THE PLAYBOY club is not only a venue featuring women in bunny outfits. New Victorian research shows the term can also describe at least one Melbourne AFL side.

A study of players in four Melbourne clubs found that popularity and influence were determined by different factors for each team.

These ranged from sexual success and violence, to ability on the field.

"People have a general view that all players have poor attitudes towards women and are always getting into trouble," Melbourne University behavioural scientist Dean Lusher said.

"Obviously, there are some that do, but the idea that all players have bad attitudes towards women is not correct." Dr Lusher, with two colleagues — Associate Professor Garry Robins, and a Ballarat University sport psychology lecturer, Dr Peter Kremer, — interviewed more than 100 players about attitudes on masculinity.

Analysis of the responses showed that while popularity depended largely on skill and playing experience, other factors also had a strong effect, with each side emphasising a different element of masculinity.

One club had a "playboy culture", with popular players believing manliness was largely about sexual success with women, while at the "violent club" the most popular members said violence and aggression were natural for men.

The other two teams were classified as the "anti-playboy" side — where those who spoke out against the playboy type were the most popular — and the "football-oriented" club, where on-field skill was the key to a player's social success.

The initial survey of the players in 2005 was commissioned by the AFL, and the researchers plan to present their new analysis to the league and the AFL Players Association.

CLUB CULTUREPlayers believe manliness is about sexual success.

THE PLAYBOY CLUB

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THE FOOTBALL-ORIENTED CLUBOn-field ability and experience key factors behind popularity.

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THE VIOLENT CLUBPopular players believe it is natural for men to use violence.

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THE ANTI-PLAYBOY CLUBRejection of the "playboy" attitude made players popular.

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