Brutally Honest Sam Newman - Last of a dying breed | Thebigtip

Love him or hate him, or love him AND hate him, you can't deny that John "Sammy" Newman is the last of a dying breed of AFL media types. Unlike his media savvy, 'opinion selective' counterparts his presence will be sorely missed if he ever quits his role on the much loved Footy Show. Whether it's just because we won't have someone to criticise or because we need a 62 year old to cheer on in the 'Legends' game, Sam Newman has been the devils advocate that supporters grow to love and the corporate bodies of the AFL and its club leaders grow to hate.

Don't get me wrong; I don't think there is a better commentating team than the team at Triple M including the likes of Brayshaw, Lyon and Brownless, but these media types are a dime a dozen and could be replaced overnight with commentators and TV personalities that would express the same 'political correctness' and AFL corporate protective comments that we are starting to see more and more. The likes of Luke Darcy, Matty Lloyd, Matthew Richardson and other retirees that have hit the media circuit, could easily slot into the footy show panel and after a few years no one would know any different.

What contributes to making clubs, companies and even governments successful is the ability to acknowledge and grow from constructive criticism. In recent years, we've seen a growing trend in the AFL toward the corporate bodies always being deemed correct by the official media, despite obvious errors in their execution of corporate management duties. With the growing coffers and influence of the AFL executive body, and with many media personnel being socially or financially linked to the AFL clubs and corporate bodies, we've been hard pressed to find someone who will openly criticise the corporate bodies and clubs for the way they operate; and keep their job.

Sure, Grant Thomas had a pretty good go, and still does in his columns, but it was well documented that he was fired for his comments on umpires. So despite all his good efforts for a good cause, he was made an example of with the loss of his job and although people still adhere to his same opinions, for the most part those opinions will be swept under the rug because he's been black dotted. For some reason, however, Sammy Newman is able to critique and openly criticise anyone in the AFL, and still keep his paycheck and some respect to go with it.

It must be noted that if a corporation, club or government goes unchecked (or uncriticised) they will eventually run themselves into the ground, so its absolutely essential for their success that there is always an opposition party, that constantly questions the performance and actions taken by the respective group and monitors the way it is being perceived by the most important part of the game; the people (supporters).

Recent actions from the AFL have made it clear they are not open to criticism in any form, regardless of how constructive it might be, with the imposition of fines and penalties for the expression of opinions that differ from that of the corporate body.

Sam Newman plays, almost single handedly, an essential media role in ensuring the voice of many supporters is heard in the media and on the television. As an example of the important role he plays, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH IT OR NOT, was most clearly noted on the Thursday night Footy Show where Jason Akermanis was interviewed live on television. Whether he was doing so because he felt guilty for contributing to Aker's situation or not, Sam Newman openly expressed an opinion on national television, that despite being shared by many supporters, has remained relatively unsung in the official AFL media. You simply have to visit the AFL website to see what the AFL's stance is on the situation, sticking up for the club and not the player. Without the input from Newman, Aker would have essentially been 'ganged up on' by a panel that is financially dependent on the success of the AFL corporate bodies (Brayshaw), paid as a result of AFL royalties (Lyon, through his commentating and media role), and currently in contract with, a captain of and paid by an AFL club (Brown). Bill Brownless was essentially silent during the interview so he doesn't come into the equation. Anyone who has been in a courtroom would understand the importance of a witness, and by the same standards Akermanis would have been found guilty as a result of the interrogation from Lyon and Brayshaw. Enter the support and testimony of Newman and suddenly we have a fair trial. Whoever's side you're on, be it Aker's or the Dogs, you can't deny that Newman was the only person supporting the claims and position Akermanis took.

The AFL will always have to stick up for the club, and i wouldn't expect them to operate any other way, because the league can't survive without unity on a corporate and club level. But as aforementioned, it is imperative to corporations that there is an opposition, someone who supports the player and the supporters and not the club, in order for a balance to be achieved and in order for the corporation to evolve and improve on its practises and procedures.

If things continue in the direction they are heading, and there is no media opposition to the AFL's actions, as the AFL seems to want it to be, then the AFL will drive itself into the ground with inconsistent umpiring, poor management, bad club disciplinary practises, inefficient rules and will lose out to a sport that has far more financial backing and a stronger management support structure; soccer.

Many thanks to Sam Newman for single handedly playing the essential role of "opposition leader" in a corporation that is fast becoming a dictatorship. Despite his outspokenness one can't argue that he is certainly the last of his kind in a sport that has moved on to the era of political correctness.