Open Mike. David Neitz

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

hmm - on another thread posted today - a bump that most applaud on here - Whelan taking out Hird - so many on here applaud that bump - whats your take on it ?

Seriously? Whelan bumped him in the side and Hird was over the ball.

Long bumped Simmonds in the head and he wasn't even near the ball.

[nutbean 8,838]

Seriously? Whelan bumped him in the side and Hird was over the ball.

Long bumped Simmonds in the head and he wasn't even near the ball.

Seriously - you obviously haven't watched the Troy Simmonds incident in a long time have you. I watched it 5 seconds ago ( again) - his fingers were on the ball - so much for not being near the ball.

The difference between the two is Simmonds head is down and long didnt jump - he didnt need to. Hirds head wasnt down and Whelan did jump.

They both came at their opponents at speed and tried to take their men out.

The minor difference between the two is Hird just manages to turn so he doesnt get his head taken off but the intent in both is clear.

Just so we are clear - Whelan charges in - didnt attempt to tackle , didnt attempt to take the ball - he just wanted to iron out Hird and succeeded.

So you are sickened by Longs action but not Whelans.

( for the record - I think Longs actions were careless and negligent and he got his right whack - I have heard him speak about the incident and he said he did try run through Simmonds - but didnt think about trying to put him on a stretcher or knocking him unconscious. He said he got a fair punishment because you should be responsible when you make a decision as he did. Long was always a ball player adn he made a grave error of judgement that he didn't think would turn out the way it did. As to Whelan - it could have had the same result. I dont think any footballer wants to put another footballer into hospital - shake them up ? intimidate ? but knock them out ? That was never Longs game)

Edited July 2, 2014 by nutbean