There are a lot of terms in AFL land that are overused or incorrectly used by just about everyone in the sport.
I am sure you’re all thinking “yes, mainly by the media” – but I think we can all be guilty of it from time to time.
After one standout performance, a player becomes a ‘gun’; a string of five and they are the next ‘superstar’ of the game.
A club is in ‘strife’ after one bad game, ‘crisis’ after ten. Don’t even get me started on “Why *insert club name here* can win the premiership”.
But the one phrase that baffles me the most is the ‘honourable loss’.
What I struggle with most is that I actually don’t know what a honourable loss is. Every person has his or her own definition of the term that when it is thrown around, we all perceive one performance differently.
Let’s start with what we do agree on.
There is such a thing as honourable losses. I took it to twitter and this is what you said:
But what we can’t agree on is what it actually means.
I can’t agree or disagree with any of the 170 people who voted because each interpretation would be different.
The general understanding of a honourable loss is a side that plays its absolute best but still can’t walk away with the four points.
Fair assessment, but in a competition where it’s about winning games… what is honourable about losing?
Rather than slapping the term across every second encouraging performance from a bottom four side, we need to expand our vocabulary and start labelling things as we see them (this could be applied to a lot of overused words in the AFL dictionary).
Do I think a side can play an absolutely sensational game but not walk away with the four points? Absolutely. That right there is what creates some of the greatest matches in the history of the game.
And there are teams who struggle for a long time so signs of improvement in the form of a great contest and narrow loss can be encouraging.
While I think it’s something that can give supporters hope, I don’t think they should be satisfied or settle for that as a benchmark for what their team can achieve.
Once that becomes the mentality, supporters stop striving for greatness and settling for mediocrity. Honourable losses don’t equal victories. It’s as simple as that.
The 2016 preliminary final between GWS and the Dogs is the ultimate example of where the interpretation of the term can go wrong.
Now, I know that context is everything and had this game been played during the home and away season, it could be viewed differently… but it wasn’y. So here we are.
It was one of the best games ever played – the Dogs go on to the grand final and the Giants don’t. Both teams played to the best of their ability and while the praise is high, the loser walks away empty handed.
(AAP Image/Craig Golding)
The 2014 preliminary final between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide is a similar story. There’s no consolation prize for either of the losing sides.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s not to say supporters shouldn’t be proud of their side for a superb performance but if a side wins five games for the year and chalks up three honourable losses they don’t magically win eight games for the year. They’ve won five and unlucky to miss a few others.
I do believe there are exceptions to the rule – I just don’t think they come very often.
Essendon in 2016 is the one that sticks out in my mind.
We could sit here all day and discuss the politics of the drug saga but that doesn’t change the season that was.
Supporters turned up week-in-week-out and while the results weren’t always there, the effort and heart was. At times a defeated Bombers outfit would walk from the ground to a standing ovation by adoring fans.
At times they gave great performances that made fans so proud they left the ground elated, feeling like winners. That’s honourable.
Of course, the team went on to win three games that season and despite finishing 18th, were equal points with Brisbane and 0.6 per cent away from 17th spot on the ladder.
But that year wasn’t about winning, it couldn’t have been. It was about pride and showing supporters they’d do whatever it takes to give them hope on field for the future.
That’s what made more than three of their performances honourable and why it is the exception to the rule.
The other exception to the rule is honourable performances in a losing side… It’s not quite the same but I think that’s what we should focus on.
There are so many extremely talented players across all 18 sides of the competition that we are lucky to watch week in and week out.
Yes, footy is a team sport but having one or two shining lights in a team that is failing to fire can give supporters something to smile about.
Gary Ablett and Patrick Cripps are the two players that stand out in my mind (over the last 3-5 years or so anyway).
Gary Ablett, while he was at the Suns of course, won a Brownlow in 2013 when the Suns finished 14th. And they have spent their entirety floating between 12th and 18th on the ladder.
Yes, he has returned to Geelong to be with his family (and understandably so) but while he was up north he gave the Gold Coast his all. He gave Suns supporters joy in what has otherwise been a pretty ordinary existence.
Cripps is another genuine star of the game and while not quite on Ablett’s level, will leave a legacy on both the game and Carlton FC for decades after him.
The newly appointed co-captain has already won two best-and-fairests, is an All Australian and is widely praised amongst the league’s supporters, media and clubs alike.
He has, without a doubt, rid Carlton supporters of some blues during the last (incredibly disappointing) four or so years.
There are individuals who can shine in a losing side; there are even sides who can put in one hell of a performance and walk away empty-handed but let’s label those things for what they are and not substitute them for an ‘honourable loss’.
A strong club culture is built on winning and striving for success and not settling for whatever result you can get.
Always stick by your club and be proud when they put in a stellar performance – but stick to celebrating a win when it’s your club’s song starts playing post game.
Michael44
Guest
That is good to hear Peter.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I know plenty of Tiger fans like you Michael it’s just the squeakiest wheel that makes the noise.
Michael44
Guest
As a Richmond fan, I just shake my head after reading the Duckworth-Lewis comment. I just start to cringe when I see comments like this. Duckwort, Tibbynabor (big four sticks) or wotever his name is, and The Ghost. I'm hoping they are not real people. I don't want to be associated with such rubbish. I have this urge to let everyone know that not all Richmond fans are like that. But, they might not believe me, but, I'll say it again - Not all Richmond fans are you-know-wots. There, I feel a little bit better now.
IAP
Guest
The biggest loss I've been involved in was about 10 goals; I played for a strong club. But I've been part of some absolute thrashings; 30 goals+. There's no doubt that players give up; not pushing to the next contest, not shepherding, not trying as hard as they could. I've done it, everyone's done. Particularly against teams that we flogged it was like a training drill; no pressure at all, no-one chasing etc etc. Ask yourself, did you walk off the field each and every game feeling comfortable that you'd given absolutely everything? I certainly didn't.
Lroy
Guest
Intrigued by your comment as it seems to be a bit of a mantra.... but one question I have is this; 'when you were playing footy... did you ever give just up??? Ever?? Even when you were 20 goals down at 3/4 time, did you ever just throw in the towel and not give your best??'' Ive been on both sides of the leger and never recall anyone on my team or the other who did that. Lets face it, not trying is probably as bad as match fixing, it is the absolute worst thing you can do on a footy field. I never gave up, and I don't think anyone I played with or against ever did either, its just such a dishonorable thing to do. So I don't actually buy into that whole argument that players don't try. Ive seen it with my own eyes in other sports, American Baseball for example... I can cite a Blue Jays players disgraceful performance on a number of occasions. He was a Cuban guy not happy with a new contract he had been offered. They offered him a record amount at the time and he still complained it wasn't enough...he took the field and clearly did not try in a number of games back in the 1995 season. Kyrigios (the tennis player) clearly hasn't tried at times... but I think footy, AFL, Rugby League and Union are different...Footy is a team game and your mates would not tolerate it if you just threw in the towel... Most players are guys you went to school with (at amateur level anyway) they have known you most of your life... I I cant imagine looking them in the eye if I knew I had deliberately not given my best. Besides, I am a Sandgroper and we don't engage in those kind of eastern seaboard shenanigans...…. ;-)
Lroy
Guest
''At Richmond we only accept winning. Losing is simply not good enough'' Sorry bruh, but someone has to say it... 'when exactly did you adopt this winning mantra, cos when it came to losing, you guys seemed to be ok with it .. 37 years in fact'' ha ha
Lroy
Guest
Interesting article. I think the fans don't buy into the Honourable loss story... most fans of struggling clubs know exactly why they are struggling. But I do think the media and AFL do. For example, if GG get pumped by triple digits this year and then only lose by 30 the next week, the media will be trotting that one out for sure.. Footy is a zero sum game... you get the 4 points or you dont, everything else is nonsense.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
IAP, someone needs to post your comment for Nick Kyrgios.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Bottom 3, Bluebagger, and rightfully so ! (bring back Josh Kennedy and Eddie Betts lol )
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Spot on Rob - the boy did nothing for the club but plenty for himself ! He's getting his just desserts now and if he plays on for much longer people will soon forget how great a player he once was !
IAP
Guest
If your blokes went out there and tried their guts out all day but the other team were simply better, that's an honourable loss. Dropping their heads, blaming each other, not trying, saying that you could have beaten them but didn't play as well as you could etc, are not honourable things to do and those losses aren't honourable. Of course there's such thing as an honourable loss.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
That's an optimistic view from a JLT game on a suburban ground bluebagger but good luck to you. The Pies and the Blues were both missing a few. De Goey, Stephenson, Hoskin-Elliott, Adams and Sier were missing from our GF side. Howe played one half. Dunn and Scharenberg to come back later too.
TomC
Roar Guru
I don't really agree with the thrust of the article; I think supporters can make their own decisions what to take honour or solace from, and viva la difference. I find it faintly absurd that the one example the writer can think of where 'honourable' losses occurred is the club penalised for the widespread taking of illegal substances. Apart from the moral aspect of it, why that would be more honourable than clubs missing players through injury, or expansion teams fighting for relevance against powerful, established rivals, is not clear to me.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Would rather make grand finals and lose Floyd then be a spectator. Life isn't a spectator sport. The Pies history shows they had a number of workman like sides who extract everything they have to make grand finals, often falling short against sides with genuine class. The Tigers went 35 years without being in a grand final. That is a long time. You've got a great side now with some quality footballers and classy people involved and are my pick for premiers in 2019. Enjoy it, but comments like Duckworth above deserve to be called out for what they are. I'd rather make the next 5 grand finals and lose them all than sit back and watch other sides make it or like some teams, spend your time from round 14 focussing on draft picks.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Yes of course, Peter. But I was born in the sixties, like you, I’m guessing. Since then Richmond has still got a better strike rate come Grand Final day than Collingwood. When you guys make that day, (and they’ve done it many times) you just know they’re going down more often than not. It’s in their DNA. I’m guessing they’ve won two in your lifetime.
Bluebagger
Guest
Putting it out there, I know it's early. But on today's performance Carlton fans need to get really excited. Finals at least and with some luck maybe that elusive 17th flag is finally, at last, coming home to where it belongs.
Downsey
Roar Pro
Yeah, fair points. Absolutely can't wait for Saturday. It's going to be an exciting match!
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
I reckon the writer is over-thinking the whole thing (or not thinking at all) when calling for a ban on “honourable losses”. I’m not sure how many seasons or matches she’s witnessed, but let’s just say for example, your team, languishing near the bottom of the ladder for 16 rounds, & faced with the grim prospect of being percentage-boosting fodder for the ladder leader, actually puts up a fight & goes down by less than a goal. It may not be a win, but it’s hope for the future, & most definitely “honourable”. Always has been, always will be.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yeah except you seemed to forget about winning for 37 years.
Raimond
Roar Guru
At Richmond we only accept winning. I'm genuinely laughing at this; possibly the funniest sentence ever written here.