CAGE THIS BEAST: Brendan Fevola's sexual assault exposed

The traffic to VEXNEWS has been so overwhelming the server collapsed. While we take care of that, we'll put the story up here.

VEXNEWS exclusively revealed yesterday that Brendan Fevola had made an unwelcome advance toward a Herald Sun journalist at the end of a 13 hour bender at the Brownlow Medal ceremony.

It has now emerged that Fevola's misconduct that night was much more untoward and despicable than was disclosed in that story. There were many separate incidents but nothing more serious than what we can now reveal.

FEVOLA'S SHAME
Well-placed football sources have told VEXNEWS that Fevola followed a woman into the female toilets at Crown Casino, leapt upon her, forced her to the floor, simulated sex acts upon her and had to be dragged off his prey by a number of people. While not rape, it was certainly a form of sexual assault, according to legal experts. Astonishingly enough, one source has told VEXNEWS that Fevola was allowed to continue his partying after the sex attack.

No complaint has been made to the Victoria Police, at this stage, although they have been made aware of the incident.

VICTIM'S IMPACT BUT NO STATEMENT
We have decided not to name the victim of the attack, for privacy reasons. However, sources familiar with her situation tell VEXNEWS that she has been greatly troubled by the attack, has taken time off work since the incident to recover and has been encouraged to seek counselling. Her family and work colleagues are believed to be furious about the incident and have been encouraging her to report the predator to authorities so he does not repeat the incident on other women.

The woman - who attended the Brownlow Medal event - is thought to be unlikely to want to make a complaint because it might adversely effect her career or her reputation in the football world. That's a remarkable reflection on modern football, if true.

PUNT THIS BEAST THEN CAGE HIM
The bottom line is that Fevola is paid lavishly to be a role model and yet has acted like a sexual predator, traumatising a young woman and bringing disgrace upon the game.

If he isn't charged, it is certainly worth seriously considering the Herald Sun's spot-on editorial today that Fevola be forcibly retired. His conduct is now well beyond a joke and should be treated with the appropriate gravity by a game that is ultimately utterly dependent on the goodwill of fans.

One of the great aspects of AFL is how strongly women support it, in order to maintain that, the AFL must return the favour. They can't control Carlton's decisions and requiring them to dump a player of Fev's quality seems very harsh. But his behaviour has crossed the line. It is time for action.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN UNFAIRLY TARNISHING CARLTON'S NAME
Carlton sources - yesterday keen to downplay Fevola's crazed and disturbing conduct - are aware of the incident and are believed to be devastated by the damage he could be doing to the reputation of the club.

The club is still recovering from suggestions from its former president John Elliott that Carlton paid "hush money" to women who'd been raped by Carlton players in return for them not making complaints to authorities.

Some have suggested that VEXNEWS' revelations yesterday - still not reported elsewhere - have had an adverse effect on Fevola's trade to the Brisbane Lions. It's believed a trade will still proceed, with the Lions or possibly Sydney presumably hoping they'll not have one of the best players on their list locked up for a stupid incident that crossed the line from drunken stupidity to a despicable, predatory and gravely serious crime.