The Des Headland Outburst!

[Wardy]

I'd be surprised by (iv) from what I've heard and read of Selwood and his family.
.

But dont all families come out and say in their son's defence "he's such a nice boy & wouldnt do such things" when things like this happen? Anyway time will tell as to what happens next, but I have a strange feeling that absolutely nothing will be done and life will just go on.

[cruiser]

I have a strange feeling that absolutely nothing will be done and life will just go on.

...until the next WCE player related scandal.

[Wardy]

...until the next WCE player related scandal.

But how many more WC players scandals do there have to be before someone at the AFL says "enough" and actually does something?

[NMWBloods]

But dont all families come out and say in their son's defence "he's such a nice boy & wouldnt do such things" when things like this happen? Anyway time will tell as to what happens next, but I have a strange feeling that absolutely nothing will be done and life will just go on.

No - not because of what the family says (which I agree is normally meaningless), but from what I've heard said outside about the boys and the family.

[Nuttie & Bim]

With all of the replies posted here, I am interested how many people have kids (especially girls) and how many people have played competitive sports.

I tell you now, being a dad and having played competitive sport, if some low life piece of crap had said what is 'alleged' to have been said about my daughter I would have torn the fool a new a'hole. For those of us dads out there and most would agree firstly and always a dad, then secondly and not forever a sportman.

And yes Des may be unliked by some (can't say that I think he's that good) but as for what he did, well I am a hot head on the field and if I was in the same 'alleged' scenario yeah Selwood probably wouldn't be walking or talking.

This is from a very proud and protective father.

[Wardy]

With all of the replies posted here, I am interested how many people have kids (especially girls) and how many people have played competitive sports.

I tell you now, being a dad and having played competitive sport, if some low life piece of crap had said what is 'alleged' to have been said about my daughter I would have torn the fool a new a'hole. For those of us dads out there and most would agree firstly and always a dad, then secondly and not forever a sportman.

And yes Des may be unliked by some (can't say that I think he's that good) but as for what he did, well I am a hot head on the field and if I was in the same 'alleged' scenario yeah Selwood probably wouldn't be walking or talking.

This is from a very proud and protective father.

As I said earlier - those of us without kids really dont know what its like to defend a child - but I can understand any parents reaction considering the disgusting things that were said.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

OK, we understand how it happens, but what do you do once it has gone beyond a sledge? The comments resulted in a provoked attack. They dealt with the player that demonstrated violence, so what do they do with the one that provoked the attack?


The AFL is a workplace. There are guidelines in regard to workplace bullying and violence - and harrassment, particularly of a sexual nature, has to be dealt with.

Whether we like it or not, when these things get out of hand, it is no longer a matter of what happens on the field, stays on the field. I thought the Michael Long issue was the landmark for that.

To be honest, whilst I agree that Selwood's comments were pretty sick, his aim to unnerve his opponent worked. If he says to the tribunal "Look, I'm just wanting to put him off his game. And it worked", the AFL is therefore backing itself into having issue a social and moral statement indicating what is acceptable & what is not.

I'm sure if Selwood thought about it now, he'd be extremely embarrassed & remorseful that he said what he said, having found out the context in which it was received by Headland.

But how many other barbs are made in a match? If the opponent remains professional & doesn't bite like Headland did, how can incidents of this thing ever be documented?

JF

[Chow-Chicker]

Now Adam Selwood is free to say what he likes on the footy field and nobody can stop him. But he should also expect to suffer the consequences of what he says, whether it be a hole in his skull the size of a fist, having his teeth knocked to the back of his throat, or simply having his name dragged through the mud. Headland is suffering the consequences of his actions (and rightly so), but so should Selwood for the vile, disgusting and criminal suggestions about a 6 year old girl who happens to be Headland's daughter.

Those of you suggesting that Headland should not have reacted that way should also suggest that a player should not bleed if they have their nose busted.

I have no sympathy for what Selwood may be currently going through. he chose this ridiculous path, now he must walk it. I do however have sympathy for the way Headland felt after that putrid taunt.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Here is an interesting article something that may well have some relevance when it comes to player & supporter sledging.

http://www.ajax-usa.com/desk/ajax-and-the-jewish-issue.html

"On September 11th 2004 the fianc? of Ajax player Rafa?l van der Vaart, MTV host Sylvie Meis, was called a 'whore' by Den Haag supporters throughout their game against Ajax. The 'Sylvie Meis affair' caused a major stir in Holland. Many people now regret that the referee did not interrupt the game, like Ren? Temmink did on October 17th 2004,.........

About a month ago, the KNVB published a list of words and sounds now forbidden in stadiums. Banned are: hissing, jungle sounds, sheep sounds, the word 'Hamas' and everything referring to prostitution, genitalia, disease, religious faith and ethnic groups. In case of chants referring to any of these things, referees are allowed to call a game off. A decision that the supporters think is unfeasible. "

Sledging happens everywhere. The thing is people are unsure how to handle it. And appear extremely awkward as to how to control or stop it.

Is supporter sledging the same as player-to-player sledging? Is what is to one person mere 'banter' an offensive slur to the other?

JF

[Chow-Chicker]

To be honest, whilst I agree that Selwood's comments were pretty sick, his aim to unnerve his opponent worked. If he says to the tribunal "Look, I'm just wanting to put him off his game. And it worked", the AFL is therefore backing itself into having issue a social and moral statement indicating what is acceptable & what is not.

I'm sure if Selwood thought about it now, he'd be extremely embarrassed & remorseful that he said what he said, having found out the context in which it was received by Headland.

But how many other barbs are made in a match? If the opponent remains professional & doesn't bite like Headland did, how can incidents of this thing ever be documented?

JF

I'm not against sledging. I have encountered and engaged in it for 20 odd years in my sport. 95% of it is witty, personally insulting and at times outrageously funny. 5% of it was reprehensible and dangerously provoking. I have never resorted to such putrid thoughts or suggestions.

A well known Aussie cricketer was rumoured to have done the following to a well know NZ cricketer in the 1999 World Cup.....

The Australian cricketer stood in the field close to the NZ batsman and proceeded to "Choo, choo" like a train. It was known that the NZ cricketer had recently lost his little sister when she died in a car struck by a train. Now I find this sort of approach beyond sick, and absolutely reprehensible. And those who engage in it should suffer the erruption of emotion that may follow PLUS the ridicule of exposure.

[cookie2]

Worsfold is as big a disgrace as Selwood, he chuckled and smirked his way through an interview with Channel 7 last night - more of my thoughts here:

http://theperthfiles.blogspot.com/

[Chow-Chicker]

Here is an interesting article something that may well have some relevance when it comes to player & supporter sledging.

http://www.ajax-usa.com/desk/ajax-and-the-jewish-issue.html

Sledging happens everywhere. The thing is people are unsure how to handle it. And appear extremely awkward as to how to control or stop it.

Is supporter sledging the same as player-to-player sledging? Is what is to one person mere 'banter' an offensive slur to the other?

JF

Just have a look at when the South African cricket team was out here last time. They complained about racial taunts from sections of the crowd and Cricket Australia responded with the threat to throw any spectator out of the stadium if they were caught doing it. Times are a changing.

To me, the sort of taunts like Selwood's are no better than someone king hitting a palyer from behind. It is a dead set low act that the emoitional harm caused is equal to the physical harm caused by the cowardly act of a king hit IMO.

[hammo]

To be honest, whilst I agree that Selwood's comments were pretty sick, his aim to unnerve his opponent worked. If he says to the tribunal "Look, I'm just wanting to put him off his game. And it worked", the AFL is therefore backing itself into having issue a social and moral statement indicating what is acceptable & what is not.

I'm sure if Selwood thought about it now, he'd be extremely embarrassed & remorseful that he said what he said, having found out the context in which it was received by Headland.

But how many other barbs are made in a match? If the opponent remains professional & doesn't bite like Headland did, how can incidents of this thing ever be documented?

JF

Yeah its a shame Michael Long didn't act more "professionally" instead of speaking out when he was called a black @@@@.

[monopoly19]

A well known Aussie cricketer was rumoured to have done the following to a well know NZ cricketer in the 1999 World Cup.....

The Australian cricketer stood in the field close to the NZ batsman and proceeded to "Choo, choo" like a train. It was known that the NZ cricketer had recently lost his little sister when she died in a car struck by a train.

Chris Cairns himself denied that this was ever said to him.

[Chow-Chicker]

Chris Cairns himself denied that this was ever said to him.

I understand that, that's why I never used names. But one has to ask....how does such a story ever eventuate? Not saying that they are lying about it or protecting one another, but if someone "made up" that story, then they are sicker than the alleged exchange.