Roar Rookie
Joined January 2023
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Order is returned to the world every March.
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As the subject of when is the right time for AFL players to retire rages on, it is worth taking a look at some…
What qualities do we admire or expect in an AFL captain? Is there an ideal position to captain a team from? Why were forwards…
The impact of ‘umpire dissent’ rules on game results is a hot topic. And rightly so. But the real question should be about the…
Some AFL coaches hone their survival instincts, while others battle to overcome imposter syndrome. The most successful ones lean into the uncertainty, focusing on…
In what is shaping up to be a tough season to predict, with upwards of a dozen teams already claiming to have what it…
Sure in an supermarket, office or driving… self-control is expected. Civilised society. But when you’ve just chased down the quickest guy or girl on the team, dragged them to ground in what you (and probably half the stadium) thought was a great tackle; it’s hard to then switch off the adrenalin. It’s a very physical contact sport so I get that people need protecting, but I’m not sure the umpire’s feelings qualify in the same way for ‘protection status’. Anyway, I get your point about raising kids in general though. I have well-behaved and, yes, gentle lads who happen to play contact sports – rugby, karate – where the discipline side does not interfere in the physical/emotional side. Cheers for the debate – helps to clarify what is a tricky topic, I appreciate.
Umpires are human… but players aren’t allowed to be
Yeah, makes sense and probably easier to measure than 35m using the field markings or something.
Umpires are human… but players aren’t allowed to be
I didn’t know that they’re not full-time/professional. That’s a good point then. Cheers
Umpires are human… but players aren’t allowed to be
@Srcum, The third score thing is a perfect example. It is venting. Sarcasm. Human. Your point about child-rearing is interesting because it’s lateral thinking but really not relevant or literal enough to work with this idea. We’re talking about adults playing, watching and adjudicating the matches. Players don’t need lectures. Fans don’t need to be taught how to think. Sure, a rules-based society – at work, home, play – is important but there are limits. The punishment should fit the crime. My argument is that it has tipped over.
Umpires are human… but players aren’t allowed to be
Tim, I’m questioning both the rules and the roles. The rules because they’re inhibiting the nature of the game, and the roles because a) umpires are being forced to enforce them (pretty much) at their own peril and b) because we’re now to believe that those entrusted with administering the rules are only human yet the players (the reason I watch) are not given such liberty. Why not just make their (the umpires) job easier in the first place. As for the third score jibe… That’s called sarcasm. Cheers for challenging this. It certainly needs discussion going forward. (-;
Umpires are human… but players aren’t allowed to be
Brisbane broke open a clumsy looking Geelong (albeit short some quality in the forward line). Yeah, the ‘kid’ didn’t miss a beat on debut. One to watch.
The dynasty is far from over: count Richmond out at your peril
Enjoyed your little editorial fancy with the strikethrough! Nice touch. Yes, bloody weird scheduling. All-the-more tricky factoring in time-zone differences and if you’re watching from abroad like me! I know the ‘good old days’ of weekend footy in the arvo slot are gone – I enjoy a mid-week and evening match as much as the next guy – but a little care for the time and technology challenged fans would be appreciated.
Beware Saints' new tagger, outrageous Errol, and a September smoky: Talking points from AAMI Community Series Day 2
Fair point, and interesting then to see in Hardwick’s case what bringing Rutten back will do for their backline which was a bit creaky last year.
How to succeed in the AFL’s cutthroat coaching world
Sam, cheers for the remarks. Thoroughly agree. Buy-in is huge, not once but with each new constellation (players, staff, board…. like you say). The tough-talking, tough-acting type is a dodo… at that level of sport, at least. Brain power, yepp. Charisma, too.
How to succeed in the AFL’s cutthroat coaching world
It certainly seems like that Niccolo. There’s a whole other story about the influence of coaches ‘transferring’ from a club. Look at the Hawthorne dynasty, which we know Hardwick came from, and now he seems to be building his own legacy of assistants breaking out (and sometimes in!) and obviously passing on a few ‘learnings’ in their new clubs. Perhaps the secret sauce is a toughness on the field (modelled in his own playing style) combined with a gentler atmosphere off the course. What do you reckon?
Will team spirit be the x-factor in this year's AFL?
@Don. Yeah the days of almost proudly wearing a badge like ‘Hungry’ (a la Bartlett era) are long gone. Do think there’s a place for a bit of ‘goal-hunger’, shall we call it, in the forwards at times but not further downfield. Didn’t know the clubroom talk on Horne-Francis. Sometimes the vibe just ain’t right! Will read up on it.
Will team spirit be the x-factor in this year's AFL?
Interesting distinction. In Union, at least, it seems like the scrums need a hell of a lot of team grit to work. Harder to say about the general field of play. Don’t watch a lot of games but the more structured or lined up nature of both Rugby codes probably changes the team dynamics compared to Aussie Rules, which needs more real-time, on-field adjustments. Just my observation.
Will team spirit be the x-factor in this year's AFL?
It’s semantics on what you reckon ‘dissent’ means. Do you watch Union? I see it on TV and live in Europe weekly. Players not only respect the refs but hang on their words. There are genuine discussions between players (admittedly, mostly captains or senior players) and the umpire. The situation is explained, and the player is allowed to ask what’s happening. In AFL, that’s forbidden now. It’s as though teacher has decided players are naughty if they dare to speak up. It’s unbalanced power.
Umpires are human… but players aren’t allowed to be