Zac Webster, a recent recruit to 2014 premiership winners Hawthorn, has been banned by the club for two preseason games after being convicted of secretly filming women engaging in sex acts.
It is understood that the Tasmanian player, now 19, had his phone confiscated by police last year, and did not inform the team of this when he was drafted as a rookie.
Per a report in News Limited, the young player was later “forced to explain himself” in front of teammates when he discovered that he was under police investigation.
ABC News report that, in late October, Webster was ordered to pay a fine and perform 140 hours of community service.
Hawthorn’s code of conduct calls for dismissal of players who are convicted of sexual offenses, although Webster was not convicted of one, so his punishment is significantly lighter.
He has attended presentations on respect and responsibility, and will miss two pre-season practice matches in the 2015 NAB Challenge, amounting to not much more than a slap on the wrist.
A representative of Hawthorn has said that the club “does not condone” his behaviour so, y’know … good for them?
Macquarie Uni professor and gender studies expert Catharine Lumby, a frequent commentator on sexual misconduct in Aussie sport, is understandably not impressed.
“This is becoming a growing issue and I think that Australian sport and other organisations need to lead the way and say zero tolerance for this behaviour – it’s not OK,” she told Fairfax.
Photo: Michael Dodge via Getty Images
