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After just two rounds of the AFL season, already we have seen two exciting games ending in a draw. Last Sunday, Melbourne and Sydney served up the years’ first drawn game with an 84-all thriller at the MCG.
On Friday night last years runner-up St. Kilda played expected bottom four side Richmond which after a lead changing final term the game ended at 95-all.
While both games were obviously high in the excitement stakes, the other notable similarity was the players’ reactions at the final siren.
Players dropping to their knees, standing with hands on their hips, falling down to lay on their backs, the look of despair on their faces. These are the all too common reactions players like to demonstrate when the scores are even at full time.
For reasons unknown, a draw seems to bring out the most baffling reactions from players, some even more dramatic than when they actually lose a game.
A draw is not a new concept, uncommon as they may be, so the shock factor can’t be the reason.
Players no doubt would lament incidences during the game such as a missed shot at goal, a turnover, or a dropped mark. Particularly if a game had been lost, these missed opportunities and errors must frustrate players to the point they continuously ask themselves ‘what if?’.
But in a drawn game, there are no losers, so why do players from both sides react like they have gained nothing from the contest?
During the regular season points mean everything. A spot in the final eight is all that matters. Gaining four points from a win goes along way to ensuring you’re there in September, but two points does no harm either.
While every other losing team quite rightly leaves the ground devastated they have no points to add, it is baffling that two points gained from a draw is treated like a failure.
After Friday night’s match, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said the game felt like a loss. This is an all too familiar line heard many times before and likely to be heard again. The day a coach or player comes out and treats a draw for what it is will be refreshing.
In a draw, neither side was good enough to win, but it also means neither side deserved to lose.
Sharing two points each is a fitting reward, and the players should see no shame in this.
Sure winning is everything, but a draw certainly beats losing.
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