That was the type of noise I heard on the day I wandered over to Olympic Park for Melbourne Storm’s first ever home game in 1998; an intrigued observer only, but aware of the disloyalty being shown to my childhood football code.
The slap and thud of wingers colliding on the near edge was what first drew my attention.
But then from the middle came another sound – deeper and more complex, brought to me by the south-westerlies that are allowed free entry into that open-ended stadium: the noise of two props colliding at speed.
It was the sound of a carcass being reduced to bonemeal.
For me it was a turning point. The game I had previously seen only occasionally on television and dismissed as too ground-based, congested and low-scoring had become something more exhilarating.
It was like boxing because there was nowhere to hide. Players couldn’t pass the ball fifty metres backwards when they didn’t like what they saw in front of them.
There was the option to offload but more often than not they took a brutal hit to retain possession.
They become a legitimate target for impact.
Boxing, of course, is at a higher, awful level. It is fighting, with gloves – the same thing thugs who hate each other do on the streets but with knuckledusters.
The head, deemed sacrosanct in all other mainstream contact sports, is the prized target.
Ali’s scorching hit on Foreman brought cries of expectation and then a hush from the crowd, as people struggled with contradictory impulses: exhilaration at the spectacle of condoned violence, reverence for the talent of Ali, and concern for Foreman.
For some, there was also the guilt of being there – complicit in the brutality.
Fuifui Moimoi’s massive frontal assault on Brett White in the 2009 grand final drew varied responses.
From caller Ray Warren, it was disbelief: “I can’t believe he got up!” Phil Gould, a renowned lover of big hits, yelled out with glee: “Ah yes! Yes, yes… yes yes yes Mr Moimoi! Get that into you!”
All while White’s partner watched in horror as her beloved’s head rocked back and his eyeballs disappeared from view. I couldn’t believe he got up either, or held onto the ball as it bobbed in the hands while his brain realigned itself.
That was the compelling but troubling highlight for me. The ability to continue the task while the brain was traumatised.
Earlier in the same game, Dallas Johnson (not for the first time) was concussed, when he fell into a another tackle by the rampaging Moimoi, copping the swinging Popyeye-ish forearm on the jaw.
Johnson didn’t move immediately after Moimoi, and second tackler Todd Lowrie had extricated themselves.
Then, with unnatural instinct, (the natural one was to stay down) he slowly got to his feet and methodically and correctly played the ball.
Only when this was done, did the effects of a temporarily damaged brain take hold and Johnson stumbled sideways.
Sometime later, Peter Sterling commented: “The trainers are signalling to the sideline that Johnson’s no good.” They
wanted him to come off. He didn’t.
These big men are built like the massive metal cars of the 1950s that were near indestructible on the outside in a
collision, but destroyed anything inside.
Post-mortem studies in the United States of the brains of ex-NFL players are now revealing the extent of the damage that goes on inside.
The crowd naturally feels protective of the children playing the game at half-time. They shouldn’t. Their young bodies are built for impact.
Like the cars of their era, they are flexible, absorbing and then repelling the shock.
Our sympathies should lie with the halves, the little men who draw traffic from props looking for an easy way through.
Boxing weight divisions, in increments of two to three kilograms, are enforced to avoid giving fighters free rein to annihilate lighter ones.
So you can appreciate the toll that is taken when a league halfback is hit by a mass 20kgs heavier than his own.
Followers of other sports probably dismiss league as mindless and brutal. But even with the truly brutal sports like bullfighting and boxing, there is intelligence and artistry too.
There are magicians like Marshall, Thurston, Inglis, Slater and Hayne whose artistry is illuminated by the suffering going on around them.
I still follow Aussie Rules, the game I played and grew up with, but when given the choice of watching that or the “stupid brutal business” of rugby league, I choose the latter.
Jaceman
Guest
Rugby Union and AFL are similar in that you have to do something with the ball - unlike League you cant take the tackle and start again. NRL is tougher no doubt because in most cases you cant get possession at the tackle but your only option is to hit hard whereas the other codes are looking to get the ball. RU and AFL are harsher on high tackles and you cant shoulder charge in RU so they are trying to make it safer. The AFL has strict rules on players leaving the field after concussion when the 2 rugby codes seem to be less concerned. Then again you have nowhere to hide if you are in the RU scrum and if its your turn to go at a marking contest in the AFL you cant squib it - different kinds of toughness. I just fear the damage being done to some NRL players who will end up punchdrunk in 30 years time...
David Heidelberg
Guest
When I was younger I attended a clinic that had Mal Meninga as the special guest. I just stared at the way his thighs were bigger than my waist, and could not imagine anyone tackling him.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Andrew - a great article. Based on Andrew and Pike64's feedback surely when it comes to the new broadcast deal it's more important for the NRL to negotiate live league in Melbourne, etc than how many zeroes are on the contract. I think there's been too much focus on whether it cracks the billion or beats afl's deal. Melbourne came into the comp and we're talking about Perth or Adelaide now because of the extra markets it creates for TV but what sort of market is the NRL and broadcasters creating if they're only showing games at midnight ? We'll stay up for Wimbledon or the Tour de France but who's staying up past 2am to watch Melbourne v Rabbitohs? I really don't understand how having midnight games in melbourne adds any value to a TV deal. Really it needs to be prime time in Melbourne, etc or don't even bother having a team there at all.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Yeah, the head impacts are no joke. I always get frustrated when watching seeing umpires in ARF paying what looks like soft frees for head contact but it doesn't pay to mess around with it. The hit Beau Waters took from Chris Mayne yesterday in WC v Freo derby was nauseating, though it was good to see him get back up. I don't watch that much RL/RU (two SOOs, couple Bunnies games, Wallabies v SA, this year) but always freaks me out when I see the head-high contact and grabbing going on. And motor/bike racing is of a surety more dangerous. Anyone else see that special on the Isle of Man races? Christ that thing has a body count.
db swannie
Guest
I lived next door to an A grader in the Toowoomba comp about 15 yrs ago & he told me that the only motivation he needed each week was the thought of getting dropped to reserve grade. He said reserve grade was far tougher on the body,not as quick ,not as skillful as A grade,but far tougher. He said the Reggies was made up of young up & comers trying to impress with big big hits,& the older never to make it to the top grade blokes ,who loved nothing more than smashing an A grader.
Johnno
Guest
Well Karlos i actually think subbies football is more dangerous than pro contact sports football. becoz the players are less skilled and less sports specific conditioned but still have the fire in the belly and the adrenilan and courage to make the big hits. And becoz there usually not playing for big money, or none at all, and no video survaliiance judijaries and a much lower standard of refs I almost think amatuer footy becomes more dangerous than pro. Jason Ackermanis a month ago was complaining about the cheap shots in a subbies match he played in as he had been used to playing in a AFL pro environment with heavy referiing and judiciaries, and wendall Sailor used to say when he was a wallaby how he used to dread club rugby as he feared a opposing player or players would gang up on him and give him cheap shots , and he would cop a serious injury. I watched some of Mark Geyers highlights recently when he was playing, and he had a stint of bush footy and boy they were tough men MG copped some big hits all over the body, face, back neck, sternum, abdominal area, MG copped big hits everywhere. So bush footy or city amatuer subbies is a very brutal sports environment, anyone who has been part of that scene will tell you that.
karlos
Guest
Doesn't matter how far down the grades you go you wil still see bit hits and loads of courage. When I lived in Newcastle and finished playing I would rather go down the local park and watch my beloved Westy Magpies play than go into Newcastle to watch The Knights even though I was/am a big Knights follower.You would see some crazy death defying stuff that would just blow your mind and heaps of characters. I watch the local comp here in WAnow and there is plenty of fire out there dont worry.
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
oikee, I remember a Channel 9 commentator watching Danny Williams say something like: "I don't think Williams realises you only get one body".
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
bilbo, the fact they're not getting paid makes it even more amazing.
oikee
Guest
:) Bilbo, the best game i have ever seen was standing on the touchline at a senior game in Texas oz, the hits were frightening and the hissing and grunting in the tackles is just amazing. Mind you i played the game myself, but as they get bigger and uglier, the hits and tackles seem tenfold. Just on a side note, i think Russell Packer has the biggest legs i have ever seen. Just seen him today on fox in the dressing room, holey crapoller, his legs are enormous.
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Johnno, They're now realising many retired NFL players are suffering chronic traumatic encephalopathy , a degenerative disease similar to dementia eg depression, memory loss, aggression etc. Up to recently NFL was more dangerous b/c players would use their heads in a tackle thinking the helmet protected them. Sadly & ironically it's Ali who is suffering from Parkinsons - some say a result of boxing too long; and using the technique of leaning back on the ropes & taking punches. The effects on NRL players are not really known as players are out of the limelight but I bet their families have some stories. Was Wally Lewis' epilepsy caused by multiple concussions? The force of the collisions (as well the ability of some players to avoid them) though is what makes it such a great game.
bilbo
Guest
I encourage anyone who hasnt been, to go to your local league competition and watch the A-Grade. Whether in NSW, Qld or Vic, the quality and the toughness required is amazing. When theres only a few hundred people watching, you can hear the sounds as they crash into each other, with no concern for self preservation.
pike64
Guest
Great article. although i follow many sports, AFL was my game. i converted from AFL to Rugby League when i saw my first Storm game in Melbourne back in '98 and basically for the same reasons that the writer, Andrew Sutherland did. what appealed to me were the lack of soft options for the players. is there anything more courageous than watching a fullback sitting under a high ball, knowing he has to catch it (and not drop it or just punch it away) and knowing that a couple of front rowers are about to drive him into the turf as soon as he grabs it???? as a side topic, it is one of the main reasons why the NRL need to get primetime exposure in Melbourne. there are many more people like me who no longer believe the bull...t coming from the AFL and realise that it is more about marketing an ugly game by pretending it is culturally important to the Australian psyche, who just need to be exposed to other sports. if the Storm had not arrived in Melbourne, i would probably still be an AFL fan, as there was never any Rugby League shown in Melbourne.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Oikee, It was Leon Walker in 2009. The inquest was inconclusive. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/mar/27/leon-walker-wakefield-rugby-league Im split over compulsory headgear in league - I'd probably be OK with it if they made head-first charges a penalty for improper use of head (ducking into tackles should be sin-binnable). At the end of the day, League will have to do it, as providing a safe workplace for your employees now isnt just good business, it's the law.
oikee
Guest
Yes Joel was a player who had a bad head clash in Brisbane a couple of years ago. Knocked him senseless. He is now in super league plying his trade.
oikee
Guest
The accidental head clashes are the worst form of impact. Your brain suddenly being jolted and coming to a sudden stop. Only happens now and then and is a unwelcome site. The impacts the players normally brace for, or at least know they are coming. Motor and bike racing is probably as dangerous if not more, boxing maybe more dangerous. Over the years they have become alot safer, same as rugby league, it was not uncommon in the old days for players to be hit by a clothsline tackle never to be able to play the game again. Niow the head is out of bounds in most tackles, even grabbing around the head is penalised these days. I am not sure but i think it is compulsary for kids to wear headgear now. Senior players have the option. Just on your other point, i think a league player died on the field recently in super league, not sure if it was a heart attack.
jmo
Guest
Good read. The one that stands out for me was Sonny Bill Williams big hit on Joel Clinton a few years back. It was like the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object. in slow motion it looks like a shock wave was created by the impact.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4a5T0bDcjE
Johnno
Guest
It still amazes me that at pro level no one has died in AFL, rugby League or Rugby union on the field. Amatuer not so much as they are not as well conditioned, and there have been deaths over the years. I can not confirm what grade the adult man in Brisbane who died last weekend was what grade of rugby he was playing , . But still in pro sports despite being fitter, and generally often playing more to the rules becoz of judiciaries, and playing for money they don't want to be supended or lose contracts it still amazes me no one has died on the field. but later in life as we are seeing in the NFL lots of brain problems after. There have been some shocking arial collisions in the last few years in the AFL. Very sickening indeed, and a few in rugby league and union under the high ball or leaping for the high ball to.