On and Off Field Banter
AFL Football, is a passionate game .
Just ask the Players, Coaches , Support Staff and Fans .
It can unite and divide. Family loyalties ,can even be tested, and friendship bonds breached.
At the conclusion of the match , after a great physical and mental contest ,there is usually only one winner , unless , extraordinary circumstances , deliver a rare draw.
Sometimes passions ignite ,and friendly banter , can turn ugly and vicious , both on and off the field.
Witness , Friday night's fiery clash , between St Kilda defender Steven Baker, and Geelong forward Steve Johnson. Baker , finished the night with stitches in a blackened and cut eye, arguably delivered, by Johnson's elbow to it .
Both are competitive , hard players , both niggle each other, on and off the field . It is their accepted ,style of play.
Fans enjoy the spectacle , many , attended the game in absymal weather conditions, in their football jumpers, jerseys, guernseys.
Fans don't want to see, on field spats , carried on after the Game .
Leave it on the field , don't turn it into a media circus , following the Match .
Another annoying , even predatory feature of Friday's game, was the reaction of Geelong players , to the umpires decisions.
Significantly, the losing side's players , argued vociferously with every decision.
Its a very unattractive feature of the modern game, which intimidates umpires, and draws their attention away , from the game being played. Surely , the umpires decision is sacrosanct, and the AFL tribunal , is there to uphold any breaches, of fair play .
A loser should accept the ump's decision, and be gracious in defeat. It's an inspirational feature, of our great game .
Don't make fans regret , wearing their jumper , jersey, guernsey .
Saints jumper , jersey , guernsey
Tags: AFL, afl football, afl tribunal, banter, breaches, extraordinary circumstances, fair play, family loyalties, fans, football jumpers, friendship bonds, geelong, great game, guernsey, jumper, media circus, On and Off Field Banter, passionate, passions, spats, st kilda, steven baker, stitches, weather conditions