THE mother of Manunda Hawk Samuel Boxsell wants to see her son and his team playing football again and has urged the club to fight their suspension from next season’s AFL Cairns competition.
Molly Boxsell joined other members of Manunda at a question-and-answer session at the club’s bar at Cazalys last night.
Defending the club’s decision not to play games in Port Douglas on August 2, she said she was grateful Manunda gave her son the chance to play football again.
“I’m standing behind Dicky (club president Richard Martin) because he believed in Sam and gave him the chance to play footy,” Miss Boxsell said.
“He’s made some bad decisions, but it’s unfair that he is in the middle of this and for the League to punish the club just because they were scared for each other’s safety seems very childish.”
Last Friday Manunda were booted out of the 2015 seniors and reserves competitions when they opted not to play in Port Douglas, citing concerns for their safety after threats were allegedly directed at Boxsell on social media.
“Before it all blew up he knew what it was going to be like up there and told me not to come,” Miss Boxsell said.
The 25-year-old once played at Port Douglas, but was banned at the beginning of this year for five years after an altercation with teammates.
The Cairns Post understands that the threats came from members of the public unrelated to the Port Douglas Football club “looking to square up” on his return to the tourist town.
On notification of this, Boxsell was ordered by the Hawks not to play in the game, while measures including security and extra police at the ground were suggested by AFL Cairns to nullify any potential danger.
Still unsatisfied that the playing environment would be safe, the Manunda playing group voted not to travel for the games.
A month-long investigation by the AFL Cairns board concluded that the Hawks were bringing the code into disrepute and last Friday reached the landmark decision. Since then AFL Cairns presidents have arranged a meeting with the AFL Cairns board, to take place this morning, requesting more information.
There is no avenue of appeal for the Hawks within AFL Cairns procedures, but the club has hinted they are prepared to take legal action if necessary.
“This whole thing has affected not just Sam, but his brothers and sisters,” mother-of-eight Molly said. “I just want to see them back playing and I hope we can throw our weight behind the cause and change their decision.”
Last Modified on 17/09/2014 21:20