Cheap Shot

I'll admit, there are times when I would like to leap over the fence at the Football and introduce my palm to someone's face. There are other times I'd like to turn around and do the same to an opposition's fan. But I can't. And I won't...for two simple reasons;
1) I'm a total wuss and
2) Violence has no place in Football (or pretty much anywhere for that matter).

But history dictates otherwise in the world of AFL. And more recently, from within the Richmond Football Club. This weekend's match against Greater Western Sydney will more than likely result in another Tigers man on the sidelines for a few weeks, after an extremely cheap shot was taken by Richmond midfielder Reece Conca against GWS Giant Devon Smith. 

Now that he has some time on his hands, perhaps Tyrone Vickery can get a damn hair cut!

This pathetic and foolish act ices the cake on an embarrassing week for the Tigers, with forward Tyrone Vickery sidelined for four weeks for an unnecessary strike on West Coast great Dean Cox a week before. Watching the footage of each attack indicates that there may be an epic brain fade happening down in the Tiger den, with players obviously not remembering that whatever they do is documented on just about every media platform one can get their hands on. Not to mention the fact that if their own stupidity prevails, they're more than likely to receive a hefty fine or even a few weeks on the bench, as well as put a target on their back. It is embarrassing to a Club, to its dedicated fans and to the code itself when players indulge in callous acts that have little to do with the game itself.

I have watched the footage of Conca's attack on Smith several times now, and I can't count the amount of times I said "who does that?". For those of you who have not seen the incident, Conca was coming off the ground to the bench after a brief scuffle with Smith, which saw Conca's jumper tangled over his head. There was not much in it. A standard wrestling match between players who had perhaps mouthed off at one another during play. Nothing to get your shorts in a strop over. Surrounded by two umpires and with the cameras firmly fixated on him, Conca ran up behind an unaware Smith, and struck him hard across the back of the head. Smith fell to his knees as Conca threw his arms to his sides as if to say "what did I do?". Commentators of the game were rife with confusion and astonishment at Conca's cheap shot, immediately saying he will be reported for his stupidity. When Reece was asked if he would like to issue an apology to Smith, he reluctantly offered up a very heartless "sorry mate... there you go".
Really? That's it? I'd say it was a dog act, but dogs are loyal. 

Reece Conca takes a very cheap shot on GWS' Devon Smith on Saturday

So what does it say about a Footy player? Clearly they are aware of the ramifications that come with committing such an act, and clearly they are aware that they are being watched by thousands of people across the globe. We have seen so many incidents over time in our great game that have sometimes even resulted in a change of the rules. The game seems as though it isn't as "tough" as it used to be. There's not much of a chance we will see an all-in brawl like the days of old, 'the bump' is no longer just a dance from the 70's and it comes with consequences, and if you make any contact above the chest, well... you're almost certain to give away a free kick.

It really makes you wonder whether or not some of these players truly understand that playing Football is a privilege, not a right. Whether or not they grasp the concept of fair play and if they don't, then why not? What does it say about the education of players from a fair and just level, and not a 'play to win, do whatever it takes' kind of level? When a player from a team you love makes a mistake but is able to take responsibility or you can clearly see it was an error in judgement, it's okay - we can usually deal with this and all is forgotten. But when a player engages in an act that makes you embarrassed or disappoints you, anyone and everyone will chime in and usually you end up the target for an unwarranted Facebook attack or rant at their expense. I know I give it to a lot of my supporter friends when their players do idiotic things on the field, but I also am more than happy to have a rant about my own team, should they do something to embarrass me as a supporter (and trust me, there has been plenty).

Chris Judd and his chicken wing, Big Bad Barry Hall and his fist of fury, Hayden Ballantyne and his little man complex, Jarryd Brennan's headbutting antics and Mitch Robinson's well.. Mitch Floginson in general. And let's of course not forget the nine match ban on former St. Kilda player Steven Baker for repeated offences against Geelong's Steve Johnson (Baker was later banned from playing Football for life after just one match for Mornington Peninsula after his prominent AFL career had ended) are just a few of the incidents that have seen the game brought into disrepute for unnecessary and sometimes extremely dangerous conduct on the field. These are the types of incidents that are ruining our game. Not only for other players and Clubs, but for the fans too. And I think this is something that needs a little more attention across the board, to ensure that these types of behaviours don't continue on the field. Should we impose harsher penalties on players for behind-play misconduct? Are we too harsh as it is? Or should we just continue to allow players to do whatever it is they feel they have to to win the ball or the game? Is this really the type of price we want to pay for a win? Where's the merit and pride in that? I know these blokes have talent and skill, so why are so many of them starting to throw this by the wayside?
I don't want to pay to see men embarrassing everyone by trying to rip each other to shreds. If I wanted to see that, I'd watch NRL. 

It will be a sad, sad day in AFL history when our game becomes so void of talented play and so full of gutless wonders. 

And so I present to you this week's FLOG OF THE WEEK:

   

    RICHMOND'S REECE CONCA

This week's FLOG OF THE WEEK has plenty to scratch his noodle about

Coming up on The Flog, I'll get to chatting with Collingwood's Travis Cloke on dealing with the haters, who's the most annoying down at Magpie land and what makes him tick.... 

Flog on, my friends...

- Lady K x0x