Yes,

So they're role models,for what? running around in circles for an hour or so once a week. Essentially they're entertainers like movie stars or rock musicians, who are also grossly overpaid. If Sen. Brandis is correct and they are role models for our citizens, this nation really has problems.

Questions.
1. Who are the role models for children these days? And who sets these models?

2. Many many years ago I remember boys who took sports stars for their role models. When and why did this change?

3. In view of the urgent need to reduce risks of senile dementia in our growing population of aged, should sports stars and writers take more account of the visible evidence that recreational drugs, including alcohol, can affect the brains of vulnerable people? Cannabis is regarded as harmless because 'it only affects the higher nervous centres of the brain', which may be precious to try to preserve.

It is a utilitarian view that honors them as heroes and role models. Not all of them take drugs, many work hard to achieve what they do. They are also on staple ads for kids and mums, don't forget.

Those achievements are highly visible and spectacular. Footballers get a tidy scholarship from the country which they don't need to pay back, don't pay hecs and make a fortune after. Get any higher degree and you are knee deep in dept before even bought a house.

What not to make them heroes in the eyes of aspiring youngsters? So they take drugs. We the taxpayers may have padded their life a little too much. So stop blaming them.