Robbo's comment about depression is not something I take lightly. If he has experienced it or witnessed it within the team then I see his comment as quite insightful.

Really? You think so? Insightful?

Of course depression occurs in AFL football, it is common in all facets of life.

Reading negative posts about themselves are never going to help the situation, but you have to have some semblance of common sense.

Criticism is a fact of an AFL player's life and if you can't accept it you shouldn't be there.

When members of the team break team rules on field, we have a right to vent our anger as long as it is constructive.

Let Robbo gun for those on the internet then.

HT, I agree with you.

However, there has been a general escalation in legal activity by public persons who have taken issue with, for instance, restaurant critics, music critics, and now bloggers.

The alleged threats from the AFL to SEN to deny them the footy rights unless they sacked Grant Thomas fall in similar territory.

The corollary is: be careful, and think before you press "post".

HT, I agree with you.

However, there has been a general escalation in legal activity by public persons who have taken issue with, for instance, restaurant critics, music critics, and now bloggers.

The alleged threats from the AFL to SEN to deny them the footy rights unless they sacked Grant Thomas fall in similar territory.

The corollary is: be careful, and think before you press "post".

How about retrospectively..?

I'd better trawl through some threads and delete my posts...

Really? You think so? Insightful?

That's what I typed isn't it?

Of course depression occurs in AFL football, it is common in all facets of life.

Reading negative posts about themselves are never going to help the situation, but you have to have some semblance or common sense.

I see so depression and common sense are mutually exclusive when you are publically maligned without the chance to defend yourself. "All facets of life" - well yeah of course it occurs in all facets of life but it doesn't take away from the point Robbo was making. Most people "in life" don't have their name put up in the public eye and have to put up with any old crap that is attached to it. I agree that an AFL player should be pretty thick skinned with this sort of thing but it is human nature that when you are in the firing line you want to see why.

Criticism is a fact of an AFL player's life and if you can't accept it you shouldn't be there.

Criticism within the football fraternity or club usually makes a player improve. Criticism outside of that where any old trash can be typed and is there for all to see at any time (such as the internet is) is a different situation. As I said, constructive criticism is fine (and I suspect this is what you are also referring to) and IMO most people on this site express their views in a proper manner. Whether their views are founded or not is up for debate but that is what forums are for and I agree that is life (as it should be). Some AFL footballers cop it more than others though and such is the way, constructive criticism can degenerate to something else over time.

Most people "in life" don't have their name put up in the public eye and have to put up with any old crap that is attached to it.

Most people in life aren't on 6 figure incomes by the time they're in the early 20's with no tertiary education either.

I'm more concerned with players getting into debt and offing themselves.

So stop Addam from betting and give him something to do, and then we can worry about the players cutting themselves because a 16 year old thinks they should be delisted.

Most people in life aren't on 6 figure incomes by the time they're in the early 20's with no tertiary education either.

I think your point is irrelevant. Being on a good salary doesn't automatically make people immune to the effects of gutter trash criticism in the public realm. If you think that player salary is a good enough excuse for people to say what they want in any old way whether it is founded or not then that is up to you, I am not interested in convincing people otherwise. People will say what they want to say.

I think your point is irrelevant. Being on a good salary doesn't automatically make people immune to the effects of gutter trash criticism in the public realm. If you think that player salary is a good enough excuse for people to say what they want in any old way whether it is founded or not then that is up to you, I am not interested in convincing people otherwise. People will say what they want to say.

Not reading the gutter trash criticism does make you immune.

I'm really surprised any players would be stupid enough to do it.

I think your point is irrelevant. Being on a good salary doesn't automatically make people immune to the effects of gutter trash criticism in the public realm. If you think that player salary is a good enough excuse for people to say what they want in any old way whether it is founded or not then that is up to you, I am not interested in convincing people otherwise. People will say what they want to say.

I'll tell you the hypocrisy of your argument (by the way I don't abuse players) and the one put forward by Robbo.

Robbo is worried about a player hearing or reading negative comments which could contribute to depression, fair enough, seems reasonable. But let's look how the footballers themselves behave on the ground...the level of trash talk on the field makes anythign I've read on demonland look like an argument between two kindergarden kids. What they say to each other on the ground is far worse than what goes on around here, and the majority of footballers engage in the trash talk.

So what's difference between whether they here it from one of their peers out on the ground or from a spectator? Personally I would have thought it would be worse from someone you considered to be an equal.

So, in summary, if the footballers themselves can't control themselves with their trash talk how the hell do they expect the fans to when we see it on a weekly basis?

Not reading the gutter trash criticism does make you immune.

I'm really surprised any players would be stupid enough to do it.

I am too Enforcer but human nature is a curious thing and some times it can be unavoidable when opinions are put out there with the well expressed intermingled with the not so well expressed.

I'll tell you the hypocrisy of your argument (by the way I don't abuse players) and the one put forward by Robbo.

Robbo is worried about a player hearing or reading negative comments which could contribute to depression, fair enough, seems reasonable. But let's look how the footballers themselves behave on the ground...the level of trash talk on the field makes anythign I've read on demonland look like an argument between two kindergarden kids. What they say to each other on the ground is far worse than what goes on around here, and the majority of footballers engage in the trash talk.

That's a pretty trivial way of looking at it. What happens on a footy field or on the ground in most proffesional sports usually stays there and more often than not players shake hands at the end of the game or at least have the chance to return fire - it is fair game. Character assasination in the public realm is completely different surely you can fathom that.

I am too Enforcer but human nature is a curious thing and some times it can be unavoidable when opinions are put out there with the well expressed intermingled with the not so well expressed.

I guess what I mean is, I expect players to read it once or even twice out of curiosity, but you learn from your mistakes and would do well to steer well clear.

Mind you, I have heard of the players jumping on from time to time just to have a laugh at how out of touch with reality we posters are.

I'm sure they grow out of that fairly quickly.

I'll tell you the hypocrisy of your argument (by the way I don't abuse players) and the one put forward by Robbo.

Robbo is worried about a player hearing or reading negative comments which could contribute to depression, fair enough, seems reasonable. But let's look how the footballers themselves behave on the ground...the level of trash talk on the field makes anythign I've read on demonland look like an argument between two kindergarden kids. What they say to each other on the ground is far worse than what goes on around here, and the majority of footballers engage in the trash talk.

So what's difference between whether they here it from one of their peers out on the ground or from a spectator? Personally I would have thought it would be worse from someone you considered to be an equal.

So, in summary, if the footballers themselves can't control themselves with their trash talk how the hell do they expect the fans to when we see it on a weekly basis?

I'll tell you about the hypocrisy of yours, Jarka. You are happy that footballers get abused because they earn money and should be tough enough to take it. You've asked mods to stop me posting in response to you - delicate little soul. Footballers can take it but you cannot. Maybe if you got paid more it would help? Do words really hurt so much? Mayube they hurt more impresonally than in-person? Wriggle out of that, why don't you?

The fun part - the real kicker - is that last year, Jarka, you tried to insinuate that a current melbourne player had a mental illness. You did it only to get attention and big-note yourself. I reckon everything you've now written is nothing more than an attempt to justify your past behaviour with the flimsiest of arguments whilst also behaving in a hypocritical way.

Nice. Really nice. Now tell me that your behaviour is all predetermined.

Now back to the topic...I wonder if there should be an increased sense of responsibility over what we write? Free speech is one thing, but perhaps an appreciation for how it will be received is also not unreasonable. It might also force increased accuracy and sophistication (Jarka, you may notice that I've not derided your personal habits or lifestyle choices - see, it is possible!).

I guess what I mean is, I expect players to read it once or even twice out of curiosity, but you learn from your mistakes and would do well to steer well clear.

Yeah, no doubt I understand you completely I don't know why a player would keep "coming back for more" so to speak if they are not in favour or are in bad form. I guess some of them have a lot of time on their hands lol. You would think that being part of a professional would be to steer clear and focus on your profession and anything that detracts from that would be ignored. This is all the more reason why I think Robbo's point about depression to me was insightful. I didn't think the players worried too much about what was out there but perhaps they do more so than we think - who knows?

Mind you, I have heard of the players jumping on from time to time just to have a laugh at how out of touch with reality we posters are.

I'm sure they grow out of that fairly quickly.

It would be hard to resist at least at some stage of your career I'd imagine.

The topic is Robertson and his views on internet criticism of AFL players - not your pathetic obsession with Jarka.

Don't want to hear it princess.

This generation of young players don't need Robbo to tell them what goes on on these forums, they actually grew up with computers and I'd say a fare few have read/posted on message boards before they were drafted. They know exactly what goes on.

Yeah, no doubt I understand you completely I don't know why a player would keep "coming back for more" so to speak if they are not in favour or are in bad form. I guess some of them have a lot of time on their hands lol. You would think that being part of a professional would be to steer clear and focus on your profession and anything that detracts from that would be ignored. This is all the more reason why I think Robbo's point about depression to me was insightful. I didn't think the players worried too much about what was out there but perhaps they do more so than we think - who knows?

I think its more an insight into Robbo's own psyche - he's a strange one old Robbo.

He doesn't think of football the way I do, but I think I understand him and his motives, which is part of the frustration for me.

Short answer is: He and some other players might, but they shouldn't and if they knew what was good for them they wouldn't.

It would be hard to resist at least at some stage of your career I'd imagine.

Its just like googling your own name isn't it?

The topic is Robertson and his views on internet criticism of AFL players - not your pathetic obsession with Jarka.

Don't want to hear it princess.

Thanks mate for the backup. timD has some sad internet vendetta against me, it's actually quite hilarious reading his rants.

back to the topic.

1858, you may misunderstand my point. Not for once do I condone anyone abusing another person, regardless of whether they are a player, umpire or spectator. I've already made the point that I don't do it. But it's a bit rich seeing players do it in every single match knowing that their actions influence their fans (let's face it, whether they want it or not they are role models) and then turn around and complain about the odd online comment.

The reason why the AFL is trying to stamp out abuse towards umpires is because they know that fans will parrot this type of behaviour. If they want to get serious about stamping it out they need to lead from the front as a group and stop the trash talk on the field.

You may think that's unreasonable, but you need to think about the issue not just from your own point of view. You're obviously well educated and intelligent, the problem mostly stems from those who haven't been as fortunate in terms of education.

im sorry robbo.

Oh please. If a player can't handle criticism, then he shouldn't give us something to fuel the argument with.

What a load of crap. If you can't handle it, you shouldn't be a professional athlete. Criticism comes part and parcel, and considering we pay for membership and devout out time to watch and support them, we have a god damn right to be critical if they aren't giving back what we put in

Why is it crap. They chose the career because they are good at it and they like what they do. They didn't choose it to have muppits like you to degrade them. Would you be happy if someone posted comments about you all over the internet.

Some people on these forums seriously have to grow up and think. If you think having ago at someone else just because of their profession, you are seriously deluded.

It is so easy to hide behind a user name, to deride someone else without having ever achieved anything on a footy field.

This has grown legs from one paragraph.

Pretty simple - posters shouldn't be a tools, players shouldn't be fools.

They are strongly, repeatedly, advised against reading such material.

Jobe Watson on FC (he talks on handling criticisms at about 3,8min mark I think)

Players would be able to cop critisim when playing from opposition and supporters etc.

But when your just starting and you cop slurs and attacks from your own supporters that would really hurt, and so would copping it after playing soo long for a club and your heart and soul into a club then being critisised because your no good anymore.

Players would be able to cop critisim when playing from opposition and supporters etc.

But when your just starting and you cop slurs and attacks from your own supporters that would really hurt, and so would copping it after playing soo long for a club and your heart and soul into a club then being critisised because your no good anymore.

Point is:

Why insult/bag out a player from the team you support at all. Here or anywhere?

Different if you're saying-

-He f**ked that up.. -kick the freakin thing.. or -he can't handball for shite, needs to improve- Constructive criticism or just being [censored] off at the quality of the play is one thing.. But i just don't see the point of crapping on something you say you support, which has happened plenty on this site.. and would be great to see less of.

Supporter based forums should be used for -footy-related discussion, opinions and bagging out every other club and their players!

That said, 'Depression' is pushing it a bit..

Lucky the question of certain players courage, lineage and sexual preference is confined to the internet where they can choose not to read what has been posted and not spat at them by some toothless bogan from the outer!

geezus... for people who make their living in the lime light..its a tad precious

Exactly,how precious can you be,you dont mind pocketing huge amounts of money plus all the perks that go with it.We supportesrs pay your wage & support your living so get over it.I get abused when i play & i dont even get paid yet i couldnt give a damn