News

Jenkins, Hocking fined

Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon Football Club today fined players Heath Hocking and Josh Jenkins for breaching code of conduct regulations in relation to the on-selling of 2011 AFL Grand Final tickets.

Essendon rookie Jenkins offered to on-sell the 2011 AFL Grand Final tickets allocated by the AFL to Heath Hocking via Twitter last week. The tickets were not sold.

Consequently, the AFL launched an investigation in which both players cooperated fully. The investigation found that Josh Jenkins quickly realised what he was doing was wrong and did not take any serious steps towards selling the tickets - which were not in fact his to sell.

The club has fined Jenkins 5% of his annual rookie wage ($1750), while Heath was fined $3000 for his involvement.

Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said both players had apologised to both the AFL and the Club and were remorseful for their actions.

“The resale of Grand Final tickets for profit is illegal and both players understand the seriousness of this issue,” Hamilton said.

“Although Heath never had any intention of selling the tickets, he was aware that Josh was trying to gauge their value via Twitter and should have put a stop to it.

“As Heath had full awareness it was happening, he takes responsibility for his involvement as well.”

The club will make no further comment on the matter.

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shame, good lesson though. Cmon boys your better than that... Stiff to get a fine over honestly, i was following it on twitter nothign worthy of a fine imo

- Donovan de Cerff (posted 5/10/2011 5:54:47 PM)

Whats wrong with these blokes they know the rules and yet continue to disregard them. Not a good look for the club. Sick of hearing of these breaches.

- Peter Pischek (posted 5/10/2011 6:26:17 PM)

Would be more worried if they were dressing up as a certain schoolgirl.lol.

- Mark Elze (posted 5/10/2011 6:47:36 PM)

Just a silly mistake, boys will be boys. Learn from it and move on.

- Peter Gassner (posted 5/10/2011 7:14:50 PM)

"When jarred by circumstances, revert at once to the harmony within and don't lose the rhythm more than you can help. Honor what is great in yourself- the part that shares its nature with that power. The impediment to action then advances action and what stands in the way becomes the way." M.A.

- Thomas Faunce (posted 5/10/2011 7:41:23 PM)

Hope this little misdemeanor keeps the 5 clubs chasing Joshy out of the equation. Not really that much of an issue.

- Shane Warke (posted 5/10/2011 7:58:18 PM)

it all started when young hurley got a wrist slap. ZERO tolerance pls.

- Margaret Dickson (posted 5/10/2011 8:12:30 PM)

EI, whats the go with Jenkins. In the news he is chased after. Will we be keeping him and if n ot what compensation is suitable.Like what ive seen so far, should look at getting rid of hille rather than a young ruckman. I understand you wont talk about that last part but perhaps you could let us know whay Jenkins would be worth in the market

- Daniel Bradford (posted 5/10/2011 8:33:52 PM)

Nothing on the news about it why fined the players do you no that people sell football tickets on ebay so they can.t say any thing about

- MARK JONES (posted 5/10/2011 10:02:52 PM)

After that fine none of the boys will be that stupid in the future. Does Twitter get its name from the word "Twits"?..I wonder.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 5/10/2011 10:21:50 PM)

Daniel, I agree that he should be in front of David Hille if we are looking to our future success. Our scouts have found him, now don't lose him. (Hille has a year left in him).

- Brad Scarr (posted 5/10/2011 10:21:59 PM)

Summed it up perfectly MD,ZT with Dr Jekyll too.. close friend no doubt.. Meanwhile the Club has decided with the best solution with Heath & Josh... Surely THAT makes you happy,seeing as Josh is one of your favourite players,who you often called for his inclusion (first step to be elevated) for senior duties...

- Noel Shields (posted 5/10/2011 10:44:14 PM)

Heath is one of my favourite players but it seems he regularly displays poor judgement and gets into strife. I'd like to see him replaced in the leadership group, at least until he strings together a couple of error-free seasons.

- Rob Carew (posted 5/10/2011 11:34:46 PM)

do all the fines go towards the flight plan... the amount of fines our boys have copped... and will continue to cop should almost cover the 5 mil... esp if we get lovett back

- Ian Welsh (posted 5/10/2011 11:34:57 PM)

Heath, really disappointed to hear about this, after your suspension cost us at least 2 wins IMHO. Come on mate, you are better than that. If you really do want to be a leader, lead by example the right way, not this sort of nonsense.

- Graeme Blore (posted 6/10/2011 1:38:15 AM)

Agree with Daniel Radford.

- Joan Hill (posted 6/10/2011 9:54:22 AM)

Its a big wack for something that didnt even happen, but, you play you pay!!

- Chris Litchfield (posted 6/10/2011 9:56:19 AM)

I'm not sure why we need to hear of every naughtiness, however I applaud the transparency. Josh and Buddha, the naughty bench for you. :) Angie

- Angeline Baron (posted 6/10/2011 10:27:57 AM)

I don't see this as a big problem (only my opinion), after all, the tickets were worth 10% of his yearly wage. That is a lot for a young bloke. I am more concerned with players using twitter, and would prefer all players not to.

- Kevin Jackson (posted 6/10/2011 10:44:39 AM)

If Josh Jenkins goes, like i said, we will all regret it. Josh is a professional, former basketballer, loves his Footy and his team mates. It is evident, just follw him on Twitter nad you'll see for yourself.

- al Catraz (posted 6/10/2011 12:42:15 PM)

Dear me, Margaret. Should we bring back the tumbril, or would you be happy with just erecting stocks at Windy Hill ?

- alec shiffman (posted 6/10/2011 3:58:10 PM)

This is nothing more than a complete farce and a waste of space! How this is news worthy is beyond me. If I was Jenkins or Hocking, I would just about walk away from the game in protest, The Hibbard case a few months ago was bad enough but this is just laughable. The AFL is becoming a nanny state in itself. If Essendon has enforced this fine then they should be ashamed of themselves.

- O'Farrell Paul (posted 6/10/2011 4:51:31 PM)

The only reason rules are made is to give people something to break..!!! if they can play, who cares.!!

- Mark McLachlan (posted 6/10/2011 6:22:14 PM)

its like monoply 5% or 3000$ lol

- Liam Crimmins (posted 6/10/2011 6:40:50 PM)

@Daniel Bradford Josh will be worth a bit i think. He seems to be rallying behind all the men behind the scenes, (a future leader) i think he has good football ability but just needs to bulk up and be able to kick a little better and hes in the AFL side i think

- Donovan de Cerff (posted 6/10/2011 7:12:43 PM)

How is this even news!

- Jordan Ancrum (posted 6/10/2011 7:51:44 PM)

I am very unhappy to see players doing the wrong thing. I applaud the high standards we talk about and hopefully observe at EFC. If players - and Assistant Coaches - want to break the rules, we can do without them. Come on Essendon. Insist on high standards.

- Alfred Brogan (posted 6/10/2011 9:51:10 PM)

Rookies are signed initially for 2 years, Josh still has another year to go before other clubs can try to get him (I think), so next year, under the revised rookie rules, 1 rookie can be elevated to the senior list late in the season without having to have a player put on the LTI list, I hope that's correct, still checking...

- Mark McLachlan (posted 7/10/2011 7:54:40 AM)

I think Josh can be elevated to the primary list before the final list lodgement of, I think 35 players.

- Mark McLachlan (posted 8/10/2011 8:58:57 AM)