Following an episode of Footy Classified that featured on the screens of Channel Nine on Monday night, host Caroline Wilson posed the question in relation to the mentality of Carlton players chairing off Bryce Gibbs.
Despite Carlton losing the match convincingly, critics jumped at the opportunity to publicly condemn the behaviours of Kade Simpson and Marc Murphy.
The traditionalised nature of the post-match farewell assisted by current teammates was abandoned, and rightfully so.
The heartfelt recognition of a celebrated career was an emotional scene for admirers of the game and received copious amounts of unwarranted backlash.
The symbolism of the weekend’s touching moment proved the spirit of the game is still intact, notwithstanding the efforts of Kane Cornes to disband that core value. He labelled the gesture as lacking the killer instinct on Carlton’s behalf.
Sports journalists failed to recognise the strong mateship evidenced in the off-field encounter by commenting on the apparently ludicrous display of affection.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
It was a laughable misinterpretation of how the individuals in this business of AFL are wrongly perceived as AFL players first and human beings second.
It baffles me how anyone can turn a blind eye to the respectful camaraderie observed in the actions that sparked a heated debate.
Media personalities, headed by Cornes, raised the argument involving Gibbs’ voluntary departure from Carlton three years prior to chase a flag at the Adelaide Crows as the deserving reason not to be chaired off by longstanding teammates affiliated with the opposing side.
However, Gibbs strictly left solely based on family reasons to live closer to home, leaving no merit on their inaccurate judgments to suggest the decision to head interstate was linked with premiership intentions, despite the obvious desire to achieve that feat.
It seemed nothing but a fitting send-off for Gibbs in the arms of two of his loyal friends, but the image astonishingly became shrouded in controversy.
This highlights the media’s ability to pick apart a positive news story and find the bad in something good.
I often side with their beliefs but this old-fashioned view of David Teague’s non-committal approach left me dumbfounded and searching for answers.
This unnecessary criticism overshadowed not only the honouring of Bryce Gibbs’ glorified career but what should’ve been a picture of mutual respect that showed the belief that the AFL is more than just a game.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I think the Carlton boys wanted to chair Gibbs off the ground as a thankyou for the two high draft picks he swindled from Adelaide. :happy:
HR
Roar Rookie
Exactly – with very rare exceptions, players are giving their all on the field during the game, but they don’t hate their oppositions, in that deep-seated tribal sense. It’s a national, professional game, the players in every team come from all over the country, and they move between teams with some regularity, so there’s usually somebody playing for the opposition that they used to play with in juniors or at state level, and it’s difficult to hate someone you grew up playing with (again, with rare exceptions). And you don’t really gain anything by bearing grudges after a match, because it just draws focus away from what’s important – the next game. That lack of rancour after the game is one of the things I really like about many of the sports played in Australia – you play hard, but shake you opposition’s hand at the end of the game.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
I hate Carlton more than any other team and specifically watch their games because I love to see them lose and as they are still very average at the moment, the odds are on my side. While I still would love nothing more than to see the CFC and all their works perish in fire and universal catastrophe, I can accept that chairing Gibbs off was a moment that was all class - mostly because it was about mateship not footy. Anyone who could interpret it otherwise either has, and has never had a mate, or gets paid to talk loudly about very little and confect outrage on a weekly basis. In the case of both Cornes and Wilson, it is highly likely that they fit both of those criteria.
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
Female version of Kane Cornes I love that hahaha
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
She is a dead set flog isn't she? And as for Jack Riewoldt, God forbid she criticises a Richmond player. I hate bagging her because it can be perceived as sexist, but she really is a female version of Kane Cornes
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
Well said
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
The culture clash playing out before our eyes is the change of priorities of the younger generation of players. The warrior culture that was the ultimate in the days gone by is being replaced more by a mateship culture. Mateship was born in the Aussie Bush as are many of our top players and media performers. Kane Cornes sees the game as a war of attrition and views the other team as enemies. He believes this is the only way to get the best out of a team. Caroline Wilson uses the carrying off as a cheap shot at Adelaide. The Crows are doing okay now but she's still about a month behind and looking for that same old story. She's the MCC's girl so anyone else is fair game.
Marty
Roar Rookie
No not at all, I was referring to all the comments about Cornes.
Mal Booth
Roar Rookie
Well said, I completely agree.
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
Me?
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
Been that way for years
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
They love stirring the pot that's for sure
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
Yeah very well said Paul
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
It's heading that way unfortunately
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
cornes just makes ridiculous statements to hide away from the fact that his career was mediocre at best
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
so I heard can't believe that hahah
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
They both tried to stir the villagers up. They were simply unsuccessful in generating an angry mob, but Wilson and McClure had another go last night on FC.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Wilson doubled down last night, supported by McClure. These 2 seem to have an axe to grind when it comes to the Crows? I wonder if it has anything to do with court cases? Kornes is simply contrary and hates the Crows as much as everyone hates him!
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Lisa episodes are like Tiger supporter posts. No one wants to see them. Like eating cardboard. Boring
Trent Callen
Roar Rookie
Thanks Todd from Barwon Heads