John Harms - Crows' fans blinded by light of Stobie poles

[rogernumber10]

Tony Lockett, kicking his 100th goal for the season in about 15 games in either late 91 or 92, to silence. I think he deserved at least a polite clap, as averaging around 6.5 goals a game and monstering the whole competition over those two years was a pretty fair effort.

[McAlmanac]

Magnificent article - John has published it at his website Footy Almanac. On the site, however, there is a postscript which is most interesting. I replied to him, which he graciously replied back.

There is another article on there from a Richard Arrowsmith which also makes good reading.

[heater31]

I was a season ticketholder for 8 years, same seats for all that time. After all that, I decided not to renew for:

- The astonishing number of fans who do not understand the "holding the ball" rule. Opposition players who were touched by a Crows player were immediately deemed "BALL!!!", yet a Crows player could be spun 720 degrees, rightly pinned and the umpire's parentage would be questioned long and loud.

- The same number of fans who called repeatedly for the "dropping the ball" decision. I have looked through the rule book numerous times and am yet to find a rule entitled "dropping the ball". Incorrect disposal - yes, but "dropping the ball" does not exist, yet I found myself in a nonsensical and lengthy argument one day with a Crows fan who insisted there was a rule called "dropping the ball".

I have finally found the source of this problem.................Its the Norwood Footy Club. They are exactly the same at the Parade the other week. it got that bad it got me to yell out We aint at Footy Park you clowns.

get to know the laws of the game (just for you am bays ) and its a two way street.

[JK]

I was a season ticketholder for 8 years, same seats for all that time. After all that, I decided not to renew for:

- The astonishing number of fans who do not understand the "holding the ball" rule. Opposition players who were touched by a Crows player were immediately deemed "BALL!!!", yet a Crows player could be spun 720 degrees, rightly pinned and the umpire's parentage would be questioned long and loud.

- The same number of fans who called repeatedly for the "dropping the ball" decision. I have looked through the rule book numerous times and am yet to find a rule entitled "dropping the ball". Incorrect disposal - yes, but "dropping the ball" does not exist, yet I found myself in a nonsensical and lengthy argument one day with a Crows fan who insisted there was a rule called "dropping the ball".

I have finally found the source of this problem.................Its the Norwood Footy Club. They are exactly the same at the Parade the other week. it got that bad it got me to yell out We aint at Footy Park you clowns.

get to know the laws of the game (just for you am bays ) and its a two way street.

Yep there are some Norwood fans like that, but I don't think anymore than other clubs experience, except maybe 1 ... Im gobsmacked this came from a Sturt supporter lol

[Gingernuts]

Magnificent article - John has published it at his website Footy Almanac. On the site, however, there is a postscript which is most interesting. I replied to him, which he graciously replied back.

There is another article on there from a Richard Arrowsmith which also makes good reading.

Had a look at the Arrowsmith article, a very good read also. Your observations were good too mate.

I do think that allocated seating contributes to the general lack of enthusiasm. Long term ticket holders are just too comfortable I think. The club should do a 'random seat' exercise at the start of the year so that no-one sits in the same seat each year, get rid of that '2nd loungeroom' feel.

[Ruben Carter]

I was a season ticketholder for 8 years, same seats for all that time. After all that, I decided not to renew for:

- The astonishing number of fans who do not understand the "holding the ball" rule. Opposition players who were touched by a Crows player were immediately deemed "BALL!!!", yet a Crows player could be spun 720 degrees, rightly pinned and the umpire's parentage would be questioned long and loud.

- The same number of fans who called repeatedly for the "dropping the ball" decision. I have looked through the rule book numerous times and am yet to find a rule entitled "dropping the ball". Incorrect disposal - yes, but "dropping the ball" does not exist, yet I found myself in a nonsensical and lengthy argument one day with a Crows fan who insisted there was a rule called "dropping the ball".


- Vast number of fans who completely refused to acknowledge good play by the opposition, and who looked aghast at anyone who applauded it. Mark Merenda's (when playing for West Coast) goal at the Northern end one day was one of the best I have seen at any level; Shane Crawford, in his Brownlow year, carved up Adelaide with 41 disposals and got BOG in a losing team; great high marks from opposition, yet all largely greeted with silence. Applause was usually met with suspicious sideways glances.

- Being nearly knocked over in the rush for fans to escape around the 15 minute mark of the final term when the margin blew out to 3 goals - either way.

- Fans who attended for over 5 years, yet still called out for "Number 9, get on your man", "That was a rubbish kick, 16" etc.

How so true...Great post
You did forget the questioning of the goal umpires decision from 4 storeys up,90 deg angle to the goaline and 125 m away from the goal line.An AAMI stadium members classic. Our family had 4 cat1 memberships between us and continued them on when the Crows joined delighted that we would not have to go to Melbourne 4-5 times a year for the footy despite not having a Crows fan in a family of 7 boys..We just gave up as they were not being used at all a few years ago .Even when the Crows were being done there was no enjoyment to be had there at all

Great assessment of your "Joe Average" Crows supporter fellas
I can only add one other significant trait - any sign of physicality at all ; even just a heavy bump or shepherd and they all want the death penalty brought back. Honestly, they cannot accept that footy is a mans' game with physical contact. Byron Pickett was never appreciated for his relentless, unmercival attach AT THE BALL by Crows fans in fact they were blinded by his aggression, and natural ability to meet a body hard and with great speed that they never really saw him play. And most are still defending Bickley for that incident with Darryl Wakelin all those years ago...
It's enough to make you take up knitting...

[watcher]

The problem with Byron Pickett was that he did not have eyes only for the ball and that he did look through the contest and attack players who did have their eyes on the ball. That is why he was unpopular and why he was ultimately umpired out of the game. I think you are rather loose in your retelling of facts about the game.

[GWW]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-LTDH5Djls

[Psyber]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-LTDH5Djls

Interesting in retrospect...
The commentators describe it as a "fair bump" in play, yet the ball was about 20 feet away going in the opposite direction chased by another Crows player.
The also claim in the same sentence that Biglands was "trying to block Pickett" and that he wasn't aware that Picket was there???
To my eye Pickett took out a player who had lost the chance to get the ball, and was moving away from it.
He was no longer involved it the play and off-balance, having more or less tripped over the ball several paces earlier.

[Ruben Carter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-LTDH5Djls

Interesting in retrospect...
The commentators describe it as a "fair bump" in play, yet the ball was about 20 feet away going in the opposite direction chased by another Crows player.
The also claim in the same sentence that Biglands was "trying to block Pickett" and that he wasn't aware that Picket was there???
To my eye Pickett took out a player who had lost the chance to get the ball, and was moving away from it.
He was no longer involved it the play and off-balance, having more or less tripped over the ball several paces earlier.

Perfectly "fair" bump and within the rules of the game. Honestly, it's nothing you wouldn't see at country and metro matches every week and it's the reason people go to the footy. Only Crow supporting grannies and those with no idea about the game would have any concern with that example.

[Leaping Lindner]

- The astonishing number of fans who do not understand the "holding the ball" rule. Opposition players who were touched by a Crows player were immediately deemed "BALL!!!", yet a Crows player could be spun 720 degrees, rightly pinned and the umpire's parentage would be questioned long and loud.

I reckon this one happens with more than just Crows fans ... It usually happens with any club on those occasions they boast a clear majority of crowd support - Essendon fans at the Dome spring readily to mind.

On the article itself, I can't disagree either ... Those Crow fans I know that are serious about supporting them do seem to carry a high amount of negativity.

Thank you!
Add to that Collingwood fans at the MCG/Victoria Park, Carlton fans at Princes Park/MCG, St Kilda fans at Docklands and let's not forget the absolute "Uber" supporters of all time the tragic, one eyed folk that frequent the Punt Road end of the MCG when Richmond play.
I don't know why people think it's unique to the Crows.

[Ruben Carter]

The problem with Byron Pickett was that he did not have eyes only for the ball and that he did look through the contest and attack players who did have their eyes on the ball. That is why he was unpopular and why he was ultimately umpired out of the game. I think you are rather loose in your retelling of facts about the game.

on the other hand Bickley never played outside the rules of the game regarding physical aggression

[watcher]

I guess Ruben that means you agree Byron played outside both the laws and spirit of the game!

[Psyber]

...Perfectly "fair" bump and within the rules of the game. Honestly, it's nothing you wouldn't see at country and metro matches every week and it's the reason people go to the footy. Only Crow supporting grannies and those with no idea about the game would have any concern with that example.

You are possibly right there. It certain was so when I was a kid.
It is also the reason why, as a 13 year old with expectations of a long life to suffer in if crippled in "sport", I chose to play Hockey instead.

[Ruben Carter]

I guess Ruben that means you agree Byron played outside both the laws and spirit of the game!

No Watcher, I have an opinion like many others about the way Byron played. There were times when I agree that it was a very fine line in respect to reasonable physical contact and reckless charging at a player.
However, I believe like many other fair minded football fans that he was seriously maligned particularly whilst a Power player, by the umpires and the AFL.
My point is that Crows fans still carry on about Bickley like he was some kind of saint, and I never ever saw Byron do anything closely resembling that disgraceful act committed by Bickley against Wakelin all those years ago.
All this only confirms the thoughts posted here by Harms and others about the sensitivity of Crows fans and how little tolerance they have for anything un-CROW like.

[Psyber]

Bickley's act against Wakelin was appalling, but it was an out of character one, and he expressed regret that he had done it in a later interview.
That is unlike Pickett, and some others, who have demonstrated an ongoing pattern of "taking out" players not in the context of competition for the ball.

[Ron Burgundy]

...Perfectly "fair" bump and within the rules of the game. Honestly, it's nothing you wouldn't see at country and metro matches every week and it's the reason people go to the footy. Only Crow supporting grannies and those with no idea about the game would have any concern with that example.

You are possibly right there. It certain was so when I was a kid.
It is also the reason why, as a 13 year old with expectations of a long life to suffer in if crippled in "sport", I chose to play Hockey instead.

So by playing Hockey you chose to be crippled in life

[Dogwatcher]

I've seen some pretty damaged hockey players in my time.
And believe me, they can be as naughty as footballers when partying.

[Psyber]

So by playing Hockey you chose to be crippled in life

No, I figured Hockey didn't quite have the same culture of deliberately maiming the opposition, and you could just be alert for predictable risks you could see coming.
I kept my head out of the way if anyone swung wildly, but took the odd stick to my arms and legs.
Amateurs having a go at Hockey are the real risk - they tend to lack stick skills and lash about wildly.
All I ever suffered were a few large bruises, and I do have a slightly dodgy right medial meniscus.
Once I hit Uni I swapped to Fencing, and, of course, that isn't easy on the knees either.

[Psyber]

I've seen some pretty damaged hockey players in my time.
And believe me, they can be as naughty as footballers when partying.

Yes one of my mates was inclined to put his head down when reaching for the ball and got hit on the bridge of the nose with a stick - a nasty cut but it missed his eyes, fortunately.
Being a bit taller than average enabled me to keep my face away from most of that risk.
Partying - all boys are the same - I had a friend in a Life Saving club, at Grange I think it was, who had some stories to tell.