I think that some consideration needs to be given to the role that AFL accreditation has in the entire money making scheme that used to be a sport.
If you get AFL accreditation, you get access to players, clubs, AFL House etc If you lose AFL accreditation then you'll probably get a small dribble from Centrelink once a fortnight.
So, you toe the party line and jump when the AFL says jump. Witness the comments made during games by commentators that disappear into the ether shortly afterwards. It's wishful thinking that the AFL will take action against 'reporters' (not journos) because the controversies often raised are worth column inches (2.54 cms), broadcast time and one heck of a lot of free publicity.
The players are not the main feature of the AFL, just the visible attraction. The fans, members are only important as far as how much money can be taken from them. The important people are the ones gathering, controlling and dispersing the large sums of money that is the single most important goal of the AFL. Cretins like Cornes will all have safe jobs for years because they rock the players / clubs boats but not the AFL's.
