Ext User(David Clayton)
01-11-2005, 09:11 AM
http://www.theage.com.au/news/geoff-mcclure/disgrace-star-berates-the-stars/2005/10/31/1130720479541.html
Disgrace! Star berates the stars
By Geoff McClure
November 1, 2005
THE international rules series may be over but given the rough-house
tactics employed by the Australians against their Irish opponents, it
would seem we haven't heard the last of it. And that almost certainly will
be the case now, once the footy world has had time to absorb the contents
of a stunning email written by a current senior AFL player, so far
unnamed, that was sent to radio station SEN and aired on the program
Ralph, Serge and the Big Man. In the note, the player describes Friday
night's game as an embarrassment and "a complete disgrace" and is
particularly scathing about many players who he said "would not even
contemplate taking on the likes of (Glenn) Archer, (Jonathan) Brown or
(Barry) Hall but suddenly they grow balls against an opposition who are
not used to physical violence".
The author of the note, who singles out coach Kevin Sheedy and co-captain
Chris Johnson for special criticism, said he was so angry at what he saw
that he switched his television off at half-time and refused to watch the
second half. SEN said yesterday the show's producer verified the note
before it was read on air, the player confirming he had written it, but to
protect his club wanted to remain anonymous. The player was contacted by
the producer yesterday and asked if he was prepared to be identified in
The Age, but he declined, although he was happy for it to be known he is a
Victorian-based player and previously has represented Australia in
international rules competition. What he said
Dear Ralph, Serge & Scotty,
As a senior AFL player, last night (Friday) brought huge embarrassment to
myself and many others. I hope you saw the game (well actually, I hope you
didn't). I witnessed many AFL players who in our 2005 season - if I can
quote Martin Pike - would be far too scared to sleep with the light off.
Players who would not even contemplate taking on Archer, Brown or Hall but
suddenly they grow balls against an opposition who are not used to
physical violence. They made the game/series a complete disgrace! Kevin
Sheedy loses my respect, Chris Johnson who is a captain, is now in the
papers saying, 'I am sorry'... Please! He is supposed to be a leader as a
captain, but maybe he isn't. The game was played far from within the right
spirit. Trent Croad pushing an official - huge lack of respect! This side
is an International Rules side. Most definitely NOT an All Australian
Team! I will next time turn to soccer, a 1-0 result in a great spirited
game (between Adelaide and Melbourne), which is much better than what I
witnessed in the junk served up by the Australian side last night. An
utter disgrace! I couldn't even watch the second half.
Disgrace! Star berates the stars
By Geoff McClure
November 1, 2005
THE international rules series may be over but given the rough-house
tactics employed by the Australians against their Irish opponents, it
would seem we haven't heard the last of it. And that almost certainly will
be the case now, once the footy world has had time to absorb the contents
of a stunning email written by a current senior AFL player, so far
unnamed, that was sent to radio station SEN and aired on the program
Ralph, Serge and the Big Man. In the note, the player describes Friday
night's game as an embarrassment and "a complete disgrace" and is
particularly scathing about many players who he said "would not even
contemplate taking on the likes of (Glenn) Archer, (Jonathan) Brown or
(Barry) Hall but suddenly they grow balls against an opposition who are
not used to physical violence".
The author of the note, who singles out coach Kevin Sheedy and co-captain
Chris Johnson for special criticism, said he was so angry at what he saw
that he switched his television off at half-time and refused to watch the
second half. SEN said yesterday the show's producer verified the note
before it was read on air, the player confirming he had written it, but to
protect his club wanted to remain anonymous. The player was contacted by
the producer yesterday and asked if he was prepared to be identified in
The Age, but he declined, although he was happy for it to be known he is a
Victorian-based player and previously has represented Australia in
international rules competition. What he said
Dear Ralph, Serge & Scotty,
As a senior AFL player, last night (Friday) brought huge embarrassment to
myself and many others. I hope you saw the game (well actually, I hope you
didn't). I witnessed many AFL players who in our 2005 season - if I can
quote Martin Pike - would be far too scared to sleep with the light off.
Players who would not even contemplate taking on Archer, Brown or Hall but
suddenly they grow balls against an opposition who are not used to
physical violence. They made the game/series a complete disgrace! Kevin
Sheedy loses my respect, Chris Johnson who is a captain, is now in the
papers saying, 'I am sorry'... Please! He is supposed to be a leader as a
captain, but maybe he isn't. The game was played far from within the right
spirit. Trent Croad pushing an official - huge lack of respect! This side
is an International Rules side. Most definitely NOT an All Australian
Team! I will next time turn to soccer, a 1-0 result in a great spirited
game (between Adelaide and Melbourne), which is much better than what I
witnessed in the junk served up by the Australian side last night. An
utter disgrace! I couldn't even watch the second half.