Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Aug 24, 2008
After much scrounging I was able to come up with two tickets to a "sell out" match between Hawthorn and West Coast on Sunday. What an atmosphere it was supposed to be, 44,000+ fans cheering Buddy on to kick 100 goals for the season as well as watch Michael Braun play his last Home Match.
It wasn't to be though. More than 6000 seats were left empty and those who were desperately trying to watch the match, true fans on both sides, missed out.
Perhaps it's time for the Stadiums to be able to re-sell the unused tickets, perhaps at a discounted price, at the end of the first quarter. This would allow true fans that mised out on tickets the opportunity at least to watch at least some of the match live and be with fellow supporters.
If they provided a means of reserving seats (web / phone) for those genuinely running late it should avoid any furore, those that confirm and don't show can be penalised a nominal fee for the empty seat.
Perhaps it's not such a concern in Victoria, where the sadiums are of ample size (or at least appear to be), but in W.A where you're lucky to fit 45,000 at Subiaco Oval I think it would be a welcome change for true fans of the game.
Thoughts?
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Aug 18, 2008
It was a little worrying watching the Hawks talk with each other during the breaks today. Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchelle were clearly having words, as were Osborne and Roughead. It seems everyone was frustrated with the happenings on the field and were quick to point the blame at team mates.
Was imagining things? Were they just frustrated from the raw deal they seemed to get from the umpires? Who knows, but if they don't have each others' backs in the coming weeks it could be an unhappy timat at Hawthorn in September.
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jun 18, 2008
So Aka is at it again. Apparently he has proof of tanking, but is a little scared to come up with the necessary proof, or a source, after his Michael Braun incident last season.
However, I think he raised a point worth of discussion. Is the AFL draft system flawed? The current structure certainly encourages teams that are not likely to make the finals to drop a few games in order to speed up the rebuilding process. Whether teams action on this or not is debateable, I don't think any professional sportsperson enjoys losing, even if it is for ‘the greater good'.
Aka suggested a review of the AFL's draft process and the possible introduction of a draft lottery (think NBA) to curb the issue of tanking, if in fact it exists. I can see the positives and negatives of each system.
Currently there is a window of opportunity of a club to win a premiership before their lists age and the need to wait until the secure more young talent (finish low on the ladder) to rebuild and start their climb to the top again. Sometimes the fall is substantial, sometimes not.
The lottery would ultimately break this cycle as even the top team for the year would have a chance of securing an early draft pick. The lottery order would essentially be chosen by final placement on the ladder, but that's no guarantee on what pick a club gets.
I know which system I would prefer, and it's seen on TV a few nights a week.
I expect discussion...
Posted by: admin in Untagged on
Jun 17, 2008
There are rumours that Shane Crawford's knee tenderness is much worse then the club is letting on, and some are brave enough to suggest that the brownlow medalist will not play another game in his career. The official Hawthorn Website says he is most likely a week or two away. Let's hope that the rumours are just that, and he will be fighting fit in the weeks to come.
Posted by: admin in Social, Fight on
Jun 03, 2008
It must have been big news (or a slow sports day) to make it all the way over to the back pages of the West Austalian newspaper today, but Lance Buddy Franklin has been accused of making sexually suggestive comments to a lady and later throwing the contents of his glass over the group.
The Hawthorn Football club posted a statement on their website today taking side with Buddy's version of events, whatever they may be, and have closed the matter internally.
It's easy to speculate what happened, but without being there you have either got to take the word of a lady who probably got paid for sharing her story, or that of a young footballer, out for drink after the seasons first loss; who can't seem to remeber what was said.
At the end of the day who really cares? No, women don't deserve to be treated as "pieces of meat" and the Hawthorn lads, and sportspeople in general, equally have their right to privacy.
As Mal Brown said at our work meeting a few weeks ago, these guys aren't role models, they're kids. At the end of the day Buddy is 21 years old, a kid, give him a break. Compared to some AFL footballers indescrecions lately, this one hardly seems to register on the scale.
Thoughts?
Posted by: admin in sports on
May 03, 2008
I went along to the West Coast / Carton match last night and I have to say the general attitude from the crowd was disgusting. Not a passge of play went by without 40,000 idiots booing someone or something in chorus. The booing wasn't only directed at Chis Judd, who god forbid should leave the Eagles for another club, but at everything that didn't go the Eagles way.
To be honest I don't really understand the booing of Judd. When he played for the Eagles he gave the club 100% and was even branded the best player in the league (well in W.A's media at least) for his efforts. Chris Judd has since changed the 'company' he works for and the man is a now a villain. From the abuse he got last night anyone would have thought he had been caught persuading kids to come whome with him from his local playground, not change football clubs.
The way I see it, it's like you changing jobs, going to a common function, and having your former workmates boo you upon arival and throughout the course of the night.
Can no one appreciate the performance of the opporsition, and a good game of football? Are the umpires always the reason a team loses by 7 or more goals? Can no one say, we were beaten by a better team? I don't know abot anyone else, but it's getting tedious going to games at Subi...
Whats the attitude like at other grounds around the country?
Posted by: admin in sports on
Apr 20, 2008
Just how hurt was Lake? Lake takes a regulation mark at the back of a pack, 40 or so from goal, hits the ground and suddenly 'does a hamstring'. The umpires hand the ball to Minson, who was some way from the contest, to take the kick as his replacement. Minson converted and Richmond are left with a Draw.
Obviously there is no guarantee that Lake would have missed, but going by his match performance you wouldn't think he would have kicked it.
What do you think? Was Lake's performance worthy of a Logie? What do you think about Draw's in modern AFL matches? Is there a case for 5-10 minutes extra time each way until there is a result?
Posted by: admin in Swans, Suspension, Fight on
Apr 15, 2008
Just what was Barry Hall thinking? He has been a steady performer for the Swans in the first few rounds of this season, after a pretty average 2007 and then he goes and lets his entire team down in a moment of madness (for those who have not seen the footage you can do so below).
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dsiuc169_w]
I would hate to think what would have happened if Barry Hall had really put some effort into his punch. Brent Staket was clearly dazed by the punch, and according to newspaper reports was crying on the sidelines during the match.
To top it off there was no real reason for the attack. Staker was holding Hall no more than any defender, but Hall clearly didn't like the attention. I would like to see the AFL introduce a new suspension system for attacks such as this. I think it would be fairer if the AFL added any time missed due to injury (of the attacked player) on top of the suspension handed down.
Barry Hall may end up getting off lightly due to a suspected broken wrist late in the 4th quarter. Effectively making his anticipated suspension a few weeks at most (if there is a break).
Barry Hall. Sort Yourself out.
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