A Sorry Day at Henson Park

[ShortHalfHead]

I was at Henson Park today and watched the Premier Cup 18's match Pennant Hills and Balmain. Pennant Hills were too strong but I was disgusted in what I saw. I was standing behind the Balmain bench and throughout the game (second half at least) heard the sledging on Demons players coming from the coaching staff. The game erupted into a few all-in brawls and the game was abandoned (I think) close to full time when the umpires called a halt to it. Even saw a runner being punched. I know nought about either side and have no affilitaion to either team. Sure, boys will be boys, but when it gets the goading by the coaching/support staff, it is a sad day for AFL.
I don't know if it is a one-off by Balmain. I hope so, but I also hope the AFL takes serious steps to make sure it never happens again.

[unconfuseme]

I heard something about this today, and not a totally unexpected report, based on limited experience.

Balmain 18's are mostly 16's so this is appalling and reprehensible behaviour!

It is really a glorified junior competition, with many teams fielding under age players, and no junior club would stand for coaching appointments that abide by those prehistoric antics.

Rest assured that the AFL will do nothing ... it's up to the parents at the club, and surely they are aware of the issues ... if we wanted that crap in our football, we would be playing league!

[knownothing]

I was at the same game, in the second half, but disagree with a lot of your take take on it. Most of the game seemed to be played in a pretty good spirit. Penno won easily but balmain seemed to play reasonably - had no bench.

There had been quite a bit of swearing by the penno players without the umpires penalising or yellow carding anyone.There was also quite a bit of talk from the balmain bench - but it seemed pretty good humored - eg bad kick 15, you wont make the distance - that sort of thing. Quite strangely for sydney footy i heard a balmain official applaud a couple of really good things the penno players did - including a particuarly good goal from one of the swans scholarship players (James Lewtis? very impressive player)

In the last quarter i saw a pennant hills official and a balmain player get into a slanging match. There was definitely no punch thrown by the balmain player - and the ump was right there. This was after the penno official had run into the middle of a bit of pushing between both teams and seemed to push a balmain player, or at least that what most of the crowd seemed to think. Umps did nothing. This set off the balmain bench at the penno official.

A bit later a fight broke out - one of the balmain players copped an absolute gobfull from some of the opposing crowd (which was pretty choice). Then the game ended and the kids shook hands.

Aterwards i was talking to some penno parents who seemed more concerned about selection complaints (usual stuff about how good thier kid is and why isnt he playing at full forward or wherever).

Anyway thats what i saw.

[unconfuseme]

I was at the same game, in the second half, but disagree with a lot of your take take on it. Most of the game seemed to be played in a pretty good spirit. Penno won easily but balmain seemed to play reasonably - had no bench.

There had been quite a bit of swearing by the penno players without the umpires penalising or yellow carding anyone.There was also quite a bit of talk from the balmain bench - but it seemed pretty good humored - eg bad kick 15, you wont make the distance - that sort of thing. Quite strangely for sydney footy i heard a balmain official applaud a couple of really good things the penno players did - including a particuarly good goal from one of the swans scholarship players (James Lewtis? very impressive player)

In the last quarter i saw a pennant hills official and a balmain player get into a slanging match. There was definitely no punch thrown by the balmain player - and the ump was right there. This was after the penno official had run into the middle of a bit of pushing between both teams and seemed to push a balmain player, or at least that what most of the crowd seemed to think. Umps did nothing. This set off the balmain bench at the penno official.

A bit later a fight broke out - one of the balmain players copped an absolute gobfull from some of the opposing crowd (which was pretty choice). Then the game ended and the kids shook hands.

Aterwards i was talking to some penno parents who seemed more concerned about selection complaints (usual stuff about how good thier kid is and why isnt he playing at full forward or wherever).
Anyway thats what i saw.

...hmmm, see, it's just glorified junior football!

... thanks kn ... the report I heard was sketchy and abreviated, but the fact that the umpires chose to finish the game early is indictment enough ... they are still kids, and any rubbish on the field is a reflection of the way they are being coached.

The adults on the side lines need to have a good look in the mirror!

Hopefully both clubs take responsibility, reprimand anyone invloved in these incidents and nip it in the bud.

It is not being tolerated at junior level, and that is what is giving us a point of difference and advantage over the other codes.

Maybe we can blame it on the ghost of Tommy Raudonikis this time, but we really don't need to bring back the biff!

[ShortHalfHead]

There was also quite a bit of talk from the balmain bench - but it seemed pretty good humored - eg bad kick 15, you wont make the distance - that sort of thing.

In the last quarter i saw a pennant hills official and a balmain player get into a slanging match. There was definitely no punch thrown by the balmain player - and the ump was right there.

A bit later a fight broke out - one of the balmain players copped an absolute gobfull from some of the opposing crowd (which was pretty choice). Then the game ended and the kids shook hands.

Aterwards i was talking to some penno parents who seemed more concerned about selection complaints (usual stuff about how good thier kid is and why isnt he playing at full forward or wherever).

Anyway thats what i saw.

We might have been at a different game KN. I see by looking at you past posts that Balmain figure in many of them, so I can see why you are defensive.

"Good humoured stuff from the bench" Well, when coaches start yelling out "You won't make the distance" "bad kick" etc etc from an official of the club, I don't see it as humour. And let me tell you, I heard a lot worse coming from them. Anyhow, we beg to differ. Will see if any players are cited.
BTW, I thought the young umpires did a reasonable job. I didn't hear the "swearing" by Penno, but I was behind the fence. Maybe those inside the fence heard it !

[ShortHalfHead]

One might assume that with Balmain being mentioned in 12 tribunal cases (out of 30 or so Sydney Wide) that:

A) Umpires hate Balmain
or
B) Balmain have a disciplinary problem

Not involved at all with any club that plays them, so I can't give an answer.

[shinerunner]

Going back to my junior days playing at baulkham hills and at bangor tigers. Playing the junior Glebe side was always a physical encounter and at times over the top and unnessessary. maybe this is how players are tought to play at glebe.however punches and other such unprovocked violence where a common theme against the glebe footy sides.
You may be wondering why or how this relates to the balmain penno incident
but much of the balmain side is made up from the 2008 glebe junior footy side
a new fresh start for these players at balmain may be wat they need maybe someon needs to give these players a wake up call before they tarnish the image of afl in sydney

[chaz]

One might assume that with Balmain being mentioned in 12 tribunal cases (out of 30 or so Sydney Wide) that:

A) Umpires hate Balmain
or
B) Balmain have a disciplinary problem

Not involved at all with any club that plays them, so I can't give an answer.

the umpires have always hated balmain

[The Purse]

Maybe the case might have something to do with the muppet GM of the club there??? He constantly abusing them.

[Cheese Cake 69]

Maybe the case might have something to do with the muppet GM of the club there??? He constantly abusing them.

Unfair comments there mate. Easy to have a stab from behind the PC.

[Dunger]

Unfair comments there mate. Easy to have a stab from behind the PC.

The GM does the same thing to the umpires from behind the side line.

[The Purse]

But very true comments. As far as having a stab behind a PC, I have had a go at him face to face over his antics too.

[cartman48]

A Balmain Div 2 player was reported three time against us and managed just 4 weeks total suspension despite a head but and leaving the bench after a red card to get involved in another fight so yes I don't believe the AFL is doing all they can to clean up all levels of the game!

[Remember Me]

A Balmain Div 2 player was reported three time against us and managed just 4 weeks total suspension despite a head but and leaving the bench after a red card to get involved in another fight so yes I don't believe the AFL is doing all they can to clean up all levels of the game!

You might want to clarify the circumstances behind him doing that. There is obviously an issue with umpires but who would want to umpire?? And especially your sharks? with the abuse that is yelled at ump's from your sidelines (Gwawly)and in particular out of your mouth. Just because your getting beaten (ressies) dosnt always mean the umpires are to blame. Wake up to yourself cartman48.
Cause ive had you umpire us and not only CANT YOU but your miles behind the play, for obvious reasons.

[ShortHalfHead]

A sorry ending to the 18's CC GF. Umpires ended it about 9 mins into the last quarter. Disgraceful performance by Southern Power....and even a more disgraceful display by their coach. Surely the AFL will have to take action.
Congrats to Uni on their win. At least they went out to play footy.