The ex-AFL coach helping dads tackle the Andrew Tate factor

This story is part of the June 21 edition of Good Weekend. See all 15 stories.
Rodney Eade spent more than half his lifetime within the hypermasculine world of Australian rules football, first as a player with AFL clubs Hawthorn and Brisbane, then as coach of, respectively, the Sydney Swans, the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns. 'One thing I learnt,' says Eade, 67, who retired his clipboard in 2017, 'is that boys and young men need direction and mentoring. And when they become partners and fathers, they continue to benefit from support.'
Such lessons continue to resonate in Eade's current role as partnerships manager for The Fathering Project, a secular, not-for-profit organisation that he says is in increasing demand for the father-focused support groups and programs it runs through schools, corporations and sporting clubs.
'Most fathers are looking for a better connection with their kids and to be a better role model, but often they don't know how,' he says, stressing the considerable benefits of addressing this.
'Evidence shows that the developmental outcomes of children [improve] exponentially when they have an engaged father, or father figure, in their life,' he adds, referencing research linking attentive fathering to a reduction in children's behavioural problems, emotional problems and delinquency.
Founded in 2013 in Western Australia by respiratory physician Professor Bruce Robinson, The Fathering Project facilitates almost 500 dads' groups around the country. Demand has never been greater, says its CEO, Káti Gapaillard, something she puts down to fathers feeling caught between expectations of providing for their families during a cost-of-living crisis and what can feel like a conflicting desire to be a more present parent. 'So they come to us looking for tools to help them connect with their kids and to other fathers – without judgment,' she says.
While The Fathering Project's focus is on fathers and children of both sexes, it has highlighted many boys' struggles with emotional regulation, aggression and gendered stereotyping, issues highlighted to devastating effect in Netflix shows, such as the universally acclaimed British drama Adolescence and the Danish thriller Secrets We Keep.
'Boys, especially, are looking for a way to see who they are and express their masculinity,' says Gapaillard, 'and if we don't provide that identity-development support, then they find it somewhere else, either through a peer group or online, via potentially harmful male role models.'
Professor Michael Flood, a Fathering Project associate and researcher on masculinities and gender at the Queensland University of Technology, says influencers such as Briton Andrew Tate use discussions about finance, fitness and self-improvement as 'Trojan horses through which sexism and misogyny are smuggled in'. Fathers, he says, can help inoculate their sons against such things: 'Just as violence can be passed down through generations, so can nurturing.'

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28 minutes ago

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Blue season takes another bad turn as Roos rise at MCG

The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. 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Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn. The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. The unexpected result will turn up the heat on coach Voss, who has been under pressure since Carlton's calamitous round-one loss against wooden spooners Richmond. North had matchwinners across the ground, led by Tom Powell, Luke Parker and Luke Davies-Uniacke out of the middle. Dashing left-footer Colby McKercher produced arguably the best game of his young career with two goals and 29 possessions. The only positive for Carlton was that star defender Jacob Weitering avoided being added to a lengthy injury list. Weitering appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury when he landed awkwardly after jumping over Zurhaar in the first quarter. The reigning All-Australian fullback was assisted from the field in agony, but returned 15 minutes later for the start of the second term. Carlton are already without star forward Harry McKay and important midfielder Sam Walsh for at least another month. Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn. The Michael Voss era is in major trouble after Carlton conceded eight straight goals against North Melbourne to be stunned by 11 points in an MCG boilover. Just 64 days after smashing North by 82 points on Good Friday, the Blues went goal-less from midway through the first quarter until 10 minutes into the third term. During that period, the Kangaroos produced some of their best football in Alastair Clarkson's three-year tenure to set up the 13.6 (84) to 10.13 (73) victory in front of 56,236 fans. Voss gave a stern three-quarter-time address to his under-performing midfield group when they trailed by 46 points. The spray from the coach worked as the Blues kicked 5.5 to 0.0 in the final quarter, but it was too late for Carlton. Despite having only beaten lowly Richmond, West Coast and Melbourne this season, North have been threatening to claim a bigger scalp for weeks. Trailing by nine points at quarter-time, the Kangaroos surged in the second term with 6.2 to 0.1, prompting sections of the pro-Carlton crowd to boo their team off at halftime. The wheels completely came off when Carlton gave away a free kick straight after Cam Zurhaar's third goal, allowing ruckman Tristan Xerri to put the Kangaroos 40 points up early in the third quarter. The Blues showed more spirit for the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. Finalists in the past two seasons, Carlton slumped to 6-8 and will sit two games outside of the top eight by the end of the round. The Blues comfortably won the inside-50 count, but their ball use let them down all day. 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Fellow key forward Charlie Curnow was in doubt for the game with calf tightness, but managed to ride his push bike to the MCG to prove his fitness. However, the dual Coleman Medallist had a dirty day, failing to kick a goal. Lockdown defender Nic Newman and highly rated teenager Jagga Smith have already been ruled out for the season. Carlton's season will be virtually dead and buried if they can't beat Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. North head to Launceston next Saturday to clash with Hawthorn.

News.com.au

an hour ago

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Blues fans turn on ‘bullied' Carlton after heavy loss to North Melbourne

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Courier-Mail

an hour ago

• Courier-Mail

‘Kidding ourselves': Debate erupts over AFL's plan to revive State of Origin

Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The AFL is in talks to revive State of Origin, but there are fears the proposed showdown would only be an 'exhibition game'. As the NRL's State of Origin heads to a decider following Queensland's Game 2 win in Perth, it appears increasingly likely the AFL will bring back a State of Origin game as soon as next year. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said earlier this year: 'I can't rule it in and I can't rule it out, but it will certainly be a conversation I'd like to have with the players and the clubs, 'There seems to be a bit of a groundswell for it.' It has now emerged that the WA government is in talks with the AFL to hold a State of Origin game in Perth during pre-season in the first week of February in 2026. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY WA deputy premier and sports minister Rita Saffioti said talks were in the early stages but the AFL is 'very keen' on the idea. 'It's not a done deal,' Saffioti said on Friday. 'But I know the AFL was very keen, and we're very keen. 'Everyone is very excited about having a WA State of Origin game in the AFL, there's some good discussions happening at the moment.' The game between the Fremantle Dockers and the Indigenous All Stars in February this year was considered a major success, and the AFL is considering holding a State of Origin match in a similar as soon as next season. But not everyone is a fan of the idea. Brian Taylor pointed out the hot conditions in Perth in February and noted team selection would be based on reputation instead of form if the match is held in pre-season. Taylor, who played for Victoria in a 1986 State of Origin game, said on Triple M: 'What are we trying to do here with State of Origin football, playing it in February? Do you know how hot it is in Perth in Feb? Dustin Martin (centre) was one of the big names to play for Victoria in the 2020 game against the All Stars. 'How many players are in form on the 6th of February? How are you picking the team? On the year before? 'It's about current form, it's about players playing well, like the All Australian — to achieve the status of getting selected in the side. 'I think this game is not going to work if it's in Feb. 'We currently have three byes currently in our season. Let's put one of those byes aside for a State of Origin weekend when the players have reached top form, halfway though or two thirds of the way through (a season).' NRL players earn $30,000 for each State of Origin earn match, and Taylor said a financial incentive may be required to get AFL players invested in the concept as a genuine competitive game. 'Let's give the players all of the gate, so a player could get $10,000 to $20,000 each per game,' Taylor said. 'Then they'll absolutely want to play.' He added: 'It has to be played mid-season, it has to be picked on form. Players are barely started their pre-season in the first week of Feb. 'Are we kidding ourselves? Are we trying to make this work?' Victoria's Stephen Silvagni (right) celebrates winning the State of Origin match in 1996. Brian Taylor wants State of Origin played mid-season. Picture: Channel 7/Supplied Leigh Montagna said the likelihood is any State of Origin clash would be an 'exhibition game' in the mould of the Victoria vs All Stars game in 2020, held to raise funds for bushfire relief. 'It's different, it's an exhibition game,' Montagna said on Triple M. 'You're probably still thinking of State of Origin in the 80s and 90s when it was South Australia vs Victoria and they were playing for keeps. Now it's more of an exhibition game. 'I'd love to see (Christian) Petracca in the same forward line as Toby Greene and Paddy Dangerfield and the Victorians play together. And I'm sure the other states would like to see their players play in their state jersey. 'It's just no longer going to be what it was like in the old days. It's an exhibition. You pick them (the teams) on reputation.' Taylor replied: 'Why do we need an exhibition game of our own game in our own country? People see 20 games a year. 'It can't be (held) before they've even completed their pre-season. What a load of nonsense.' The Indigenous All Stars game against Fremantle was a big success. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) The Victorian team after winning the State of Origin for Bushfire Relief game in 2020. Photo: Michael Klein The last State of Origin match was between Victoria and South Australia in 1999, and it remains to be seen what state or amalgamation of states would take on Victoria if the concept is revived. 'We think this would be an incredible drawcard for the state,' WA deputy premier Rita Saffioti added. 'I know many of the players are actually excited, particularly those based over east, are very keen to play for their state, so I think there's a huge push from the players. 'Pre-season is a good time to do it, as opposed to in-season ... the clubs are already playing pre-season games,' Saffioti said. 'And we saw the Indigenous All Stars, we had some incredible players out there ... it makes a bit of sense to do it during February.' Originally published as 'Kidding ourselves': Debate erupts over AFL's plan to revive State of Origin