my
disease, and do not know for certain what ails me. I don't consult a
doctor for it, and never have, though I have a respect for medicine and
doctors. Besides, I am extremely superstitious, sufficiently so to
respect medicine, anyway (I am well-educated enough not to be
superstitious, but I am superstitious). No, I refuse to consult a
doctor from spite. That you probably will not understand. Well, I
understand it, though. Of course, I can't explain who it is precisely
that I am mortifying in this case by my spite: I am perfectly well
aware that I cannot "pay out" the doctors by not consulting them; I
know better than anyone that by all this I am only injuring myself and
no one else. But still, if I don't consult a doctor it is from spite.
My liver is bad, well--let it get worse!
Posted by: Patyodor Hannagevski | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:05 PM
firstly, allegations that roebuck was "a paedo" are unbelievably ignorant. that such comments are not moderated is beyond me. i would recommend any of roebuck's family to sue. show me the evidence - unless you can your allegations are a disgrace. caning a 19 year old does not equate to paedophilia.
secondly, so you all presume roebuck was perverted. well, maybe he was tortured. but what about the giving he sought to give, what about the guys supported by him who have nothing but praise and gratitude? how much are some of you giving in your lives? or are you just taking, and making snide remarks based on gossip and innuendo? some of this is utterly pathetic.
Posted by: antiblogger | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:00 PM
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/police-quizzed-cricket-writer-peter-roebuck-about-man-before-his-death/story-e6frf7lf-1226194976456
so, if you believe the herald son, the guy roebuck may or may not have made a pass at was 26!
roebuck might well have been tortured about his sexuality. perhaps that is not altogeher surprising in the sort of weird, twisted, prejudiced world SOME of you guys help create. as far as i know paedophilia does not apply to 26 year olds.
Posted by: antiblogger | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Antiblogger - he was convicted of assault of a three young men under his care. Yes, technically it's not paedophilia, but the judge made clear that he thought there was something untoward going on. These are not the actions of a man who is as pure as you seem to be implying.
You're probably right, there are some people here that are swinging around some fairly hefty allegations without much evidence - but hey, it's a blog. You're also asking us to assume that he was some sort of white knight without much evidence of your own. Even if you do find evidence, it would prove nothing anyway - if the record shows that some people thought he was fantastic, it would not dis-prove that he was less than fantastic to others. He was being quesioned about a sexual assault when he took his own life - as Via Collins says ealier on "it doesn't look good".
Posted by: Carrot | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:11 PM
"hey it's a blog" is no defence. are blogs able to destroy reputayions without proof? and they say the tabloids are bad.
i don't think he was a white knight at all. i think he was a tortured soul, and that obviously caused major issues, misjudgments and a court case in which he was found guilty 10 years ago, and suggestions of an incident with a 26-yr-old about which we know nothing
but i also think he tried to do a lot of good and there are many young guys - both in journalism and outside journalism - who testify to that.
Posted by: antiblogger | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:34 PM
Ok. That may (or may not) put some of this in some perspective.
Attempting to have sex with someone without their consent is still a pretty serious crime, isn't it? On balance I'd rather be accused of rape over paedophilia, but surely there's not THAT much in it, is there?
Bad people can do good things, and vice versa. It's called Life. What I don't like is the disingenuousness of some of the reporting that's going on. And like Pat, I really hate the way that people are mis-remembered on account of the fact that they happened to have shuffled off. You want to talk about a person, talk about them warts and all. It's certainly how I'd like to be remembered.
Any chance of an app, Tone? Writing comments on my I-phone is bloody difficult!
Posted by: Carrot | Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 12:00 AM
i would recommend any of roebuck's family to sue. On what basis would they sue?
the guy roebuck may or may not have made a pass at was 26! The allegation is sexual assault, not making a "pass".
Posted by: Pat Hannagan | Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Lets remember the context here.
The teacher-student (or coach-athlete) relationship is sacred. Teachers fucking or attempting to fuck students is totally, unequivocally, morally reprehensible. It is dishonorable because it detracts from the honour of holding a position of respect. Those who attempts such acts should be thrown out of the occupation or sport they are teaching. Cricket failed these young men and journalists and cricket fans are/were happy to overlook this because they liked the perpetrators writing style.
Posted by: Cameron | Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 12:37 AM
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/police-quizzed-cricket-writer-peter-roebuck-about-man-before-his-death/story-e6frfkyi-1226194976456#ixzz1dgu6w02C
It wasn't only that he tried to have sex with the guy against his will, but he also lured him to his hotel room under the pretence of getting him a university scholarship.
Posted by: Yobbo | Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 01:41 AM
Old Spanky will be getting his punishment from the devil as we speak...in the form of six whacks of a cane across his white buttocks. And I really think he will enjoy it. G'day folks.....
Posted by: Brett Pee | Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 05:29 AM