The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

Magpies get personal in defence of Fraser

Roar Guru
29th April, 2009
0

Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh has accused Grant Thomas of getting too “personal” in his criticism of Magpie ruckman Josh Fraser.

“Talking about players dogging it, Grant might be eminently qualified,” Walsh said in the Herald Sun.

“Certainly to stoop to the realm of personal attacks, I don’t think it is befitting the game and certainly not befitting any commentator.”

But is it befitting of a football manager to engage in personal attacks?

Walsh obviously thinks so.

Collingwood, however, has far too many concerns to be worried about someone’s opinion.

Thomas, as a commentator, is paid to give his view. Why are we so sensitive to criticism?

The Magpies have had an eventful season, even before the weekend’s events. But Saturday’s loss marked the lowest point of their season so far.

Advertisement

And coach Mick Malthouse will be hoping it is all uphill from here because, if it is not, his stint at Collingwood may well be over.

At their best, the Magpies are a clear top-eight team, maybe even top-four.

But, losing to an Essendon side, minus Mark McVeigh, Andrew Welsh and Hayden Skipworth, is a huge concern – especially after leading by fourteen points with five minutes to go.

Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas were also both held goalless and David Hille suffered a season-ending knee injury two minutes into the contest.

This brings us back to Fraser.

With Hille off the ground, the experienced Fraser should have been salivating at the prospect of taking on the inexperienced Paddy Ryder.

Instead, it was the 90kg Ryder who stole the show

Advertisement

In my view, for a number one draft selection (1999), Fraser has underachieved. With the tag of the top pick comes expectation.

Fraser teases his supporters in four or five games each year – and that is where the frustration grows.

You may argue he is a victim of the standards he has shown in some matches. Instead, his team becomes a victim of his inconsistency – just like on the weekend.

Whether Fraser jumped out the way in the first centre bounce of the match – as Thomas said – or not, the fact remains that, as a leader, he will not get a better opportunity to impose himself on a contest.

The stage was set – Anzac Day, with Hille gone for the match – but Fraser wasn’t to be seen.

It will be interesting to see how he responds against North Melbourne, and Hamish McIntosh, on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Collingwood’s football manager should be advised on the meaning of the term “pot calling the kettle black.”

Advertisement

His club has other, more important, matters to attend to.

close