Spirit of the Game

[sydney-dog]

Just interested on people's thoughts on a growing trend in the game of players taking dive's, milking free's and 50m penalties.

Players have always played for free kick's, especially forwards, but recently this has gone to a new level.

Last week, Buckly won a free kick in the goal square by throwing himself to the ground in a twisting manner, last night a Freo player took a dive claiming Burton hit him, this afternoon Snieder milked a 50m by making absolutely no attempt to gather a throw from the man on the mark.....

For me, I would hate to see our game become like soccer, I'm sure once Buckley see the replay of his free he will realise how bad it looks....

Yes umpires need to be more switched on to what is happening but I also think players need to play within the spirit of the game and for me some of the recent incidents have gone a bit too far....

Interested in other people's thoughts

[Rik E Boy]

I think it is the result of the rules committee trying to justify it's existence. Every year they come up with more and more bogus rule changes which make it even more difficult for the umpires to interpret the rules of the game. With the legislation removing the physical contest, this brings into play the divers and those trying to milk frees.

This weekend we've had Scott West diving and getting a goal and today we've had a Swan player doing his best to NOT catch the ball and was duly rewarded with a 50m penalty and goal at a vital stage against Melbourne (Buchanan I think it was). Geoff Gieschien, Kevin Bartlett..go away..go far, far away.

regards,

REB

[Blue Boy]

No Spirit if you play that way - none at all

[Magpiespower]

Buckley's effort against the Kangaroos was a shocker.

[Ian]

They've been doing it since I was a kid in the '70's, and they'll still be doing it in another 30 years.
I don't agree with it, bur if anything I think it was more prevelant in the VFL & SANFL in the '70's than it is now.

[sydney-dog]

Ian

Yes players have been playing for free kicks since the game started, but some of the recent efforts such as Buckley's take it to a totally new level.

I'm sure if Nathan see's the replay of his performance even he would think it's not good for the game

[MightyEagles]

Next you'll have The Spirit Squad (WWE) out there playing.

[sydney-dog]

MightyEagles
Not sure what your point is,
but my point is, if I was a coach, I would want my side to pride itself on winning the hard contested footy, when players move away from that intent and stage staging and taking dives, they may as well put on a soccer strip

we do not want our game to get to that

[Coorong]

Its been around for as long as the game has been umpired. And I hate it.

You only have to watch Lloyd & Wanganeen to see they have perfected it. Still we dont have to watch them for the rest of the season so thats one good thing.

Cannot believe the way some guys suck in the umps, week in week out.

[sydney-dog]

I know playing for free kicks has been part of the game 4 ever

for me, Im not sure if you guys have seen some of the incidents over the past week or so, more particularly the Buckley incident in the goal square, Buckhanam 50 m yesterday, and the Freo player staging that Burton pushed him around the throat, I just feel that it has gone to a whole new level, especially in the case of Buckley, I don't think he would be proud of that particular incident

[Magpiespower]

In Wanganeen's defence, I would say that the vast majority of his free kicks are there.

He just makes the infringement look a million times worse than it actually is.

[BubblesOfBlue]

Wanganeen is one of the best players I have ever seen at running onto the ball in the forward lines and tapping it in front of him while his opponent drags him down! I hate it every time he does it but it is not his fault and if it works why wouldnt he?

[Rik E Boy]

In Wanganeen's defence, I would say that the vast majority of his free kicks are there.

He just makes the infringement look a million times worse than it actually is.

In Wanganeen's defence, I would say that the vast majority of his free kicks are there.

your sincerely,

Mr Port Supporter.

LMAO Counsellor!!

regards,

REB

[Punk Rooster]

today we've had a Swan player doing his best to NOT catch the ball and was duly rewarded with a 50m penalty and goal at a vital stage against Melbourne (Buchanan I think it was)

Jared Rivers

[Magpiespower]

In Wanganeen's defence, I would say that the vast majority of his free kicks are there.

He just makes the infringement look a million times worse than it actually is.

In Wanganeen's defence, I would say that the vast majority of his free kicks are there.

your sincerely,

Mr Port Supporter.

LMAO Counsellor!!

regards,

REB

Put your body on the line as often as Wanganeen has and you'll be rewarded.

The defence rests.

[Wedgie]

The AFL is a joke.
I dislike Burton but the report and subsequent 2 games was a joke, if I was Burton I would have smacked the other bloke earlier and harder and I'm no Crows lover! The decision against Pickett was also a joke.
The worst part about the 50m against Jarod Rivers which was a joke was that the AFL have publicly come out and supported the decision.
If that isn't proof that they have no idea and are completely incompetent I don't know what is.

Luckily for the AFL most of the theatre goers who enjoy the AFL would still follow the game if there was no ball as they're obsessed by close games and marketing and wouldn't know a decent sporting event if it hit them between the eyes. There wouldn't be an easier job in the world than working for the AFL thanks to some hard work of others years ago.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I always have a giggle at the 'deliberate out of bounds' rule. It is obvious to every fan in the outer when as player goes for the safety of the line, but umpires apparently can't work this one out. I love the way commentators smirk and say, "cleverly disguised", as if they are the only people discerning enough to know the player went for the line on purpose. Either you have a rule or you don't. The only time you see a player pinged for this is early in the 1st quarter or late in the final term when there's less than a goal the difference.

And Wedgie ... did you say Burton got 2 games? It couldn't have been for the incident I saw. If it was, the game has seriously gotten soft.

[sydney-dog]

Adelaide Hawk

The Tribunal Committee have offered the Birdman two games

[Rik E Boy]

The AFL is a joke.
I dislike Burton but the report and subsequent 2 games was a joke, if I was Burton I would have smacked the other bloke earlier and harder and I'm no Crows lover! The decision against Pickett was also a joke.
The worst part about the 50m against Jarod Rivers which was a joke was that the AFL have publicly come out and supported the decision.
If that isn't proof that they have no idea and are completely incompetent I don't know what is.

Luckily for the AFL most of the theatre goers who enjoy the AFL would still follow the game if there was no ball as they're obsessed by close games and marketing and wouldn't know a decent sporting event if it hit them between the eyes. There wouldn't be an easier job in the world than working for the AFL thanks to some hard work of others years ago.

Scene: Her Majesty's theatre, backstage. REB and EA are currently discussing the state of the AFL....

English Actor(beaming): I say old chap we thespians have never had it so good, we had over a milliion patrons to the theatre last season..jolly good show.

REB: Nah, Wedgie is right and a million fans are wrong! Shocking sport, you better lift your game instead of your shirt.

English Actor: Perhaps we should bring back the gluepot and the old kick mark stuff say what.

REB: Just like the good old days, but Wedge is OTM when it comes to that tribunal, bloody shocking.

English Actor: Humour in the finest English tradition old boy.

END OF ACT IV

regards,

REB

[Booney]

The AFL is a joke.
I dislike Burton but the report and subsequent 2 games was a joke, if I was Burton I would have smacked the other bloke earlier and harder and I'm no Crows lover! The decision against Pickett was also a joke.
The worst part about the 50m against Jarod Rivers which was a joke was that the AFL have publicly come out and supported the decision.
If that isn't proof that they have no idea and are completely incompetent I don't know what is.

Luckily for the AFL most of the theatre goers who enjoy the AFL would still follow the game if there was no ball as they're obsessed by close games and marketing and wouldn't know a decent sporting event if it hit them between the eyes. There wouldn't be an easier job in the world than working for the AFL thanks to some hard work of others years ago.

Why is it Wedgie that you rip into "theatre goers",the people who attend AFL games and support AFL teams?

What the AFL is providing,is a product,now I know your marketing comment will suggest it is not a product but a game.Well true,it is a game,but like anything,if people have to pay to go and see it they want their moneys worth.
What the people want,they inevitably get,especially if they are paying big bucks to see it.So in fact,what the AFL is providing at the moment is what people want.As REB has pointed out ,millions go through the gates each and every year.It might not be what the vast majority of people would like modern football to look at be played out like,but,IT IS! Thats why so many go each week.

What I think the modern game is showing is most supporters love their club more than they love the game itself.Change rules,interpritations,tribunal systems as much as you like,crikey,even get dimwits to umpire rules they dont understand,bottom line is people still want to go to the footy to see their side win,no matter what the brand of game they play.

If you are going to shout people down for going to AFL games as being fools,idiot's,what ever you like,point is they go for one reason,they love it!