There's been plenty happening this past week in the AFL, what with the Gold Coasters getting involved in their own Hangover 2 in Thailand, the continuing pay dispute between the AFL and its players, and of course Ross Lyon and his defection across the Nullarbor to the Fremantle Dockers.

However, lost in the shuffle was perhaps one of the biggest stories of the week. It didn't involve a player, or a coach, but someone who was once among the richest men in Australia and his close links to an AFL club.

Former Visy boss, and Carlton president, the late Richard Pratt again made the headlines for reasons that can hardly be described as edifying.

It was alleged by one of Pratt's former mistresses that Visy - Pratt's cardboard empire - had spent vast amounts of money covering up his affairs, with ''special accounts'' that ''dealt with'' these sexual indiscretions. The woman, Madison Ashton, is suing the Pratt estate for $10 million. She also allegedly that Pratt instructed her to spend some "quality time" with a former-bodyguard, because the ex-Pratt employee was privy to some unflattering information about the cardboard king.

The Pratt estate is currently locked in a bitter dispute with Ashton - who was just one of his mistresses, mind you - in a trial held at the NSW Supreme Court.

Of course, this is not the first time that Pratt's name has surfaced in a courtroom. You'll remember, of course, he was fined a record $36 million for price-fixing during his time in charge of Visy.

So why dredge this up now? Why does all this matter?

Simply, because the late-billionaire is a name that has become synonymous with Carlton Football Club and therefore the AFL. And it's hard to understand how the league can tolerate an association with someone of such dubious moral standing.

Pratt had a brief playing career with Carlton, however his greatest impact came during his brief stint as president of the club. Pratt is widely recognized as the savior of the Blues, and was also instrumental in helping deliver star midfielder Chris Judd to the club.

As recognition for his wallet-driven contribution to the club, Pratt is greatly revered by the Carlton hierarchy and loyal supporter base. To honour their former president, when Carlton host arch-rivals Collingwood during the home-and-away season, the club struck a trophy in his name, the 'Richard Pratt Cup'.

While Pratt's contribution to the club cannot be understated, and he is not around to defend himself, the latest allegations aired in court last week tell us that it is time for the Carlton Football Club - and the AFL - to severe ties with the deceased billionaire.

Before an avalanche of abuse descends on us for tarnishing Pratt's name, have a closer look at the situation.

The AFL is in the business of professional sport. Image, integrity - and 'brand' - is incredibly important to any company, but especially one that is in the process of an aggressive nationwide expansion such as the AFL.

The AFL is desperately battling to win over the hearts and minds of fans from heathen northern states.

Pratt was forced to step down from his duties as president during the furore that surrounded the Visy trial in 2008 and the latest scandal should be seen as an opportunity for Carlton to distance itself from any further controversy. Or does huge private wealth mean he's immune from the standards we apply to everyone else in the game - especially the players?

The first step should be the immediately renaming of the Richard Pratt Cup.

When Collingwood host the Blues, they play for the 'Peter Mac Cup', and proceeds go towards Australia's only public hospital for cancer treatment - a cause that all football fans would agree is incredibly worthy. Carlton could choose from the litany of other great charities that exist today, and instead use the match to raise awareness for their chosen cause, rather than honour a man whose actions - in the boardroom and bedroom - have demonstrated that he's undeserving of such reverence.

The Carlton Football Club is an institution in Australian sport, and its records are littered with the names of some of Australian football's true greats.

While they should always be thankful that Pratt was there for the club when it was faced with some of its greatest challenges, the time has come for Carlton - and the AFL - to separate itself from the legacy of Richard Pratt.