What flicked Dermie's switch

[goswannie14]

Interesting article in the Hun today by Dermott Brereton.

Adds a new view to Halls "brain snap".

It was the vision of Staker placing his arms around Hall before the punch that triggered my memories.

Once again I must stipulate that violence of that nature is intolerable.

But I wondered why Staker held him when the ball was way off. How many times had Hall told him to stop?

Then I began to wonder why we condone this type of cheating?

Fair enough if there is a marking contest and players become entangled in a grapple and eventually grab an instinctive hold of their opponent in a frantic effort..

But why do we laud a player who knowingly holds his opponent to get an upper hand in the contest?

We accept that holding is just part of the game. Well, it's not.

Holding appears a common thread leading to on-field violence.

The three players I dealt with were all serial offenders at holding when I went to lead.

What flicked Dermie's switch

[TheGrimReaper]

Great article.
I've always had respect for Dermie. Onya Dermie.

[CureTheSane]

Possibly some reason in what Dermie said.

I'm surprised that I haven't ventured down that road of finding excuses for what Hall did.
Whilst it doesn't condone the hit, there was obviously some kind of provocation.
To what extent we probably won't know until Hall retires....

[anniswan]

Well, my opinion has been sort of vindicated. Even there were those on here that put me down.

[goswannie14]

My frustration has been that if the umpire was close enough to see the hit, why didn't he see the holding??? If the appropriate free had been paid, then this all wouldn't have happened. Although the broken wrist probably would have still happened.

[573v30]

My frustration has been that if the umpire was close enough to see the hit, why didn't he see the holding??? If the appropriate free had been paid, then this all wouldn't have happened. Although the broken wrist probably would have still happened.

As it's Barry Hall, the umps just let it go and wait for a free kick to be paid against him. Lucky for the white maggots, they found something they could report.

[ScottH]

It's the 3rd time I've heard this type of argument in the last few weeks. Defenders seem to get away with all sorts of niggling off the ball. Just look at Hunter/MOL a couple of years ago. Same sort of annoying niggling tactics. Hunter got away with it. If MOL had of struck out, who'd have been the bad guy.

I wonder if there is any guilt running through Stakers mind. Something must have happened to casue the brain snap, what we saw on TV is only the tip of the iceberg IMO.

[Wardy]

Well, my opinion has been sort of vindicated. Even there were those on here that put me down.

I'm with you on this one Annie - Staker was holding onto Hall, touching him up, deliberatly pushing into him when the ball was no where near them - why? I realise his job on the night was to get under Halls skin, using what ever means possible (cheating if need be) - he did that - but why didnt the umps stop this rubbish when they were so close too them?. In the end though I'm sure Worsfeld would have been praising Staker for getting Hall so upset that he clocked him (and hence suspended). Dermie used top cop the same type of attention from defenders as Baz does now - so he does know what he's talking about. (unlike 99% of media commentators) my real concern is when Baz returns - he will be a marked man and defenders will be doing their utmost to get at him , he wont be game enough to do anything, he will be under tight scrutiny by the umps, as I have said in previous threads, I wouldnt be surprised if he just says "enoughs enough!" and give it all away( I do hope that I'm wrong)

[TheGrimReaper]

It's the 3rd time I've heard this type of argument in the last few weeks. Defenders seem to get away with all sorts of niggling off the ball. Just look at Hunter/MOL a couple of years ago. Same sort of annoying niggling tactics. Hunter got away with it. If MOL had of struck out, who'd have been the bad guy.

I wonder if there is any guilt running through Stakers mind. Something must have happened to casue the brain snap, what we saw on TV is only the tip of the iceberg IMO.

It could explain why Staker is not doing the media rounds.

Guilty conscience perhaps?

[NMWBloods]

I'm with you on this one Annie - Staker was holding onto Hall, touching him up, deliberatly pushing into him when the ball was no where near them - why? I realise his job on the night was to get under Halls skin, using what ever means possible (cheating if need be) - he did that - but why didnt the umps stop this rubbish when they were so close too them?. In the end though I'm sure Worsfeld would have been praising Staker for getting Hall so upset that he clocked him (and hence suspended). Dermie used top cop the same type of attention from defenders as Baz does now - so he does know what he's talking about.

Swans opponents, particularly in the midfield, cop the same thing every week too. If a player was punched every time they did it then Crouch wouldn't have played single full game in his career.

I think all negative tactics should be taken out of the game, but I've said the same thing for a long time.

[NMWBloods]

It could explain why Staker is not doing the media rounds.

Guilty conscience perhaps?

Why would he want to do the media rounds?

[Wardy]

Swans opponents, particularly in the midfield, cop the same thing every week too. If a player was punched every time they did it then Crouch wouldn't have played single full game in his career.

I think all negative tactics should be taken out of the game, but I've said the same thing for a long time.

thats a fair point Bloods - I should have been less one eyed when it comes to Hall and forwards. Still think that Baza has been given the rough end of the pineapple by the media and the precious leadership group.

[NMWBloods]

thats a fair point Bloods - I should have been less one eyed when it comes to Hall and forwards. Still think that Baza has been given the rough end of the pineapple by the media and the precious leadership group.

The media maybe in parts (it is quite an exceptional case, but I think there was too much hysteria). The leadership group I agree - if they want to do anything they should keep it behind closed doors. No need whatsoever to talk to the media about their views.

[Wardy]

The media maybe in parts (it is quite an exceptional case, but I think there was too much hysteria). The leadership group I agree - if they want to do anything they should keep it behind closed doors. No need whatsoever to talk to the media about their views.

Yeah that is what makes the leadership group "Blood Brothers" thing seem hollow. On the one hand they make out that they stick with the boys through thick and thin - offering unconditional support and encouragment - and yet when one of their own does something stupid - they hang him out to dry and publicly - that isnt being supportive or encouraging - all seems a bit contrary

[TheHood]

Yeah that is what makes the leadership group "Blood Brothers" thing seem hollow. On the one hand they make out that they stick with the boys through thick and thin - offering unconditional support and encouragment - and yet when one of their own does something stupid - they hang him out to dry and publicly - that isnt being supportive or encouraging - all seems a bit contrary

Personally the Bloods Ethos thing makes me cringe a bit, however I think Barry is going through the NECESSARY suffer stage before the welcome back support phase commences.

I think he was provoked and the umps have cruelled what would have been an even shinier career, but he ramifications of that single punch are frustratingly enormous.

I am a bit of a believer in creating your own luck so don't think he would have broken his wrist if he hadn't clocked Staker. If my theory is true, then here's the disappointment:

BH back from surgery and great offseason work
BH writes article about how he's at peace with Umps
BH starts taking 10+ marks again and kicking bags
BH winning back his reputation as a great AFL reform story
Swans flying, no need to upset the apple cart
Swans flying under the radar again and ready to pounce on the competition in 2008
Swans looking good to go down to Geelong and beat the premiers

In 2008, a single well connected punch from a superstar has caused a lot of very unnecessary problems (some of them intangible).

I don't think he has yet earned the right of their support. Who was he supporting when he indulged in a bit of boxing on national TV?