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Travy14:

i think the best way to stamp these out is a fine, then repeat offence is a suspension.  But the is the argument of how long do they carry over. 

I'd tend to agree to start with a (large) fine if there is any significant evidence of provocation.  In Clarry's case I don't believe there was any provocation (other than the offender's hurt pride in knowing that Clarry is a better player).  I doubt there'd be too much difficulty arguing about how long things carry over compared to just getting up a repeat offence schedule in the first place.

 
15 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

It’s about our society accepting these types of clearly violent behaviors. The reality is that footy players are looked up to and idolized by many people, especially young men. 
When we laugh off and not punish pure thuggery and are accepting of it, we are signaling that this type of behavior is also acceptable off the field. 

Our society is not nearly hard enough on violence, especially towards women. This notion that boys will be boys, is so wildly accepted in the AFL, and unfortunately in the wider society too. 
 

We [censored] on about the illicit drug problems in the AFL, but are totally fine to let players gut punch each other off the ball… because that’s not at all sending the wrong message!

I'm not sure it is tolerated by most.

Maybe a few [censored] commentators.

I don't want to trivalise the current violent attacks on women in this country but I'm sure most men are disgusted by them. I will argue the judicial system isn't as concerned as much given the poor decisions and light sentences. But Im certainly angry about them ,  as are most of mates.

 
4 hours ago, Travy14 said:

comparing apples and oranges,  contact is allowed in football.  is prohibited contact which resulted in a fine.  If this happened in the workplace you would be fired.  are you saying that Pickett should be removed from the AFL?

Not forever but yes for a week. 

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2 hours ago, bush demon said:

I was there that day when RDB and Melbourne were cheated out of a flag. I was standing on the Punt Rd side at HFF directly opposite the contest and clearly saw RDB trying to punch the ball down and miss Dean's head.

It was the "stage" of a lifetime but in those days the VFL and the tribunal were ning nongs and couldn't cope with the furore.

I have lived for 60 years with this memory and hope Clarry's puncher getting minimum 2 weeks for a dog act will help assuage my misery over RDB.


23 hours ago, sue said:

The AFL and the sycophantic media will say nothing in it, just a love tap, victim over-reacted etc etc.  One day they might realise it is not the best look for the sport or a good role model for young kids.  But I wouldn't hold your breath.

Just a playful tap to the diaphragm - such as this observed spectacle - can be extremely debilitating, easily bruised and very, very painful - hence, professional boxers utilise this 'hitting zone' more frequently than most other bodily sites.  It renders breathing difficulties instantly when not braced across the abdomen; for example, Clarrie was approached from behind as he was evaluating the play ahead, so he knew nothing of the cheap shot he was about to receive. It was almost a professional assault as if it was pre-determined (coached) to occur, totally regardless of forcefulness. Unacceptable, totally handicapping for a short period of time, and the mark of a coward within the game of footy.

18 hours ago, monoccular said:

Not forever but yes for a week. 

this is why i'm saying you can't compare AFL to a normal work place.  you don't get a week off work if you hit a co-worker or competitor.

On 26/04/2024 at 20:48, DeelightfulPlay said:

It mitigated my temper, not the fact that assaulting people on the field should be penalised.  I reckon Marlion as a person has been let down by many people in his life (although apparently the RFC has been great in supporting him properly), long before the AFL's failure to determine whether he's in the right headspace or not to take to the field (or any other player looking for violence... eg Maynard)

Does anyone give a fat rats clacker about people letting down poor Marlion Picket?? Nar!

 
On 26/04/2024 at 21:47, Jaded No More said:

It’s about our society accepting these types of clearly violent behaviors. The reality is that footy players are looked up to and idolized by many people, especially young men. 
When we laugh off and not punish pure thuggery and are accepting of it, we are signaling that this type of behavior is also acceptable off the field. 

Our society is not nearly hard enough on violence, especially towards women. This notion that boys will be boys, is so wildly accepted in the AFL, and unfortunately in the wider society too. 
 

We [censored] on about the illicit drug problems in the AFL, but are totally fine to let players gut punch each other off the ball… because that’s not at all sending the wrong message!

Can’t argue with that. It’s a one week penalty to prevent it but the AFL dropped the ball because one of their pin up boys was first to go. For a professional sport the level of umpiring and tribunal decisions are incredibly amateurish. It’s actually embarrassing that the AFL believed putting more amateur umpires in the field was the solution rather than making them professional’s and training them 5 days a week. I look forward to those concussed from this game receiving a payout that goes close to bankrupting the sport. The whole administration needs a giant kick up the bum. 

18 minutes ago, Travy14 said:

this is why i'm saying you can't compare AFL to a normal work place.  you don't get a week off work if you hit a co-worker or competitor.

Earlier posts indicate I don't differ from you much on the issue, but I think you should be careful about the meaning of compare.  It doesn't mean equivalence.   But you can compare the two (where have I heard that?)  It means:

"Estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between" etc

AFL is a workplace, just different from a 'normal' one.   You'd be sacked from a 'normal' one for executing a perfect AFL tackle on an unsuspecting colleague.  You won't be in the AFL because the rules you have signed up to allow it. 

But they don't allow sniping 'love taps' (despite what the commentators and other 'look at how tough I am' types say).  So it can reasonably argued it is a sackable offence in the AFL workplace. 

However as per earlier posts, I agree with you about the penalties for repeated 'love taps' offenders.  I suspect I'd sack earlier and for less than you, maybe not.  I think we differ on an automatic suspension for x weeks for any 'love tap' (I'm in favour unless extenuating circumstances can be proven)?

(Or here's a case where the AFL work place is more severe than a 'normal' one (and at the risk of mentioning topics we are not allowed to):  There are many workplaces where you would not be sacked for taking a certain drug at home - unlike in the AFL it seems.  Both are workplaces and can be compared, just not equivalent.)


It's an extra dog act given Clarry 's good sportsmanship that is often on display. 

And can we stop calling these events " love taps."

Edited by leave it to deever

On 27/04/2024 at 15:50, tiers said:

I was there that day when RDB and Melbourne were cheated out of a flag. I was standing on the Punt Rd side at HFF directly opposite the contest and clearly saw RDB trying to punch the ball down and miss Dean's head.

It was the "stage" of a lifetime but in those days the VFL and the tribunal were ning nongs and couldn't cope with the furore.

I have lived for 60 years with this memory and hope Clarry's puncher getting minimum 2 weeks for a dog act will help assuage my misery over RDB.

I remember it well, too,Tiers.

Dean should have been suspended for staging.They got their come-uppance with Neville Crowe  not long after, an innocent victim in similar circumstances (was it John Nicholls?)

BUT..... I hope M Pickett isn't suspended, because I want Richmond to be at their strongest, and knock off a few of our rivals.

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