Ben Stratton's controversial 'pinching' tactics on Fantasia- dirty, or fair play?

Back in the 'good ol days' of one umpire and little camera coverage this sort of rubbish was rife. There were players in the VFL/WAFL/SANFL that just did it every game, all game. Murray Couper from Perth was a classic. More recently there were some players who are considered champions of the game that still resorted to niggle. Greg Williams and Libba snr are just a couple. But importantly, with the two then three umpires and blanket TV coverage, this type of stuff is now (thankfully) pretty rare. It is now noteworthy rather than the norm, and is totally unacceptable, kindergarten behaviour. As for Stratton. As a team leader that makes it even worse. Give him a week for the stomp, a week for the pinching and a week for being stupid.

I'm amazed at how nice footballers are these days. Stratton knew he was in no danger of getting a thick ear in retaliation.

Not at all Michael, it's silly to suggest that it's part of Hawks typical culture because a few players have pushed the edge over the years. The fair players far outweigh the few that play on the edge Michael. It's not fair to label guys like Gunston, Breust, Roughead, Smith, Mcevoy etc lumped into the same category as what Lewis, Stratton or Brown have done under the same Hawks culture. It's individual players that should be held accountable by the club and not every player plays the same way. Do we label all the Swans players in the same category as Hall because he committed a cowardly thug act? No, judge players on their own merit and what they do on the football field. As an example Brereton and Dunstall played in the same era and were both entrenched in the Hawks culture, if they were told to be filthy how come Dunstall is considered to be one of the fairest players to play the game? They are all individuals and should be judged individually.

Wow, a quick look back a dozen years or so would pick out a good many Hawks thugs Dean. Silly come back try.

I just think it's up to an individual player and he should be made accountable. Stupid thing to do and will pay for it.

Reminds of when Mitchell was running around deliberately kneeing players. I think it was Walker who had to leave the field during a game with a server corked hip or thigh and missed the following week. And all of Hodge, Lewis and Mitchell were running around most of their careers throwing their forearms and elbows around. Seems to be a pattern, that probably both encouraged and endorsed by the coaches. What a filthy bunch of flogs.

Sam did it then. He's teaching it now. Time doesn't change a leopard's spots.

Not angry at all champ. Just had to reply to a silly comment suggesting Mitchell was behind it. I got no problems with having a turn down the bottom. Rather be on the way down after having success than trying to win that elusive first premiership that is still not in sight. 2013 was 6 years ago Don, no need to be still bitter.

Hang in there. I know you're angry but I did tell you to expect a few years in the bottom 4. It begins. Not sure blaming me or Ryan Crowley will help.

And assumption on your behalf that Mitchell has anything to do with it. Deal in facts Don and stick t on the issue that is is Strattonan. I have already stated l don't like it so you incorrect that l have deflected the issue and in denial. Don't let the purple haze blind you.

As a nation we love to try and get away with things. The ATO reported this year that half of all tax payers claimed a whopping $1.5bn in clothing deductions which would mean half of all tax payers are wearing a specific uniform or protective gear to work. Ben Stratton much like those who make bogus clothing tax deductions (half of us) has been getting away with it for years but now the government (AFL) is clamping down. We seem to be fine in not giving money to help build hospitals and schools (pay taxes) but we go up in arms when a bloke pinches someone and has been doing for years and now gets busted.

Any comment on the real stuff? Crowley isn't coaching anyone. Mitchell obviously is. Deflection and denial.

It might work at a pinch

I think the coach is weak. How could he not be aware? If he wasn't aware what WAS he doing at the time....he was suppose to be coaching Hawthorn....you know, whilst the match was in progress.

Yes it is and it should be. Crowley was fined $1500 for pinching Harvey. Harvey claimed that he was pinched multiple times throughout the match that left welts on his body. Similar to Stratton, so he should be fined about the same. Not sure if Miller was fined or not on his tactics on Zorko.

Clarko should stamp it out of Stratton and make an example of him if he continues to do it. Just want to know what your thoughts were when Crowley was doing similar tactics? None of the coaches could get out of his game. He was fined for it as l think Stratton should be.

What is the past is the past. My point is that people are saying its the Hawks culture rather than a stupid act by an individual player. For every Brereton there is a Dunstall, Angela picked out Sicily and Stratton but most of the list rarely cross the line and reported except for a couple of individual acts like James Cousins that all teams encounter with one of there players. It's not a Hawthorn thing and it has been done by multiple players over the year. Touk Miller for example from the Suns was using similar tactics to Zorko.

Haha ok Don, Crowley was fined for such tactics.

Neroli Meadows said that Fantasia bruises too easy, so it must be that.

That's been proven it doesn't work. Hawks have a horrible list. I'd get out if I was Clarko.