Over the past 18 months St Kilda has found itself at the centre of more than its share of trouble. A rape charge, a pregnant teenager, nude photos and now misusing prescription drugs.
The four players involved in the club’s latest drama were punished for numerous disciplinary breaches but the one that stands out more than any others on the rap sheet is the abuse of prescription drugs.
What benefits were to be had from combining alcohol and sleeping tablets is anyone’s guess, but that is beside the point.
Drinking alcohol and leaving the team hotel on a team camp might seem relatively harmless indiscretions, but those misdemeanors would be frowned upon internally almost as much as the prescription-drug misuse.
At a time when the club is trying its hardest to keep out of the spotlight following the Facebook photo scandal, it is staggering that four of its players would put themselves in this position.
Zac Dawson is the only 'name' player out of the four and, in at least the early stages, seems to be the face of the scandal.
Four years older than Jack Steven, Rhys Stanley and Paul Cahill, Dawson should have had the common sense and maturity to steer the group out of the circumstances they were in.
Dawson has spent seven years at two different clubs and should have been aware of the potential consequences of his actions.
His club-imposed suspension will hurt the Saints on-field more than the other three, as he is a key defender firmly entrenched in the senior side.
But that is not to say that Steven, Cahill and Stanley should be excused.
For a side that is seen to be lacking young players, Stanley and Steven are seen internally as two of the club’s brightest young prospects after impressing in a handful of games last season.
Cahill is further behind than his contemporaries and after two years of underwhelming performances for VFL side Sandringham he needs to make an impact this year to justify his spot on the list.
Missing the first six weeks of the season will not help his hopes one bit.
It hasn't been an ideal pre-season for St Kilda, in fact it has been a nightmare that has only been comparable to the dramas up north at the Brisbane Lions.
But if this group has proven anything in the past, it is that it can put off-field dramas aside to perform when game time comes around.
It would suit the story-tellers to see the Saints drop the first few games and for morale to plummet. However, the reality is that the club has made it to the grand final in each of the past two seasons despite all the headlines along the way.
But for the unpredictable bounce of two oval shaped balls, the Saints could be coming into 2011 on the back of two flags.
This latest 'scandal' will not see them slip down the ladder. They might have form slumps throughout the year, but that will only be because of injury and form - not a pre-season brain-fade by four silly players.
Yes, the dramas must be draining for all concerned and you have to wonder how much the club can bear.
But this is a group that has resilience and a strong work ethic throughout its playing list and coaching staff. They pride themselves on operating inside their 'bubble' where external criticism and pressures cannot penetrate.
The bubble works as both a fortress and a sanctuary, and it has instilled a determined group mindset that will not be compromised - on the field, at least.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
