St Albans coach considers legal action over BigFooty blog comments
Nick Wade
March 9th, 2010
Peter Davenport trains yesterday. Photo: TONY KERRIGAN
Davenport has hired Melbourne lawyer Bernie Balmer in a groundbreaking development for local footy that could pave the way for more lawsuits against online footy blogs.
The new coach has been the subject of a series of personal attacks and accusations from anonymous bloggers since joining the Supersaints last year.
Mr Balmer, of Melbourne law firm Balmer & Associates, said the accusations on the website were incorrect and damaging.
BigFooty bloggers have questioned Davenport's character and spread rumours about the reasons for him moving between GFL clubs.
Mr Balmer yesterday confirmed Davenport had sought legal advice.
"But it's suffice to say it's incorrect, it's damaging, it's damaging to reputation and we'll find out the source of all this and pursue our remedies," Mr Balmer said.
Davenport has been advised by his lawyer not to speak publicly.
Mr Balmer said he would explore all avenues to take action against both the individual bloggers involved and the website.
"There's forensic specialists who can track these people down, it's what we'll be proposing to do," he said.
People are able to post under the identity of a nickname or username, therefore effectively hiding their identity.
A BigFooty moderator removed some of the contentious comments yesterday afternoon. In an email late last night, BigFooty directed all questions to the owners of the site, Big Internet Group.
Big Internet Group is a media company based in New York City that runs several popular internet forums, including BigSoccer and BigCricket.
BigFooty has more than 80,000 registered users worldwide, according to its membership register.
Davenport, the brother of Port Adelaide footballer and former Cat Jason Davenport, arrived in Geelong in 2007 and completed a pre-season with the Cats' VFL team.
He was initially signed by Grovedale and spent two seasons at the Tigers, where he immediately shot to prominence to lead the Mathieson Medal, the league's best and fairest count, into the second half of the 2007 season.
At the end of 2008, he transferred to Bell Park before taking up the coaching role with St Albans this season.
Cyber defamers are starting to learn they cannot hide behind a keyboard or computer monitor when targeting people online.
Legal counsel Martin Bennett won a case for a Perth client who had his reputation attacked online by a Colac man late last year.
His client won $30,000 in damages and costs, as well as an apology and a guarantee no more defaming comments would be posted.
It's about time these internet fools are dealt with, Little people with no life who think that can say as they wish!!Big footy must be held accountable for much of the filth that gets posted. Letsa hope we see more of this, Best wishes to Peter Davenport.
