On a Saturday afternoon at the MCG in August 2009, a young Bombers outfit and the hungover Hawks played off for the final spot in the final eight.
The Bombers were down by 4 goals at the half and Matthew Lloyd in an effort to inspire his young teammates or inject himself into a game that he had little impact on, made a choice.
Lloyd ran off the centre square at the third quarter bounce and ironed out Brad Sewell as picked up the footy. His intent was clear, but he was unlucky that Sewell had lowered himself and moved sideways meaning Lloyd collected him in the face, rather than the shoulder.
Wild melees commenced as Campbell Brown and Luke Hodge, both regarded as tough brave players for the Hawks, remonstrated with Lloyd.
Regardless of what you think about Lloyd as a player or the hit, it was effective.
The Bombers would kick 11 goals to 5 in the second half and go on to play in their first finals under Matthew Knights. Brad Sewell’s cheekbone was fractured and Lloyd would never play another game.
Campbell Brown after being involved in the melee, gestured at the Bombers officials and interchange players on the bench while being taken off. The Hawks players were understandably incensed by the hit and lost concentration.
After the match, Luke Hodge who was the first to remonstrate with Lloyd and who had just missed out on playing finals, walked up to him and offered his hand. He let Lloyd know that what happens on the footy field stays on the footy field and regardless, you shake hands after the game. Tough, but fair.
Brown did not share the same sentiments.
After the game, Brown went on radio calling Lloyd out as a “sniper” and warning revenge should he ever play him again. The incident quickly became more about Campbell Browns reaction and threats than the hit itself.
Fast forward to April 2011 and Brown is now a vice captain at the Gold Coast Suns, an on field leader, one of the few hard bodies in the squad and a protector of the many rookies running around alongside him.
Twenty metres behind play as Shaun Higgins walked back to line up for goal, Brown elbowed a young Bulldog in the face. He was knocked down and dazed but escaped any serious injury.
The Dogs remonstrated as the Hawks did, but Brown seemed to avoid any scuffles, back peddling behind the protection of such hard nuts as Seb Tape.
Later on in the game, Brown had an opportunity to go hard, put his head over the footy and take on Barry Hall and show his young teammates an example of tough, brave football. He did not.
Big Baz was the one who put his head over the footy and Brown decided to hip and shoulder his exposed head and neck. He is extremely lucky no damage was done and in the eyes of the match review panel, this was more serious than the elbow to Ward.
In the ensuing days, the following quotes have been given by Brown;
“Whether you call that crossing the line, I’ve done that my whole career.”
“If things happen out there, they’ve happened. I’m not going to stew over them.”
“I don’t think Ive got anything to apologise for. That’s the way it goes.”
When Campbell Brown publicly called out Lloyd, he made his opinion clear. Now, he looks like a hypocritical thug who attempted to knock out youngster behind play.
I can say that Luke Hodge plays tough, hard footy and that I respect him. I can say that Lloyd was unlucky but also made a poor choice but at least stood his ground and copped his punishment.
I can’t say any of that about Brown.
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.
St Kilda forward Jack Higgins has been hit with a three-match suspension for the dangerous tackle that concussed Aliir Aliir in the Saints' loss…
Mark Keane got the shock of his life after this rushed behind. It made little difference to the score as Adelaide won by 57…
Two dropped marks by Josh Rachele last round proved costly late in the game for Adelaide. He took one in the third quarter with…
Fox Footy's Brad Johnson questioned whether Bigoa Nyuon could've got a touch to this Izak Rankine goal if he didn't pull up so early.
Taylor Walker was busy setting up goals for his teammates against North Melbourne. But he didn't need them for this brilliant solo effort.
Luke Davies-Uniacke claimed he got a fist to this one, replays showed something entirely different, leaving the Fox Footy crew chuckling.
