Riccuito press conference

[NFC]

The fact of the matter is that a curfew is ridiculous and the AFC is starting to lose grip with reality.

Do you think we are the only club with a curfew or other player behaviour/game preparation rules?

Players do what they want at the other 15 clubs?

No, just the only ones stupid enough to do what we've done.

Eagles are a rabble, and yet they're a big chance to go back-to-back. Wow.

[Hondo]

No, just the only ones stupid enough to do what we've done.

I think we'd be surprised to find it's more common than we think ....

Freo's playing group gave Farmer 6 weeks remember - and fair enough too I reckon

[sydney-dog]

NFC

The club did not impose the curfew, it was an initiative from the Players, the purpose, to try and maximise their preperation given the next 5 weeks is critical to the season

the players not the club declared this responsibility, the players set the standards, now they need to be upheld

[Blue Boy]

IMO our coach is giving to much leveridge to the players and I personally think this can be a coaches easy out clause.

Some easy targets are getting punished I think and if they think this is the first time it has happened then they are kidding them selves !!!

[smac]

It's only been in place a few weeks blue boy.

What it has done is show that players are accountable to each other and they accept that - proven by the lads owning up to their mistake.

If you agree to do something at work and don't do it, what happens? Mor often than not, you get busted and then you get punished in some way. The culture at AFC insists that you own up to transgressions.

Good on them.

[Punk Rooster]

People should take their rose-coloured galsses off- the Crows have shot themselves in the foot on this one.
The idea of the curfew?
To prepare for finals?
Not selecting your best side is a good way to ensure you don't play finals...

NFC hit the nail on the head- the Crows have lost any grip they had on reality...

Hudson, Pfeiffer & Vince must be bemused that they get suspended, while it's well known that other players are getting up to much worse- inside of cufew or not.

[silicone skyline]

Neil Craig to Hudson: "Benny, your mother and I have talked this over, and we've noticed you staying up past bed time has affected your moods.
With this in mind, we imposed this curfew for your own benefit.
You chose to break this curfew, and for this you will be grounded for one week.
From now on if your not all tucked in by curfew, I'm afraid we may have to smack your bottom, and you will have no playstation for a month."

How quickly will half these players be looking for a transfer??

[Hondo]

How quickly will half these players be looking for a transfer??

Why?

It's their system - agreed by all of them 3 weeks ago

[silicone skyline]

What would happen if you as a player didn't agree with the system Hondo, would you voice it?

[Aerie]

How quickly will half these players be looking for a transfer??

Why?

It's their system - agreed by all of them 3 weeks ago

The coaching staff were concerned by some of the things that have happened in recent times. Talked to the leadership group. The leadership group decided to do something about it. Put in a curfew. Everyone agrees - which of course they would. As if a young player would speak up over such an issue. They put in rules and penalties and think they're very clever because they've solved the problem and now it's easy because everyone knows exactly what to do and how they'll be punished.

Fast forward three weeks and two young players, with discipline in mind, report to the leadership group that they were 20 minutes late. Hudson follows and admits he was out 1 hour later. This showed discipline and a professionalism that the original task was meant to create. Whether you agree with a curfew (which to me is very childish) or not it has provoked some responsibility.

At this point everyone is a winner.

Then, because the leadership group is so bloody minded and fail to grasp on to the fact that what they have put in place has actually done some good, they go through with suspending them for 1 week and not only harming the players in question more than the "crime" they committed deserved, but also greatly harm the chances of their own club and even though they don't care - the SANFL clubs these lads play for.

Remembering we're talking about being 20 minutes to 1 hour late to go home on a Saturday night. It's not like they missed a rehab session, a meeting, training or were late for the game. Way over the top IMO and very dumb by the leadership group.

At this point no one is a winner.

[silicone skyline]

Well said Aerie

[smac]

Player run intiatives like this one is a key component in why Centrals are where they are.

I have experienced the "Leading Teams" philosophy from both sides of the fence - as a player at Centrals when it was introduced and as a manager in my work environment.

Looking at isolated situations is not going to provide an understanding that will lead to acceptance of the philosophy - the AFC are building a culture that will hold them in good stead for years to come.

[Dogwatcher]

Ahhhh Smac, force you have.

Wise one you are.

[smac]

Follow my ways young padawan...

[RustyCage]

How quickly will half these players be looking for a transfer??

Why?

It's their system - agreed by all of them 3 weeks ago

Its not really an agreement as such, rather than a this is how its going to be thing. The players have no choice but to accept it.

[Felch]

You cant break a rule by a little bit, you either break it or you dont - simple.
IMO, AFC showed some balls, short term pain for long term gain.
Might cost AFC a finals spot, but that responsibility rests wholely on the 3 players involved.
No different to getting yourself reported, copping a suspension. Broke a rule, whether you like it or not, and let your team mates down.

[Hondo]

What would happen if you as a player didn't agree with the system Hondo, would you voice it?

Yes

But I wouldn't then buck the system if I didn't get my own way

If I was 18 I'd probably shut up and do as I was told because I want to make sure I make the most of my opportunity at AFL level

This happens all day, everyday in work, sport, life - anything. Break a rule, cop the consequences - good lesson learned by the boys.

1 ruckman down will not have a huge impact on our performance on Sunday IMO. Given we are already missing Rutten, Bassett & others - Hudson is at least a position we can cover sufficiently.

It's our last 3 games that are more key for a finals chances anyway as the Cats would be hard to beat even with our best side - at least now I doubt anyone else will break the rules and miss those games.

[smac]

It was a junior player at the time who is credited with standing up to the senior playing group and starting the process of turning the club around at Centrals.

Quality people are quality people from any age.

[Booney]

People enter agreements knowing if one aspect of the agreed criteria is broken,consequences,as also agreed to by both parties will be inforced.

Hudson agreed to the criteria.If you dont agree with a curfew in the first place,or in any type of 'guidelines',your opinion in this matter counts very little.The point of all this is,he agreed to terms,he broke the rules attached to these terms,he faces the penalty that are a consequence of his actions.The leadership group had no option.Well done to them for standing firm.

[Psyber]

Only people with no self-respect and self-control think it is alright for others to have no self-respect and self-control and break the agreements they make, and that they should be let off for convenience sake.

Have they and some of us got only the will power and moral strength of the average 5 year old?

What next, "I didn't mean to murder anyone officer, it was just an oversight, so I should be let off. No-one else has ever expected me to be responsible!"