Bennell pulled out of another contest

[Rogue 585]

He hasn't been allowed to forget about what happened in the Collingwood game (which is probably fair enough), but now it seems we are just looking for instances of doing the wrong thing that just aren't there. Ridiculous thread.

It's understandable that he'll be scrutinised more closely than others now that he 'has a record'.

There was one incident on Friday where it looked like Bennell went to kick the ball off the ground instead of trying to take possession. I didn't like the look of it, but he played well enough outside of that for it to not matter.

That's my impression of his game too.

FFS, don't we have other things to talk about? He takes the biggest, most couragous mark of the game in a pack situation, and you want to drop him to the seconds to teach him a lesson.

I don't remember it that well, but from what I remember it wasn't like he stood in the middle of a pack while some guys were bearing down on him. I think those are the courageous pack marks - not the 'speccy' types where you run and leap at the footy and it happens to be near some blokes.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I don't remember it that well, but from what I remember it wasn't like he stood in the middle of a pack while some guys were bearing down on him. I think those are the courageous pack marks - not the 'speccy' types where you run and leap at the footy and it happens to be near some blokes.

Agree.

While Bennell gets scrutiny after the Collingwood game, I have not seen another incident since. However I have not seen his internal fortitude put to the test since.

Like Rogue says I have not seen a situation where Bennell has gone for a mark, contested ball or situation where he is likely to take the hit. The situation Rogue outlines is the "courageous pack mark". I would also add the situation of players backing into pack or standing their ground for a marking contest knowing a bigger player (Brown or Lockett coming through). I remember Shaun Smith backing into a marking contest knowing full well he had Plugger steaming to the contest. Smith took the hit but denied Plugger a mark at 40m from goal. Gutsy team orientated stuff.

Bennell has alot of very good skills and I hope as he matures performs more consistently. And when he is seriously challenged in the future he will rise to the occassion and do what is required at this level.

[Guest Thomo]

Thomo you got this badly wrong. There are a number of posts that tell the true picture. The right thing to do would be admit you're mistaken & then change the thread title. It looks poor.

I stand by it. I think on this occasion he should of gone the hard ball. It was the last quarter with the game in the balance, and he thought about self preservation. As I said earlier, I like him as a player, and after the incident earlier in the year I may be looking harder at him than others.

The title is correct, he did pull out of the contest. Whether it was the correct thing to do is what is up for debate.

Everyone has an opinion, this is mine.

[MikeyJ 60]

My point is, and it's directed to all of us re this issue, not just you, is that self sacrificial acts is what ultimately wins flags.

So It would be nice to know the players you have put out on the field will go when it's their turn. And especially when the game is in the balance & dependent on winning these isolated contests of will, to inspire similar committed efforts.

I'm not this time criticizing Bennell, at this point as I haven't seen the replay yet, but any player who doesn't at least reduce the contest to a ball up.

I'm hoping to watch the replay tonight to see what everyone is talking about. After seeing a few minutes this after noon one effort I saw that was very poor was Dunn's weak effort to not contest Sylvia's poor kick to him in the forward 50.

So, the point is, committed acts of courage lead to teams winning hard tough fought close games.

Pulling out deflates the commitment of teammates to show valor in times of apprehension.

Err, no one's disagreeing with you on this point. But raising this truism in the context of Thomo's erroneous criticism of Bennell doesn't make any sense.

Consensus is that Bennell did the right thing by keeping his feet in wet conditions. The point that many, including Nasher and myself, are trying to get across is that there is a fine line between self-sacrificial, courageous acts and stupid ones.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I stand by it. I think on this occasion he should of gone the hard ball. It was the last quarter with the game in the balance, and he thought about self preservation. As I said earlier, I like him as a player, and after the incident earlier in the year I may be looking harder at him than others.

The title is correct, he did pull out of the contest. Whether it was the correct thing to do is what is up for debate.

Everyone has an opinion, this is mine.

Its a pity its so flawed. You have let an earlier incident clearly cloud your judgement.

[Guest Thomo]

Its a pity its so flawed. You have let an earlier incident clearly cloud your judgement.

Maybe. I think I would be as critical if it was another player, but I don't know.

[Yokozuna 1,004]

It is interesting that this is an issue.

I have played footy for over 20 years, and in that situation I would, and most players I know, would have jumped as he did.

If his legs were still on the ground he could very well be having a knee reco this week.

Also, I saw Liam Pickering bring this point up on one of the many footy shows on Foxtel. He thinks it is a big issue with players sliding into other players legs. I agree with him. It is very hard for the player standing up to do much when someone dives at them.

It is one of my many pet hates when it comes to rules how players can dive into peoples legs, and either get a free for high contact, or they knock the player over, who falls on them and they get an in the back free.

That is besides the point though.

There was no lack of courage by Bennell, (maybe just a lack of courage by the posters who think he shirked the issue), it was the smart play at the time.

And if we are going to focus on every individual piece of play, I am sorry, but I am sure we could focus on a few more minute pieces of play which were just as "bad" by many of our players.

Lets stick to the positives, and be happy with the improvement being shown, and be glad we are not still down with the Tigers!

[MikeyJ 60]

It is interesting that this is an issue.

I have played footy for over 20 years, and in that situation I would, and most players I know, would have jumped as he did.

If his legs were still on the ground he could very well be having a knee reco this week.

Also, I saw Liam Pickering bring this point up on one of the many footy shows on Foxtel. He thinks it is a big issue with players sliding into other players legs. I agree with him. It is very hard for the player standing up to do much when someone dives at them.

The Lions' Matthew Leuenberger suffered exactly this fate in the final term last weekend. Had to go off the ground to get an ankle treated in a close-fought final quarter.

While he didn't have any chance to avoid contact a la Bennell, the potential for more serious injury was obvious. I have no doubt he would have jumped if he'd had the opportunity.

[Allen Jakovich 516]

Where you guys are off the mark is in terms of the intentions of the players.

They are not pulling out because they are not hard enough, they are pulling out because they don't want to get reported.

Sylvia in particular is being very careful with this, and that is a good thing.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Allen Jakovich

[Weedster 174]

Agree 100% Dreamin' Man! Bennell played very well on Friday night, and is continuing to prove his worth to this ever-improving team. In fact, some of the things he did in the wet were quite exceptional! The coach praised his efforts, and so should we. This nit-picking is downright unfair on the player!

Exactly correct - this is a crap thread

[dee-luded 2,959]

Err, no one's disagreeing with you on this point. But raising this truism in the context of Thomo's erroneous criticism of Bennell doesn't make any sense.

Consensus is that Bennell did the right thing by keeping his feet in wet conditions. The point that many, including Nasher and myself, are trying to get across is that there is a fine line between self-sacrificial, courageous acts and stupid ones.

This is nothing to do with Thomo's post, but my thoughts re this subject, for what our team should stand for & our core onfield values.

[Nasher 33,607]

I have no doubt he would have jumped if he'd had the opportunity.

Maybe he should've gone down for the bump and broken his (or the other bloke's) neck instead.

[MikeyJ 60]

Maybe he should've gone down for the bump and broken his (or the other bloke's) neck instead.

Reckon that's the only thing that would have kept some posters happy.

[GOLF 13]

Jamie plays footy far better than I ever could and is more courageous at it that I ever was.

Now let's hear from anyone who wouldn't say the same.

[bing181 9,193]

Thomo you got this badly wrong. There are a number of posts that tell the true picture. The right thing to do would be admit you're mistaken & then change the thread title. It looks poor.

It not just looks poor, it is poor. To do a hatchet job on a player in the context of a team review is perhaps one thing. But to single out an individual given what he and the whole team did last week, and then to start a special thread about it, is really weak.

Even the use of "another" in the title is unacceptable. It implies he's some kind of serial offender when there was a single incident a few weeks back. His courageous and committed performances since then would suggest that either that was an aberration, or he really was cramping at that moment.

It's very easy to sit back here and pass judgement. Too easy perhaps.

[Roost It 1,434]

I stand by it. I think on this occasion he should of gone the hard ball. It was the last quarter with the game in the balance, and he thought about self preservation. As I said earlier, I like him as a player, and after the incident earlier in the year I may be looking harder at him than others.

Had Bennell gone the contest amongst other things (probable injuries) it would of been a free kick for in the back - hardly great stuff when the game is in the balance. In fact it's that kind of football that we watch hawthorn players get suspended for most weeks. It's not courageous it's gutless and is inspired by men such as Clarkson, Kennett and co.

The title is correct, he did pull out of the contest. Whether it was the correct thing to do is what is up for debate.

No the title is incorrect. It wasn't a contest. The Dogs player was there first and had the ball somewhat in his control. Bennell had no chance to "contest" the ball within the rules or the spirit of the game. He did the smartest thing possible which was to jump over the Dogs player at pace.

Everyone has an opinion, this is mine.

The argument is over. You need to watch the vision again and explain to us how he was to "contest" the ball within the rules and spirit of the game. My other suggestion is you barrack for hawthorn.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

Watched the replay today.

No way in the world he can be accused of dogging in this incident! FWIW I was critical of Benny in the Pies match. He has not put a foot wrong since, in fact, seems to be improving rapidly.