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.
Stephen
Guest
I'm sure Triple M were pretty quick to get to Brown and let him push the "Self Destruct Button". The team managers were obviously too busy pinning Clarkson to the ground to get Campbell away from the microphone! His comments were stupid and instantly forgettable, until coupled with Clarkson's (more serious) outburst. I suppose that is the thing that I take umbrage at the most - they are two pretty ordinary, but pretty forgettable incidents (Clarkson's less so) that are being beaten up out of proportion. Media cronies such as Caroline Wilson are then adding Uncle Jeff's comments into the mix and portraying the Hawks as a team on the verge of meltdown! As for recurrent calls of hypocrisy from the Hawks, both Lloyd's and Buddy's bumps are worlds apart, and Kennett's comments are dealing with issues bigger than individual suspensions. Clarkson comments are pretty poor, seeing as they come from the coach. Yet I reckon those words and others like them are pretty much screamed across football fields every Saturday, with not much of a ripple in the media's interest. When it happens to the under performing premiers, its feeding frenzy time! Not an excuse though - I am not justifying it, and Clarkson got off lightly. I am sure he is not the only coach who has given an opposition player a spray, but it is a stupid act in front of 70000 people and TV cameras. People are ultimately judged by their actions - my own experience of Clarkson was when my then four year old son walked in front of the Hawks coaching staff as they were returning to the coaches box at Aurora Stadium at the end of half time, with the Hawks playing badly and losing to Carlton in a practice match. Clarkson stopped, let my son dawdle in front of him in his own sweet time, smiled at him, ruffled his hair and let us go by, before resuming on his own way! Hardly newsworthy, but as much as indication of Clarkson's character as this more news worthy incident There are always two sides to every coin - some people prefer to see only one, or at least, portray only one!
Luke D'Anello
Guest
Good to see you agreed with most of what I said then, Steven. TripleM requested Brown for an interview I'd say, but the Hawks could have stopped him from speaking, and he could have knocked-back the request. At the end of the day, what he said was wrong, and I'm sure he will acknowledge that now. I can't remember such a personal attack on a single player...don't know if anyone else can??
Redb
Roar Guru
Stephen, You've made some well balanced comments. This is what Clarkson an AFL Coach said to Matt Lloyd after the game: "You had better f------ retire you f------ weak c---." http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,26023279-661,00.html An extraordinary outburt from a 'professional' coach to a player. Redb
Stephen
Guest
'Easy to say from behind a computer, i guess' Meaning your article or my review of it? If it's the former, then yes it is, if its the latter, then don't roar about it? I'm a Hawks supporter and I agree - Campbell Brown's comments after the game were stupid - at least the veiled "We're gonna get you" threat was. Brown had two quarters to get retribution if he so wished - no point talking about it after the siren. Clarkson's outburst was similarly poor - but does anyone know exactly what he said! He may have been making some very valid claims - albeit in a totally inappropriate manner and inappropriate forum. As for the rest of the Hawks - they conducted themselves with great dignity and grace, after a very good game of football. I am just amazed at how everyone has found a soapbox under their bed, dusted it off and waxed sanctimoniously about how everyone at Hawthorn got what they deserved. Is Matthew Lloyd a sniper? Probably not - but he has been reported on quite a few occasions, for similar infringements and charging, by memory, so is no angel when it comes to cleaning players up. One article even referred to him as the 'Velvet Assassin' - acknowledgement of his own misdemeanours. Did he mean to break Sewell's jaw? No! Did he set out clean someone up - obviously! Sewell hadn't even got clean possession of the ball and he has lined him up! Yet people lay a halo at his feet. Did Brown grab a microphone and shout his threats in pure WWF stylee? Or was he asked his opinion of the Lloyd incident by a journalist? Hmmm... I wonder why they chose Brown to ask that question of? Why not Miitchell? Or Hodge? No lets ask the pocket rocket with an obvious bone to pick? The we'll hammer him to the wall for his comments? Stupid comments yes, but little more, and I no doubt suspect he felt very embarrassed the following day!
Luke D'Anello
Guest
Stephen, no cut and paste there, champ. Easy to say from behind a computer, I guess. I haven't read Smith's article either. Clarkson broke Aitken's jaw so he is hardly in a position to be judging morals - his tirade on the field was embarrassing.
Brian
Guest
Nothing left to say so you've gone for the man not the ball. Kind of like Lloyd career at the moment
Redb
Roar Guru
"I can't find the negative." "What about the positive?" "I'm positive about the negative, but a little negative about the positive." "Oh, negative eh?" "No, I'm positive the negative is in the developer." "Your brains need developing!" :-) - Larry, Moe and Curly
Art Sapphire
Guest
Kennett, Clarkson, Brown = The Three Stooges
Stephen
Guest
Pretty ordinary article really. Rehashes of other articles and comments - especially the Ian Aitken incident? Can the author really "remember" the Battle of Britain incident, or can he just remember the article written by Patrick Smith in the The Australian a few days ago. More the latter than the former methinks! It has even inherited the sanctimonious pomposity that oozes from everything Smith pens! A little more thought and originality and a little less cut and paste, and adopting others' moral high ground. The Daily Roar - more like he Daily Snore!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Missing a trip to Adelaide Brian, gee when you sell it like that Redb I don’t feel sorry for the Hawks at all :) Joking of course
BigAl
Guest
Amusing bit of bluster here Kurt ! However my tip for the Hawks in 2010 is they will continue going south . . . deep deep south ! Kennett,; Clarkson; Franklin (mores the pity) & Roughhead (possibly) have all demonstrably lost their mojo ! - and all of that is going to gothru the body of the club like epsom salts!
Redb
Roar Guru
Brian, I'll be at the game in Adelaide watching my team in the finals, you''l be at home bitter about the 2009 season failure. Redb
Brian
Guest
I will have a good laugh on Friday when with Ryder & Lonegran out for basically doing nothing Adealide destroy you. They lost the game because they were two men down and lacking proper conditioning, we've had bad last quarters nearly all year. Thats why we're 9th. Lloyd's hit was well timed in that sense and he should thank Brown for taking attention for what is a most cowardly way to win a game of football.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
You should direct that sort of comment to me and my fellow scraggers.
Redb
Roar Guru
I said comments not a poll, just illustrates there is bit of feeling between Ess and Haw fans at present. I think you might have your demographic confused as well.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Thats not a fair poll Everyone knows most Hawks fans can't afford internet access and read the Herald Sun
ren
Guest
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. you seem to forget about browns WAFL carreer, a sandover medal, three B+F's at East Perth, Captain Coach of 72 EP premiership, coach of '80 souths premiership. pretty handy footballer if you ask me.
Redb
Roar Guru
http://blogs.theage.com.au/realfooty/archives/2009/08/is_lloyd_a_snip.html 990 comments on AGE website, all reaffriming Essendon's dominance over Hawthorn. ;-) Redb
Redb
Roar Guru
Brian, LOL. Loooooong bow to draw to suggest that Essendon's reaction had anything to do with Lloyd's suspension. Perhaps Campbell brown leap frogging over the prostrate Sewell decked on the ground and starting a fight might have drawn more attention to the incident?? But no they acted like a bunch of sooks and then lost the game. Brown's manhood confirmed when he slapped Monfries on the shoulder when he came back onto the ground. Do you get Dreamteam points for a slap? :-) Redb
Michael C
Guest
I thought the worst thing was that with Sewell on the ground and in trouble, not one of his teammates made for him to check on him - instead, they were all in picking a fight. however, at games end, the Hawks shook hands with Lloyd, who went over to check on Sewell. It's the supposed 'leaders' who have disgraced themselves by opening their mouths, and just reinforces why the AFL has in place a system designed to discourage such emotive outbursts that really, really don't do anyone any good.