- AFL star Sam Fisher jailed for drug trafficking plot
- Brendan Fevola said he could have been in the same position
- Major uprising ends football stars’ post-retirement struggles
Carlton legend Brendan Fevola has spoken out about the five-year prison sentence handed down to football star Sam Fisher for drug dealing, admitting the same thing could have happened to him when he retired.
Fisher, 41, a former St Kilda player, was sentenced last week to five years and four months in jail on charges of drug trafficking and possession.
A downward spiral into addiction led him to the interstate trafficking scheme after his playing career ended.
“Or you can leave, it’s sad, his life has turned upside down and he took the wrong path,” Fevola said in Fifi, Fev and Nick from The Fox for breakfast show on Monday.
‘But I kind of see this as: Jesus, this could have happened to me. Take the wrong way. When you’re a footballer, this doesn’t last forever.
Sam Fisher (pictured centre, outside court) was sentenced to five years and four months in prison for drug trafficking and possession last week.
Brendan Fevola has revealed why some AFL stars find themselves in horrible situations as they struggle to cope with life after football.
‘I was very lucky to be able to go on a show, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and I won it. And then I’m very lucky to have this (radio show) on The Fox.
‘But if I didn’t have that, I don’t know where I would be because I didn’t prepare.
‘I lost my money; He didn’t have a title. I didn’t care about school, I never studied, I would literally be packed.
‘I wouldn’t know what to do with my life, and I think that’s where Sam was at. “And I think a lot of AFL players are in that situation.”
The football great also highlighted the dangers of players gambling at Crown Casino in their free time, which he sees as a big problem.
Fevola declared bankruptcy in 2013 and was in rehab after a rapid downward spiral towards the end of his football career.
“What I do know is that the AFL now forces players to do things outside of football to keep them busy. But I remember back then, (Fifi) Boxy, we would have a day off and we would go to the Crown (Casino) and play the poker.
‘There would literally be six different (AFL) teams playing poker at the Crown because we always had the same day off. The whole Crown poker room was full of AFL football players, who were just playing poker because we had a lot of money and we were just playing.
‘And then you go home, play football and train… and that’s all I knew. That’s what most guys knew.
The great Carlton had its own gambling problems and declared bankruptcy in 2013.
‘The AFL is big business. I think drugs and gambling are probably the biggest problem.
‘Sam Fisher did it himself. He has done it. He knew he had done it, he recognized it. He’s going to serve his sentence.
“But just for the young kids who are now growing up and going through the system in whatever sport or local football club, make sure you prepare.”
