Costello vs the AFL

Sometimes the wretched cynicism of politicians surprises even me - and I treat the species like they were a particularly poisonous variety of redback spider.

Today the former treasurer and failed wannabe prime-minister, Peter Costello, from the conservative Coalition defeated in 2007 declared:

''Footballers are not chosen for their moral principles. They do not go into a national draft for budding philanthropists. They can run and catch and kick a ball. What are the clubs thinking when they send them to schools to give guidance on life skills? Any right-thinking parent would quake with fear to hear that footballers were coming to their daughter's school to give a little bit of inspiration."

This is the wake of an incident where young players then had a dalliance with a 17 year old girl.

He overlooks of course all the cancer wards they visit, all the times they turn up at junior league training sessions to give kids a chance to meet their heroes, all the charity work they do.

And this guy actually professes to LIKE football.

Now... In response to Costello's massive and grossly unfair slur, and with vastly greater class, someone said this:

"...given Mr Costello's background, I thought he would be a bit more diplomatic with his opinions. It is disappointing to see someone with a great deal of influence make generalisations on all AFL players....(they) aren’t immune to the challenges that society has and (are) just a reflection of society.... But I can confidently say that the vast majority of AFL players are responsible and fantastic role models to society and do amazing work. The amount of people that AFL players are able to reach is amazing,"

Now who said that...?

Someone with Costello's vaunted "moral principles"? A "budding philanthropist"?

Actually an AFL footballer.

One who is incredibly popular among children.