Before I start out…I do not support Collingwood and I don’t hate St Kilda. Justin Koschitzke should be banned for two months. There it is, out in the open.
He should be made an example of, and be the ground zero for the AFL stamping out thuggery in the great game.
I’m not saying that the AFL is a thuggish game, and nor am I saying that Koschitzke is a thug.
However, from time to time, thuggish acts occur and they need to be punished appropriately.
AFL is a gladiatorial sport. Players push themselves to breaking point, tackle hard, and fight to the death to get their hands on the red pill.
People get hurt in AFL. No one (including this writer) has a problem with that. It is inevitable that players are going to feel pain and get hurt in the fair contest for the ball in a 360 degree high contact sport.
However, nowhere in the rule book or the spirit of the game (and 99% of sport) does it say that a player can deliberately hurt and inflict undue pain to another player. And that is precisely what Justin Koschitzke did to Jamie Elliott.
Kosi is not the first to do this (think Chris Judd last year, Barry Hall, Darren Milburn etc etc), but he should be the last.
Koschitzke pummelled Elliott. He elbowed him in the face for absolutely no other reason than to hurt him and take him out.
They were at least 20 metres of the ball, Elliot had his back to the contest as he was running of the ground. Kosi deliberately took two unnecessary steps to go over and clobber Elliott in the head.
He has played 197 games. He should know so much better than that. Kids watch the game.
That is a completely thuggish act. It doesn’t belong in any sport. It needs to be eliminated.
The AFL should be embarrassed that that act warranted only a three match penalty, the same penalty that countless of other players have been given for unintentional yet reckless behaviour.
This was intentional. It wasn’t reckless. It was malicious.
He should have been offered a two month suspension. The AFL should send the message that thuggery won’t be tolerated and declare that those who engage in these acts should go and get a library card for they won’t be welcome on the pitch for a while.
The game is better than this. Thuggish behaviour should have no place in AFL, or sport in general.
It’s time for the AFL to realise this.
JC
Guest
Brad, your comment "Kozi barely even made contact with him" unfortunately places you in the "borderline insane" or "visually imparied" categories hance any other points you make are invalid. I challenge you to find anyone of sound sight and mind to concur he "barely even made contact". Elliott was knocked off his feet by Kozi's elbow. Whether worthy of 1 week or 10 weeks, it was contact.
Jimbo
Guest
I have 4 kids, and the access to youtube, the internet, greatest hits, etc is astounding, if they see something, they will try and replicate it, things like rag dolling, slinging, elbows to the head, sliding in legs first etc. Kids do not fully understand the implications of their actions, that is why at the top level these practises should be outlawed and the penalties harsh. Everyone ( well most) wants HARD FAIR football, kids need to see it, then they replicate it.
Bayman
Guest
Pope, I'm not sure I fully understand your point - are you suggesting the leg just broke itself?
Pollock
Guest
Your right about the game being won or lost on a wrong decision about a send off. You see that in the NRL where they have the rule yet referees are reluctant to invoke it except in extreme cases. In the Kos case it's not really relevant as the offence was not worthy of a send off. It is more there for blatant clear cut acts.
Brad
Guest
"Kids watch the game" You know someone's struggling to make their case well when they resort to the old "won't somebody please think of the children" line. The suggestion of a two month suspension is hilarious. Kozi barely even made contact with him. And I say this as a long time St Kilda hater.
pope paul v11
Guest
If Lindsay Thomas' slide into Gary Rowan had anything to do with as yet unrealised AFL rules then Lindsay will surpass all other VFL/AFL genii.
Jimbo
Guest
At lower levels of Australian football a soccer type card system is used, never at AFL level, and i agree with it, just as a game could be won and lost on not sending someone off, a game could be won and lost on sending someone off who does not deserve it. Keep the status quo.
Pollock
Guest
If you are serious about stamping out foul play the AFL would introduce a sin bin or send off rule. Imagine being a man down the coaches would go ballistic at any player who got sent off.
Bayman
Guest
.....and which team would you support Hawker? The Franklin incident (there were a couple, by the way) highlights a difficult problem for the AFL given the way they react to some other incidents. Franklin's 'attack' on Otten was not an accident - he went high, deliberately, and he went with some vigour. The intention was to hurt Otten and make him think about the next time. It amazes me that the AFL wets himself over incidental contact to the head (e.g. Buddy cleaning up Ben Cousins a few years ago based largely on the height differential) but blithely ignore vigourous arms around the neck region.which can also cause significant damage. I got cleaned up in this fashion forty years ago and I still have problems with my neck. On balance. I'd much prefer a hit on the head because every time I got one of those I was back playing the next week without ongoing problems (yes, I know there is concern today about the effects of concussion but most clips to the head do not involve concussion - though the AFL still wets itself). I doubt the AFL, or the umpires, actually have much of a clue as to what is actually dangerous on a football field - but they do know about political correctness and they know they won't be criticised about their reaction to head hits. They try hard, occasionally. This is the same AFL which happily allowed Lindsay Thomas to break a guy's leg, and give another a knee reconstruction, before realising that sliding in was dangerous, introducing a new rule, to promptly interpret it so poorly that one almost wishes they had not bothered. Still, I suppose they tried. I don't think any of us are ever going to get much satisfaction from what the AFL does. They either under-react, or over-react, but they very rarely get it right. As for Kosi he did what he did deliberately and with absolute intention. Elliott was running away from the play so he was not trying to "block" him - more like trying to "de-block" him. Let's face it, Kosi cannot play. He's been a liability for the Saints for the last several years - I can't remember his last good game - but age and injury have made him an embarrassment. This incident just proves it. However, I'm a softy at heart. I'd like the Saints to get him to 200 games (hopefully, one of them against my team) then piss him off (which I'm sure will happen at season's end).
jess
Guest
Hey Hawker Not disputing it was a stupid decision by Fyfe to challenge, should have just taken the one, but i agree with Nick in that there is a big difference in a) the impact force b) the intent and c) the damage it caused to the opposition player, with Kosi's hit vastly higher in all three categories, for only what is essentially an extra week on the sidelines.
Nick
Roar Guru
I agree. Fyfe's initial was for two weeks, while Kosi got three initially. Its pathetic that they allow such a vast increase in violence to correspond with only a one week increase.
Hawker
Guest
Fyfe challenged and lost. Should've taken 1 against GC and been back for pies this week, no-brainer really. Kosi is 3 down to 2 with discount for accepting,
jess
Guest
How does an act like this constitute two weeks when the seemingly minor act of Fyfe pushing a player off him with his foot (lets be serious, its not your typical "kick" much more of a push) also gets two weeks. Either Kosi got off lightly or Fyfe got a severe penalty because i dont even class these two as being in the same ocean let alone the same boat
Avon River
Guest
Agreed....re Boomer by comparison.
Nick
Roar Guru
I've never accused the game of being dirty either. I agree that the game is as clean as ever. Nevertheless, thuggish acts still occur and will continue to occur while soft punishments are the standard.
Nick
Roar Guru
Thats rubbish. Kosi has played 197 games. You only check people when you are reasonably close to the ball.
Hawker
Guest
Give me a break it shouldn't have been 50 as it was in the marking contest, free kick and thats it.
checkside
Guest
Lance Franklin is the one to watch himself at the moment. We all know what a great footballer he is however the frustration displayed because he isnt kicking a bag of goals each week will surely book Franklin a holiday soon. The MRP statement refering the incident with Otten last Saturday was rubbish. Franklin is a big unit and had him around the neck when he took him to the ground - it was intentional - he wanted to rip his head off or break Ottens neck. I thought Koschitzke should have got two matches without doubt. Franklin was very lucky he didnt get four.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Sorry Boomer, I meant Brent Harvey.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Poor old Kosi's never been the same since he nearly had his block knocked off. It was a pretty callous act but not particularly effective. Not sure what his history is and all that carry over stuff. On the face of it 3 weeks? I'm still baffled by Brett Harvey's 5 week suspension at the end of last year.