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Lions get taste of The Fevola Effect

By Mr Dandalooa

Brisbane are facing The Fevola Effect after the AFL confirmed this week it is investigating the alleged distribution of a 2006 partially-naked photo of model Lara Bingle by Lions forward Brendan Fevola.

The Fevola Effect refers to the fallout and snowballed consequences players and clubs experience after the indiscretions of a player.

Reports confirm that Bingle is looking at taking legal action against Big Bad Fev after the photo was published in a magazine this week and circulated amongst footy and cricket players.

The photo of Bingle in the shower, allegedly taken in 2006 while the pair were involved in a secret affair, was published in Woman’s Day on Monday and posted over the internet.

It shows Bingle taking a shower, trying to cover herself with her right hand with a distorted expression on her face.

Bingle’s manager Max Markson told eastern states newspapers that Bingle has met with lawyers and has decided to sue Fevola.

“Lara Bingle is taking legal action against Brendan Fevola for breach of privacy, defamation and misuse of her image,” Markson told the Herald Sun the newspaper.

FootyGoss understands that AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson will speak to the controversial Brisbane recruit about the photo today and possible reprimand.

Fevola, who has denied that he circulated the picture to other AFL players, has been supported by the Lions through yet another Fev scandal and the ensuing Fevola Effect.

Lions senior coach Michael Voss has reportedly accepted Fevola’s explanation that he had not sent the picture to anyone since he signed with Brisbane late last year.

The picture was allegedly taken during Fev’s affair with Bingle four years ago.

The model decided to sue the bad boy AFL player after the picture of her in the shower appeared in Woman’s Day earlier this week.

It is the first indiscretion the Lions have endured and the club’s first experience of The Fevola Effect for the off-field setback for the ex-Carlton star since he arrived in Brisbane.

The Fevola Effect first occurred in last year’s Brownlow Medal when Fev’s drunken and lewd antic caused controversy and cost him his spot at Carlton.

Voss reckons he’s been encouraged by Fev’s transition into the Brisbane Lions fold and was satisfied the full-forward had not circulated the embarrassing photo recently.

AAP reports that Voss is supportive of Fev.

“What we have seen from Brendan over the period of time he has been at this football club is he has been a great advertisement for our club,” Voss was quoted as saying today.

“The way he interacts with kids, what he does for our club with the way he trains and the standards he sets himself - he really wants to get on with things.

“I recognise some things happened some time ago but he has expressed his desire to put his best foot forward here and that is what he is doing.

“There is nothing to suggest he is not doing the right things and representing our club in the right fashion.

“I am not going to get distracted by it and the team is not going to get distracted by it. We have a job to get done and that is what we are going to do.”

Voss said Fevola must put the controversy behind him to focus on the start of the AFL season on March 27 against the West Coast Eagles.

Bingle is currently engaged to Australian cricket vice-captain Michael Clarke.