Brock's Trip to Hell

[Mister Ed 305]

Two Herald Sun articles on Brock McLean as he tells his side of the story on those overseas incidents - Dee's trip to hell and Johnstone exit sends message

[Pates 9,625]

Good comments by him, i'll take him at his word if he say it was self defense but i would like him to make sure he doesn't get into those situations.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

When you are an alien (non -resident) in a foreign country where you dont know the law nor appreciate that country's sensitivity toward assault issues involving a foriegner especially if it involves possibly one of their own countrymen in the matter, why you would not extract yourself from the situation well before it gets to a confrontation or a fist fight? Indicates a lack of judgement IMO.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,343]

Sorry but I'm too suspicious about the same two blokes being in two different punch-ons. He can say all he wants but he obviously can't resist a dust-up when out.

Learn to walk away from the situation and shut your mouth, or don't go out.

*Cue for all the apologists to say their only young blokes like you and me, leave them alone*

[Diablo 1]

Indicates a lack of judgement IMO.

Perhaps, but no more or less than pretty much any other footballer. Outstanding tact and judgement is sadly lacking from the mental constitution of most players. I would hope he has learned from it, and perhaps learned a bit about who he should go on his footy trips with.

[DemonWorshipper 304]

It does sound like a bit of bad luck, but I'm willing to give Brock the benefit of the doubt. He does seem like the kind of bloke who would stand up for a mate, that is admirable.

Could have been handled a little better by the boys though!

[old55 22,775]

2007 was an extremely disappointing year from McLean all round.

[Hannabal 4]

So they got in a barny. Big deal.

[deanox 9,641]

im of the opinion that a) no charges were laid in either situation, so that suggests there was nothing big to report, and it is possible that they were 100% the victims and b.) they were on an end of season trip, were probably drunk, and the fact that all they did was act in self defence isnt too bad. drinking impairs judgement at the best of times, when someone picks a fight with you they have done well if they havnt caused a serious ruckas.

[Guest unstable punt]

So they got in a barny. Big deal.

thats what l reckon too, l spent 5 years in Europe and did many trips to the continent and these things happen, drunks wanting to fight. You deal with it and people who judge them by that have either lived very sheltered lives or live in glass houses.

[mo64 5,480]

thats what l reckon too, l spent 5 years in Europe and did many trips to the continent and these things happen, drunks wanting to fight. You deal with it and people who judge them by that have either lived very sheltered lives or live in glass houses.

I too have been in that position whilst travelling in Europe, but I wasn't an AFL footballer. Players have to realise that if they want all the benefits that come from being a modern AFL player, they need to make some sacrifices along the way. End-of-season trips are a thing of the past, and players are expected to rock up to preseason in fairly good nick.

Sure, take a holiday wherever you like, but destinations such as Ios and the Oktoberfest, suggest that the boys weren't looking at broadening their cultural horizens.

A slap on the wrist for Brock, but it shouldn't preclude him from the captaincy down the track.

[Jaded No More 67,627]

He stuffed up, he gets another chance. I believe he won't stuff up again, and if he does, he'll have to pay the consequences.

I'm far more interested in his statement that he will lead the boys regardless of what title he is given. That is much much more important to the future of this club than some overseas incident which ended in no charges and a short stay in a cell to sober up.

He has, as always, handled himself in a mature and upfront way.

It's yesterday's news now.

[Demons 32 235]

Sorry but I'm too suspicious about the same two blokes being in two different punch-ons. He can say all he wants but he obviously can't resist a dust-up when out.

Learn to walk away from the situation and shut your mouth, or don't go out.

*Cue for all the apologists to say their only young blokes like you and me, leave them alone*

Walk away......?

I expect 100% aggreance with Brock. Turn your back on a mob of blokes who want to fight!!!??? Didn't your Dad teach you anything.

3 most important rules for a brewing fight.

1. Attempt to defuse with a "it's all good"

2. Never be the first guy hit. Always hit first unless you wanna be the bloke in hospital.

3. NEVER EVER EVER TURN YOUR BACK.

As Brock said he would have been king hit. Anyone who has been in a fight will know that.

[Demons 32 235]

When you are an alien (non -resident) in a foreign country where you dont know the law nor appreciate that country's sensitivity toward assault issues involving a foriegner especially if it involves possibly one of their own countrymen in the matter, why you would not extract yourself from the situation well before it gets to a confrontation or a fist fight? Indicates a lack of judgement IMO.

Oh My God.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,343]

Walk away......?

I expect 100% aggreance with Brock. Turn your back on a mob of blokes who want to fight!!!??? Didn't your Dad teach you anything.

3 most important rules for a brewing fight.

1. Attempt to defuse with a "it's all good"

2. Never be the first guy hit. Always hit first unless you wanna be the bloke in hospital.

3. NEVER EVER EVER TURN YOUR BACK.

As Brock said he would have been king hit. Anyone who has been in a fight will know that.

Or how about don't get involved in a blue, period!

I'm 25, and been out nearly every weekend since turning 18, and never been appoached for a blue. Why did it happen to these two blokes twice? Surely Brock and Carroll must aggrevated the situation?

[Demons 32 235]

Or how about don't get involved in a blue, period!

I'm 25, and been out nearly every weekend since turning 18, and never been appoached for a blue. Why did it happen to these two blokes twice? Surely Brock and Carroll must aggrevated the situation?

You can't really avoid when someone does cleary want to fight you.

You have never been approached for a blue. If you were and you turned your back, you would be a fool.

Im 19 and have been in scuffles when I was younger but two serious blues, neither I started, first one because a mate got grabbed by the throaght I pulled them apart tried to come down and got smacked across the head by some random mate.

The second same sort of situation some guy kept bumping a friend of mine and when my mate finally said why do you keep bumping me the guy said have you got a problem. He grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and I belted the [censored] out of him, then there was a bit of a brawl. But key point is that this guy was fighting no matter what.

Don't talk high and mighty if you haven't even been approached for a fight, while yes I have defused a few in my life, you cannot always help it.

My girlfriends Dad told me a story once of this guy that wanted to fight him, he settled it down shook the blokes hand and turned his back, want to know what happened, he got bottled.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Or how about don't get involved in a blue, period!

I'm 25, and been out nearly every weekend since turning 18, and never been appoached for a blue. Why did it happen to these two blokes twice? Surely Brock and Carroll must aggrevated the situation?

I agree BBP.

Oh My God.

I did not expect you to understand.

[Demons 32 235]

I agree BBP.

I did not expect you to understand.

Didn't expect you to be a man.

[Demons 32 235]

Want to fight about it?

God I wish

[Premiers '08 0]

I agree BBP.

Demons 32 is right.

U have to remember, a lot of guys want to beat up footy players. Not sure why - Make a name for themselves or something....

Anyway, Brock did the right thing & all the people who are 2nd guessing him are crazy!

Sh*t happens. Knock out or be knocked out.

Especially if your a footballer...

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Didn't expect you to be a man.

I can see you're well short of it in the school of life, junior.

Remember to dry behind the ears.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Demons 32 is right.

U have to remember, a lot of guys want to beat up footy players. Not sure why - Make a name for themselves or something....

Anyway, Brock did the right thing & all the people who are 2nd guessing him are crazy!

Sh*t happens. Knock out or be knocked out.

Especially if your a footballer...

The fights happened in Greece and Germany where no one has ever heard of AFL. Its not King Street or Crown Casino. AFL footballers are nobodies overseas. Its frightening and hard to believe .....but its true.

Its a fantasy that the Swedish tourists picked them because they are AFL footballers.

No one was 2nd guessing Brock merely basing it on his account and the lack of judgement at getting yourself in that position overseas is more than was evident.

[Demons 32 235]

I can see you're well short of it in the school of life, junior.

Remember to dry behind the ears.

Oh Rachel you crack me up.

[Premiers '08 0]

No one was 2nd guessing Brock merely basing it on his account and the lack of judgement at getting yourself in that position overseas is more than was evident.

Your probably right you know.

I remember a night I was out & I saw Godfrey out.

I saw him & said "Godders" - Very friendly like but he said "do u have a problem mate?"

I just left it but I wish I did smack him!!!!!

[QueenC 74]

Demons 32 is right.

U have to remember, a lot of guys want to beat up footy players. Not sure why - Make a name for themselves or something....

Anyway, Brock did the right thing & all the people who are 2nd guessing him are crazy!

Sh*t happens. Knock out or be knocked out.

Especially if your a footballer...

That may well be true if and when it happens here.....

But I don't think that argument flies when you are getting into barneys in Europe!!!

And while I respect Brock and his comments may well be the truth, that it was self defence, twice, and all, the unfortunate side is that it does leave a number of questions hanging over his judgement at this point in time. Of course that could well be simply because he is still only twenty-one, and probably got himself into a situation he couldn't get out of (as I have said before, I have been involved in a bar brawl that was certainly not of my doing and have some sympathy for our boys).

My only thought though is that that explanation could definitely be used once, but twice involving the same people within a week is pushing it just a little.

However at the end of the day hopefully lessons have been learned and we all move on !!!