Tragedy ...

[Rod_]

Just walked in - shocked

Sorry for the family.

Rod_

[Bron]

We noticed something happening (I think) a good 15 minutes or more before the end of the game. From where we were (in front of the race) we could see CPR being given. We couldn't see all the players and at first thought one of the players was in trouble. It was clear that it was a bad situation. CPR went on for the duration of the rest of the match. The announcement cancelling KTK came on well after we saw an issue. We couldn't see why they didn't stop the game. Players and officials were clearly devastated. As soon as the siren went, players slumped to the ground. Non-playing players came out. Blankets were gathered to provide privacy. They sent people away from the stands. Even before the end of the game, we were pretty sure it was awful.
Players came out of the race ... Saddo was clearly in tears and others came up after.
I think it is disgraceful that the game would have continued.

[Bear]

Originally posted by Bron
I think it is disgraceful that the game would have continued.

What are you suggesting should happen?

[Damien]

Originally posted by Bron
I think it is disgraceful that the game would have continued.

I can't see how it could have been stopped.

[Bron]

The players knew someone was in serious trouble. Frankly, that they stayed on the field was amazing. I couldn't focus on the game, watching somone (albeit from a distance) get CPR.

I take your point, do they cancel the game? But it hardly seems fair. Players were clearly upset, knowing what had happened and what was happening. Immediately that the siren went, several players dropped to the ground.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Bron
Immediately that the siren went, several players dropped to the ground.

This could also have been because they had just lost a game they shouldn't have and were completely unaware of the tragedy.

[BAM_BAM]

most comments in this thread have been what I would expect given the circumstances, but for some. Take a good hard look at yourself.

I feel so ill and am still shaking after seeing what I did. The players would undoubtedly have known that CPR was being performed. It was taking place where the players usually get their rub down. In front of the bench. Those players sitting on the bench would have viewed everything and would have had to walk around the medical staff to get to the playing field.

I don't mean to offend anyone with my comments above, but what we saw tonight was very distressing. At least it was for me. If you're going to dis the players at least do it in another thread.

My deepest sympathies go out to Wally's family and the club as a whole.

[Bron]

They knew. Immediately afterwards, they were immediately focused on what was happening. Players had come off the bench during the period that things were happening.

[simone]

some, maybe not all, but some of the players knew exactly what was going on.

[Mattyt]

NMW it just feels to me you're trying to take a particularly hard stance on what happened. A footy club is an extremely close knit thing, to lose someone that has been at a club for close to 20 years is a huge occurence. I'm convinced the players knew what was going on, and although not an excuse for a loss, it possibly sheds a whole new light on what took place.

[Bear]

Originally posted by Bron
The players knew someone was in serious trouble. Frankly, that they stayed on the field was amazing. I couldn't focus on the game, watching somone (albeit from a distance) get CPR.

I take your point, do they cancel the game? But it hardly seems fair. Players were clearly upset, knowing what had happened and what was happening. Immediately that the siren went, several players dropped to the ground.

Tradgedy aside, and I accept that you are feeling sad, but you are talking complete nonsense.

The incident happened at least half way through the last 1/4 when we had already allowed NM to get within a few goals... What's the excuse for the first half of the last 1/4??

[Mattyt]

"I think obviously the game itself is disappointing, but the fact is they are shattered about what happened (to Wally)," Ireland said.

"He has been one of those blokes who is extremely important to the players, as head trainer he probably has a special relationship with the players.

"As well as obviously working hard with them to get them out on the ground there are a lot of them who are particularly close to him.

"His wife died not long ago and every player on the list went to that funeral so they hold him in very high regard and are obviously pretty devastated by it."

That's from Andrew Ireland.

I find it highly doubtful that players didn't know what was going on.

[Bron]

Originally posted by Bear
Tradgedy aside, and I accept that you are feeling sad, but you are talking complete nonsense.

The incident happened at least half way through the last 1/4 when we had already allowed NM to get within a few goals... What's the excuse for the first half of the last 1/4??

If you wished to be hard nosed ... we would have rallied after that short lapse. They scored the critical points after Wally was in trouble. If someone you were close to was in trouble, would you keep playing A GAME, or would you be more concerned with A LIFE. I know what my decision would be.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Mattyt
NMW it just feels to me you're trying to take a particularly hard stance on what happened. A footy club is an extremely close knit thing, to lose someone that has been at a club for close to 20 years is a huge occurence. I'm convinced the players knew what was going on, and although not an excuse for a loss, it possibly sheds a whole new light on what took place.

I'm not trying to take a hard stance or push it one way or another. I am simply trying to understand what happened and where it happened and what effect it had.

I simply can't see based on what has been said that it really is any reason why the game was lost and I think it would be disappointing to see anyone try to use this tragedy and relate it to the football result.

It was a terrible thing to happen and I think anyone there who actually witnessed it would still be in some degree of shock now and I feel for them.

However, as I said before, purely considering the football angle I don't think it really has anything to do with our capitulation happened in the last quarter. This happened in the first 10 minutes of the quarter. I also think most players don't see the interchange bench during a quarter and I can't imagine anyone telling them during the game.

If we want to separate the football angle from this and put it into a new thread then that's fine. However, then I'm not sure what the purpose of this thread is by itself would be.

[anniswan]

Originally posted by Bron
If you wished to be hard nosed ... we would have rallied after that short lapse. They scored the critical points after Wally was in trouble. If someone you were close to was in trouble, would you keep playing A GAME, or would you be more concerned with A LIFE. I know what my decision would be.

Nah Bron, our players are supposed to be machines, don't feel emotion just go our hard a do it no matter what. (that was tounge in cheek)

We lost, maybe we shouldn't have, but when one of your "football family" are in distress how can we predict how they will act, for all we know Roos (Paul) may have been too worried about Wally to be trying to coach. If that was the case then so be it, I would rather have a compassionate coach/team/support squad than people that would out the game before the person.