The Smooch duck....

[wolftone57]

He was called out by the commentators, I'm guessing Wolfy was just reiterating that. I don't know either way, but sheesh I've seen that skinny fellow back into packs and throw his body at things he really shouldn't- so if he ducked once I really don't care, I think too much gets made of individual instances of things- if it's a habitual problem then okay, but not a single incident I think too much gets made about it. To me the over analyzing of individual moments by commentary teams suggests they have too many bloody commentators and is the footy equivalent of the 24 hour news cycle.

I said at the time I thought it was unusual for him as he is a very brave player normally. I love Smooch as a player as he always gives good value! If you look at my latest post you might see that I have reviewed the incident and it looks as though he was called!

[Nico]

Play him on the ball.

[Triple B]

Play him on the ball.

Smooch or Wolfy?

[Kirkari]

Could we please stay on topic, just for a change?

I don't believe for a second he pulled out due to fear. He thought it was covered.

[liz]

I hate this a lot. It's one of the last bastions of blokeness left in this country and the sooner we get rid of this perception the better for all. If a bloke ducks his head because he has some brains and knows the consequences...then he is a poof. If he head is smashed and there is a posibilty that he might suffer long term damage..then the guy showed courage.

A bloke ducks and his manliness is questions by the over weight testorone droones in the outer or by the boys club broadcasting the game.

Couldn't agree more. It frustrates me no end when commentators go on about players pulling out of the occasional contest. There wouldn't be a player running around in the AFL that isn't tougher and more courageous than pretty much any of the footy commentators, especially those who never even played the game. Even those who did mostly played at a time when the game was nothing like as fast and frantic as it currently is. And I bet most of them chose not to contest on a few occasions during the game.

Didn't actually see the contest under discussion and won't be going back to re-watch the game. But I thought the discussion around Hunt's actions last week were well over the top.

[crackedactor]

Very unusual

Couldn't agree more. It frustrates me no end when commentators go on about players pulling out of the occasional contest. There wouldn't be a player running around in the AFL that isn't tougher and more courageous than pretty much any of the footy commentators, especially those who never even played the game. Even those who did mostly played at a time when the game was nothing like as fast and frantic as it currently is. And I bet most of them chose not to contest on a few occasions during the game.

Didn't actually see the contest under discussion and won't be going back to re-watch the game. But I thought the discussion around Hunt's actions last week were well over the top.

Teddy pulling out never! Nick Smith pulling out. never! Yet both did on Saturday. I cannot understand saturdays's game. it is almost surreal.

[giant]

I assumed at the time (or at least prayed) he was called out of it by Richards, though Richards then made a half-assed attempt to mark himself (as I recall, it bounced thru the goals but thru sheer good fortune managed to get touched along the way).

I called out in the game thread that there were a number of these types of incidents and this was nowhere near the worst of them. If we were a Melbourne club, we would be subject to some pretty bloody intense scrutiny this week.

[TPR4]

To be honest being at the game I missed this, but a Saints fan mate mentioned it to me. It'd surprise me if Smooch did duck or bail from a contest, but only because he's as dependable and tough at the contest as we have. If he didn't get called out and stuffed up, pretty sure we all know how he plays and that he'll continue to go hard. It's funny that people make a big deal of this these days, it's as hard a game as there is and they're all only human. Very easy to mention "courage", much harder to risk getting ironed out in the name of it.

[GongSwan]

Well there's courage, and then there's stupidity

[Bloody Hell]

I want to start another thread about Smith, but will attempt to hijack this one.

To address the issue at hand, I think he is a future captain. Swans Captains don't duck, therefore he was called out.

But - Smith to the midfield!

There are a number of young players coming through that could play the small defender role (particularly in the experienced Blood backline) and I think Smith is a part of the next premiership midfield. Anyone else?

Is now the time?

[GongSwan]

Smith did play in the middle when he was used as the sub after a week off and made a huge difference. As much as I like the idea, I can't think who would come ion as a small defender

[Doctor]

He was magnificent in Tassie against the Hawks in midfield. Are we going to get more out of him in that role than we do by having him try to stifle one of theirs?

[Bloody Hell]

He was magnificent in Tassie against the Hawks in midfield. Are we going to get more out of him in that role than we do by having him try to stifle one of theirs?

That's what I was thinking, could start in the tagging role...which he would excel at and see what happens.

[Bloody Hell]

Smith did play in the middle when he was used as the sub after a week off and made a huge difference. As much as I like the idea, I can't think who would come ion as a small defender

I was actually thinking Cunningham. When Smith started he didn't play back.

It's difficult for the young guns to break directly into the midfield. A good route is either through the forward or back line...which is the thought behind Smith being "promoted" to the midfield.

[GongSwan]

I was actually thinking Cunningham. When Smith started he didn't play back.

It's difficult for the young guns to break directly into the midfield. A good route is either through the forward or back line...which is the thought behind Smith being "promoted" to the midfield.

Yep, I'm on the Harry bandwagon, bring on the speed men, find out who is the quickest probably Harry, and play him/them, but to me, Harry looked to be a ready made blood