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
