Last year I noticed that it was a very rare event when one of our players on the bottom of the pack was not given a helping hand up off the ground by a team mate.  It was a feature of our game, and still is.

Then I noticed that we gave an occassional friendly pat on the back for an opponent who stood up in the contest, or a first gamer.

Then I noticed that we gave the occassional helping hand up to an opponent.  Last year Clarry offered his hand to Duncan? (cats) who declined the offer.  Oliver and Tracc are regulars at it this season and I think Rivers helped up a surprised Conoglio (GWS).

But wait there is more.  Keep a tight grip on your hair piece.

Against the Crows Clarrie gave a a helping hand up to the Texan.  Unbelievable.

Now times have changed since the VFL days in how the game is played and for that matter where your team mates come from.

Are we too friendly? 

By the way I havent seen May, Viney or Petty do this.

I personally like it, shows respect for the opposition. much like shaking hands before the game

It has nothing to do with toughness. I have seen Kozzi smash a bloke (fairly) and then check if they are OK when the ball is out of play or help them up.

Go in bloody hard but respect your opposition.  

3 minutes ago, DubDee said:

It has nothing to do with toughness

Totally agree on that.  It is not being soft, and we are not soft.

I always thought that you did everything to an opponent to expend their energy, and helping them up is the opposite to that.

Totally guessing, but feels like Trac has lead the way a bit with this. He was the first player I often noticed helping a player up or giving a pat on the back etc. Not sure about anyone else, but in turn I find that makes it more meaningful when you see one of them have a crack at an opposition player for doing something dirty - ie Trac's reaction to Ginnivan ducking for a free.

Just now, Jontee said:

Totally agree on that.  It is not being soft, and we are not soft.

I always thought that you did everything to an opponent to expend their energy, and helping them up is the opposite to that.

But Jontee doing the unexpected can get in the opponents head. Next opportunity to give you a quick punch in a tackle maybe they don't.  Get in their heads and mess with them.

Gets them back into the next contest quicker and with our fitness …

37 minutes ago, ManDee said:

Get in their heads and mess with them.

By the look on their faces we are certainly doing that.

And getting into mine as well.

 

54 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Totally guessing, but feels like Trac has lead the way a bit with this. He was the first player I often noticed helping a player up or giving a pat on the back etc. Not sure about anyone else, but in turn I find that makes it more meaningful when you see one of them have a crack at an opposition player for doing something dirty - ie Trac's reaction to Ginnivan ducking for a free.

His most memorable was in the Gf when he gave jack McCrae a friendly (and probably) sympathetic pat after Trac had nailed him for holding the ball.

Seemed like it was a kind of 'No hard feelings mate.."

probaly around the time of his 36th possie for that game.

Clarry's on Saturday was a class act IMO.

Tracca and Clarry are nothing but class. We should be honoured to have them represent us.

I think with clarry it is the faster big tex gets up, the faster i can win the next contest. 

I don't mind it within reason. I don't consider it brilliant leadership or anything but it is nice to see the show of respect between two warriors, just don't overdo it. 

Whilst it agree with my sense of sportsmanship and fair play I still remember Justin Madden getting traded from the Dons because he was seen smiling hours after a loss.

How the times have changed.

Still Tracc and Clarries ability allows them to do what they like.

He's looking after a future teammate....

We also don't tend to get in to the opposition after winning a free, Kozzi occasionally. The arrogance of getting in to the other players face when they make a mistake is a bad look and Liberatore is the worst. McCluggage did it to Fritta after he missed a goal, hope Bailey caught up with him after the game. 

Good pick up Jontee - I have noticed this and i think it is both clever and honorable. Being respectful, both with handshakes and interviews, denies opposition motivation and also demonstrates a superior level of confidence that in itself is intimidating to the opposition. Walk quietly and carry a big stick etc, no one is in doubt that we are BRUTAL at the contest, and when you are as BRUTAL as the team is, no need to carry on like a nong off the field or out of contest. You don't see an elephant running around like a mongoose a'la Ginnivan/Weightman.

I know I often bring things back to me and it annoys some, but when I was a cop, treating a crook fairly and not being too 'Baptist' with chastisement after a physical confrontation was often commented upon by the crook, especially the older ones, the words that come back to me are 'You new guys are making it hard to hate you'.

1 hour ago, Lord Nev said:

Totally guessing, but feels like Trac has lead the way a bit with this. He was the first player I often noticed helping a player up or giving a pat on the back etc. Not sure about anyone else, but in turn I find that makes it more meaningful when you see one of them have a crack at an opposition player for doing something dirty - ie Trac's reaction to Ginnivan ducking for a free.

spot on. Couldnt agree more. In a time where we are potting several players for off field antics (even one of our own) it is great to see we have Trac and co who couldnt be a better definition of a role model for the younger generation. Even Harmes indicating touched is great fare play. Others should take a leaf out of his book. 

I still maintain that in play, you do everything you can to hurt the opposition farely - non of this dirty stuff (unless its Dangerfield or Lycett). In time, umpires will learn to acknowledge this so that in 50/50 situations they may sub consciously give Trac the benefit of doubt. 

Clarry's been doing it for some time now. I have no problem with it at all.  It doesn't alter their hunger for the contest and doesn't stop them smashing their opponents at the next encounter. Having said that, I would offer the hand up to Jack Ginnivan then drop him halfway - but that's just me.

American basketball coach of mine was super hellbent on respect for the opposition. No ridicule or poor sponsorship. Shake hands. Respect the competition and love the game.

I love players shaking hands before the game too

2 hours ago, DEE fence said:

I know I often bring things back to me and it annoys some, but when I was a cop, treating a crook fairly and not being too 'Baptist' with chastisement after a physical confrontation was often commented upon by the crook, especially the older ones, the words that come back to me are 'You new guys are making it hard to hate you'.

Crikey, Clarrie picking up Tex does lead to some interesting places.

As a young fella I avoided the police and kept out of their eye.  Not hard as i was no trouble.  Recently my stepson had an absolute episode and came to the attention of the police. And the courts.  Can I just say that what was a difficult time for the family ended well.  The police were fantastic.

 

There is no way it helps winning to be treating opponents with less dignity or decency.

If our players' habit is to help each other up and then sometimes it just happens to be an opponent nearest in the mud pack, so be it. I'd rather an occasional cross-team bit of friendliness than have that habit diminished at all.

The only thing more unsettling than a player who is always ferocious is the player who can instantly toggle between friendly and ferocious. I like it. 

l would prefer they put their hand out and retract it just as the opposition accepts the offer ... in the end its a players decision ... l don't think it would suit viney but can see petracca doing it and still staying focused

In the words of Smashing Pumpkins:

"Disarm you with a smile" 

I saw this action by Clarrie and I thought it was fantastic. I love this breed of young man that is coming through the Melbourne footy club under Simon Goodwin. Tough competitors, elite aspirations, enjoy each other’s company and a laugh, have love and respect for each other, humble in victory and gallant in defeat. The self confidence and camaraderie amongst this group, together with a mindful attitude, sets us apart from the rest. I think, on so many levels on and off the pitch, we are leading the way in the competition. 

A year or two ago, in one of Goody’s pressers, a journalist brought up a quote from some meat head ex player (it might even have been Leigh Matthews) that Melbourne players were ‘too gentlemanly”. Goodwin replied something along the lines of “There’s nothing wrong with being a gentleman: but you can be a gentleman and a killer - look at James Bond!”