- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
In the opinion of many, Essendon’s Matthew Lloyd copped his right whack – four weeks for a head-high bump on Hawthorn’s Brad Sewell.
In an era where the head is sacrosanct, Lloyd was always in trouble. But the ensuing response to Lloyd’s hit on Sewell from the Hawthorn camp, after the game, smacked of double-standards.
Hawks’ defender Campbell Brown labelled Lloyd a “sniper” after the game on MMM radio, while his coach, Alistair Clarkson, launched a tirade of abuse at three Bombers on the ground after the siren, including Lloyd.
Clarkson is nothing if not passionate about his football club, but how often can he step out of line?
To have to be restrained after a football game you have lost is embarrassing. It’s not the first time he has behaved inappropriately, either.
Clarkson tried to explain his actions last Monday, saying that he can be a bit of “peanut” sometimes.
Anyone who watched the infamous ”Battle Of Britain” contest – between Carlton and North Melbourne – 22 years ago saw Clarkson “king-hit” Carlton’s Ian Aitken from behind.
Clarkson, obviously, has a short memory. That act was far worse than Lloyd’s – by any measure.
The Lloyd incident included the ball, there was no sniping and Lloyd went front on at the ball. If you watch the vision closely, Sewell swoops on the ball late and, the fact is, Lloyd was a reasonable chance of gathering the pill.
Simply, it was an accident. Again, however, he had to be suspended under today’s rules.
There was no malice involved, no elbow was raised and Lloyd’s eyes were on the football.
The Hawks were lauded by many for their brand of “unsociable football” last year but, in the aftermath of Saturday’s loss, they have been big losers – on and off the field.
They are the first premiership team to miss the finals in the following season since Adelaide in 1999.
Brown, like his coach, also has a short memory. In 2005, he made a bee-line for an already concussed Jason Winderlich, and was suspended for four matches.
Brown was embarrassed by the incident (as he should have been). But, clearly, he seems to have wiped that act from his mind.
The Hawthorn defender’s Father, Mal, was also more renowned for his work with his fists than his ability with the football – so much so that he played just 14 league games.
What all this does show is how emotions can spill over and, as a result, poor decisions and ill-informed comments can be made.
Campbell Brown should regret what he said. His empty threats mean nothing when his team is absent from September.
Hawthorn was humble in victory last season. But it has displayed an inability to be gracious in defeat.
We all sympathise with Sewell, who sustained a depressed fracture to the cheek bone. He is a ball player, and a wonderful player, but it was an unfortunate incident.
A number of the Bomber players made an effort to check on Sewell’s welfare after the match. It was, simply, the best thing they could do in the circumstances.
Following this, Clarkson made a fool of himself on the field and had to be restrained.
Then Brown carried himself with anything but class in an interview on national radio.
It was also puzzling, as Brown said the bump that Lance Franklin put on Ben Cousins the week before was of a similar nature to Lloyd’s.
When asked if Franklin had acted as a sniper in his hit on Cousins, Brown refused to comment.
It’s because he had been cornered with nowhere to go, such was the muddled state of his mine. There were a clear set of double standards on show. Simply, he made a goose of himself.
Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton responded with the following concerns (in bold):
The attack on the character and integrity of Matthew Lloyd: Brown (not the angel himself) labelled Lloyd a “sniper.” It was a comment of little substance because, in reality, Lloyd has been a ball player his entire career – and his record proves that.
The veiled threats made: Brown stated that he would like Lloyd to play on next year (for sake of retribution). What action will Brown take next year, if Lloyd does go on, that he could not have taken during the second-half on Saturday?
Comments that are prejudicial to a potential tribunal hearing: After going through the Lance Franklin saga the week before, the Hawks should have known better.
The appalling set of double standards on display by Campbell Brown: The emotional defender will think more carefully about what he says in future.
Hawthorn’s conduct after the game was, in a word, disgraceful.
Hopefully, the club learns from it and puts more energy into rising back up the ladder next season.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.