SAAFL Division 7 2013

[Cohiba]

FFS, lets be realistic about this - if you were one measley Match Day Offical, I don't think you wouldve had much luck telling these certain supporters to behave themselves

Absolutely... To take it one step further......any intervention by a designated match day official into any kind of physical unpleasantness where injuries (serious or otherwise) were sustained by him or her, could have repercussions against the SAAFL re compensation for failure of duty of care toward officials..... We know this to be true for e.g."umpires".......who if they cop a serve, verbal or physical, are afforded protections and are given licence to dispense penalties as they see fit..... I'm not sure if Match Day Officials have that kind of leverage, and even if they did, mob mentality will not prevent them from getting "smacked" or worse for trying to do the right thing.

So Morell's comment regarding the absence of the Match Day Official was not well considered IMO.

At the end of the day, they are public grounds and we really don't have control over who comes and watches.

Agree....You make another valid point.......Our MDO's are not policeman nor are they appointed for crowd control.

[Q.]

Houghton v Flinders Uni will be an absolute beeeeauty i think.. but i reckon Houghton will get up given they are home..
Henley v SHOC looks an interesting clash..

Flinders Park vs Angle Vale is important.

If AV drop the game they will have lost 3 in a row. FU need to win to stay in touch with top 5.

[morell]

Hang on a sec people, I wasn't having a crack at the Match Day officials, I was merely posing the question as to what role, if any, they played.

I know at our games if anyone needs their head pulled in, which is often the seed which grows into something worse, it is their responsibility to either remove those people or facilitate someone with a greater authority to remove them. Is this not the case at other clubs? What is the procedure for when a match day official unwillingly loses control? Is that documented anywhere? Are match day officials trained or aware of their responsibilities? Questions have to be asked about how this game was being administered and run.

I don't think we need to "move on" either. That is a cop out. We need to as a football community assist with fixing it and ensure it never happens again. One way is to use a collective mind to come with ideas, mechanisms, policies, thoughts, experiences. This forum could be of assistance for that.

If it appears that this is a geographic issue, in that the ground is convenient for unwanted public patrons to take control, then do we need to look at scheduling?

This is why I asked the question about what the pre-cursors were, as that would in turn drive the actions needed.

We cannot just say "shit, that was bad, but lets not talk about it, and move one and concentrate on kicking some leather through posts".

[Cohiba]

Hang on a sec people, I wasn't having a crack at the Match Day officials, I was merely posing the question as to what role, if any, they played.

I know at our games if anyone needs their head pulled in, which is often the seed which grows into something worse, it is their responsibility to either remove those people or facilitate someone with a greater authority to remove them. Is this not the case at other clubs? What is the procedure for when a match day official unwillingly loses control? Is that documented anywhere? Are match day officials trained or aware of their responsibilities? Questions have to be asked about how this game was being administered and run.

I don't think we need to "move on" either. That is a cop out. We need to as a football community assist with fixing it and ensure it never happens again. One way is to use a collective mind to come with ideas, mechanisms, policies, thoughts, experiences. This forum could be of assistance for that.

If it appears that this is a geographic issue, in that the ground is convenient for unwanted public patrons to take control, then do we need to look at scheduling?

This is why I asked the question about what the pre-cursors were, as that would in turn drive the actions needed.

We cannot just say "shit, that was bad, but lets not talk about it, and move one and concentrate on kicking some leather through posts".

No biggie M......My point being if for example if the Match Day Official was to approach people on an oval drinking stubbies in a bid to have them leave the oval because it is in the "Handbook" as part of his duty to do so.... and then was subsequently "glassed" because they to umbrage, could he not then go the league for not providing a safe work environment, by placing him in harm's way without foresight of due care when prescribing the duties he is responsible for??? Could he in fact sue the league for "just" compensation for injuries sustained. Hence what could the MDO have accomplished last week?

[Footy Chick]

It has also been brought to my attention that Smithfield actually had 2 Match day officials and 2 security guards on duty which is normal for them.

Chances are that this wouldve been more than enough security for any other given game.

Morell, if you can come up with an idea on how to remove those involved on the night then you'll be deemed a hero by the state and country. You'll probably be given a medal.

[Phantom Gossiper]

If it was a Flinders home game do you thing they would win?

Yup..

[Cohiba]

It has also been brought to my attention that Smithfield actually had 2 Match day officials and 2 security guards on duty which is normal for them.

Chances are that this wouldve been more than enough security for any other given game.

Morell, if you can come up with an idea on how to remove those involved on the night then you'll be deemed a hero by the state and country. You'll probably be given a medal.

And 2 security guards as normal!!!!!! .........you would have my attention FC......

[morell]

Yep, agreed, so what role does the Match Day official play in this then? Understand if the answer is nothing, that might be perfectly valid.

However, I refuse to believe that a group of people just had a switch flicked and started assaulting others randomly. There was something which initiated it, even if it was, in the scheme of things, relatively innocent. What contributed to then explode the situation into something worse that a bit of argy bargy?

I would bet a sizeable amount of my own money that alcohol contributed. Does the consumption of alcohol policy need to be reviewed?
"" that unwarranted and unruly "supporting" contributed. Does the expected behaviour policy need to be reviewed?
"" that the location, time and demographics of the area contributed. Does the scheduling need to be reviewed?
"" that the type of game being played and the nature of the clubs themselves contributed. Do the clubs need to be retrained, re-educated or even perhaps sanctioned?

I know the good folk at the SAAFL would be trying to answer these questions themselves, but I think if the discussion can be as open as possible amongst some knowledgeable football people on here than all the merrier.

[morell]

Morell, if you can come up with an idea on how to remove those involved on the night then you'll be deemed a hero by the state and country. You'll probably be given a medal.

Hindsight is always in 20/20. But. I would question why these people are there at all. What affiliation do they have with the clubs involved if any?

We keep talking about the night itself, I am I guess trying to open the discussion on what caused the night to be dark full of terrors (trying to keep the Game of Thrones references going).

[Q.]

In hindsight, a night game (of significance) between two clubs with a recent history of 'incidences' may not have been the greatest idea.

Winter is coming.

[Cohiba]

Yep, agreed, so what role does the Match Day official play in this then? Understand if the answer is nothing, that might be perfectly valid.

However, I refuse to believe that a group of people just had a switch flicked and started assaulting others randomly. There was something which initiated it, even if it was, in the scheme of things, relatively innocent. What contributed to then explode the situation into something worse that a bit of argy bargy?

I would bet a sizeable amount of my own money that alcohol contributed. Does the consumption of alcohol policy need to be reviewed?
"" that unwarranted and unruly "supporting" contributed. Does the expected behaviour policy need to be reviewed?
"" that the location, time and demographics of the area contributed. Does the scheduling need to be reviewed?
"" that the type of game being played and the nature of the clubs themselves contributed. Do the clubs need to be retrained, re-educated or even perhaps sanctioned?

I know the good folk at the SAAFL would be trying to answer these questions themselves, but I think if the discussion can be as open as possible amongst some knowledgeable football people on here than all the merrier.

knowledgeable football people on here eh???........ let's see... Shrekkie, Gatt Weasel, Petcon, and Jetters should get the ball rolling Marbles can be chairperson.....

[Phantom Gossiper]

However, I refuse to believe that a group of people just had a switch flicked and started assaulting others randomly. There was something which initiated it, even if it was, in the scheme of things, relatively innocent. What contributed to then explode the situation into something worse that a bit of argy bargy?

Actually you see it all the time, people go out just looking for trouble, get a kick out of kicking the crap out of someone.. of course things such as alcohol and drugs increase this "bravado"

[GHS#33]

Are you able to discuss the ongoing problem that is Smithfield without discussing Saturday night.

What ongoing problem?

If you have something to say, just say it.

LOL.

Can anyone tell me what conditions were placed on Smithfield for re-entering the league? Surely they have breached them... a number of times.

[Q.]

Are you able to discuss the ongoing problem that is Smithfield without discussing Saturday night.

What ongoing problem?

If you have something to say, just say it.

LOL.

Can anyone tell me what conditions were placed on Smithfield for re-entering the league? Surely they have breached them... a number of times.

They didn't 'exit' the league because of any 'breaches'. They went from two teams to one team because of lack of numbers.

[GHS#33]

They didn't 'exit' the league because of any 'breaches'. They went from two teams to one team because of lack of numbers.

I was under the impression they re-entered the league last year after being banned. Is this incorrect?

[Lightning McQueen]

Are you able to discuss the ongoing problem that is Smithfield without discussing Saturday night.

What ongoing problem?

If you have something to say, just say it.

LOL.

Can anyone tell me what conditions were placed on Smithfield for re-entering the league? Surely they have breached them... a number of times.

They were never out of the league and what are you on about?

[Lightning McQueen]

They didn't 'exit' the league because of any 'breaches'. They went from two teams to one team because of lack of numbers.

I was under the impression they re-entered the league last year after being banned. Is this incorrect?

Yes it is incorrect.

[Phantom Gossiper]

They were never out of the league and what are you on about?

I like your car LM.. bet it goes weeeeally fast

[Lightning McQueen]

Are you able to discuss the ongoing problem that is Smithfield without discussing Saturday night.

What ongoing problem?

If you have something to say, just say it.

LOL.

Can anyone tell me what conditions were placed on Smithfield for re-entering the league? Surely they have breached them... a number of times.

Name one breach?

[tomo]

If it was a Flinders home game do you thing they would win?

Yup..

Big call considering Flinders Uni have only beaten the four bottom teams this year!