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Players getting into scraps and having fights on the field has always been a part of the game.
So why is it only now that I’m beginning to notice it more? As I get older and more mature I start to watch and appreciate the game in a purely enjoyable way for the entertainment it is.
I have grown out of yelling “come on, bash him!” at the TV – and so have many other people – because we learn that although this contributes to the emotional side of a game, it’s irresponsible.
What I’m learning now is that from where I watch at home or in the stands I don’t believe that this behaviour is acceptable.
Never should a young child be encouraging violence, whether it’s happening in professional sport or not.
I am not surprised that there are kids out there who like to see a bit of a scuffle.
I understand how in the heat of the moment emotions begin to flare up. But I don’t think players hitting each other week in and week out is a very good image for the AFL.
There’s always heat on the match review panel, but each week they must make a judgement on more and more players.
Last year, Brian Lake pinned Drew Petrie on the ground and subsequently ‘choked’ him. This action is absolutely disgraceful and could have seriously injured Petrie, with doctors fearing he could have been asphyxiated.
There was undoubtedly children in the crowd and watching from home and I would hate for them to be seeing this behaviour and thinking it’s OK.
These kids watch their idols cause physical pain and injuries to the opposition. Do you ever wonder that they might start to think that this is an OK thing to do?
We can’t stop the players getting caught up in the moment but we can better educate the children around us that this isn’t sportsmanlike behaviour.
We must show them that it is never the right thing to do.
Taylor Adams and his pesky knee to Justin Westhoff’s face is another prime example of taking it too far in the game. Being frustrated in a game is perfectly fine, it’s normal. However, when your frustration causes someone else physical pain or injury, that’s when it becomes dangerous and irresponsible.
Do you want your children to be looking up to someone that gets violent on the field regardless of how good a player they are?
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