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Hot on the heels of Jonathan Brown’s controversial “muzzle” comments after Richmond captain, Trent Cotchin’s wife, Brooke, spoke out in support of her husband, he’s at it again!
This time, Brown is speaking out against players apologising to opponents for on-field incidents.
Richmond’s Alex Rance called a press conference yesterday to publicly apologise for his head strike to Melbourne’s Jack Watts. Genuinely remorseful, Rance stood up and said he was appalled by his on-field behaviour and that it’s never okay to do what he did. Rance copped a two-week suspension for his indiscretion. He also sent Watts a text message after the game.
Likewise, Tomas Bugg of Melbourne sent a “sorry, mate” text to Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt after pushing him while he was attempting to leave the field following a rolled ankle. Caught up in the moment, Bugg failed to see two of Richmond’s support staff helping Riewoldt leave the ground.
Brown appeared on Nova 100, saying, “I don’t see the need to apologise, we’re on the field of battle out there between the white lines… texts weren’t around for especially the early part of my career, but no way known I’d text a player unless I’d king hit him or put him in hospital.”
We’re living in a time where men are dying because of one punch. This is our harsh reality. One stupid, cowardly act, whether it’s on the street, in a pub or on a football field, one punch can kill. It has killed.
Promising young footballer, Patrick Cronin, was buried today (April 27). He was just 19. He died last week, two days after being punched from behind during a wild, all-in- brawl at the Windy Mile Hotel in Diamond Creek, Victoria. He was hit as he tried to pull a friend out of the melee. That afternoon he played his first senior game, alongside his brother, Lucas, for the Lower Plenty Football Club. It would also be his last.
For Brown to mention the words “king hit,” especially in the climate we’re living in, it’s totally irresponsible. It’s heartless. It’s clueless. It’s wrong!
There is nothing “king-like” about knocking someone out. White line fever doesn’t excuse intentional brutality.
Jonathan Brown is the one who should be apologising now. Where’s his muzzle?
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