Freo request to 'rest' players

[Ajax]

The same jet stream can mean it takes you 5 hours plus to go back in the other direction, which is really where the problem arises - post-game.

Their game is over by then - 5 hours flying is not going to hurt them. As I said, I do it all the time and it isn't a major drama. The other irksome argument that a club has 'earned the right' to rest half their team is nonsense. As members of football clubs we have paid to see real games of football, not an irrelevant farce where one team doesn't care one way or another what happens. Members should get a refund and the games should be free to the public - these games are nothing more than junk time.

[Nico]

Their game is over by then - 5 hours flying is not going to hurt them. As I said, I do it all the time and it isn't a major drama. The other irksome argument that a club has 'earned the right' to rest half their team is nonsense. As members of football clubs we have paid to see real games of football, not an irrelevant farce where one team doesn't care one way or another what happens. Members should get a refund and the games should be free to the public - these games are nothing more than junk time.

I am with you Ajax. Tantamount to tanking by Freo. I am sure the TV stations don't like the resting of players. Imagine if Chelsea rested players against lower teams in the EPL. The fans would be outraged.

I don't get how a national competition can be so manipulated in so many ways.

[Plugger46]

I'm in Freo's camp. I'm not convinced it'll work for them but it's the definition of a dead rubber.

Did any of you have an issue when we rested players against Richmond in R23 last year? Didn't think so.

[rb4x]

Well if the Roos and the Dockers can rest players this week then what about the Eagles. If the Hawks and Swans both win and the Eagles lose to the Saints they will drop to fourth and still have a home qualifying final albeit now against the Dockers while they might relish the thought of the Hawks and the Swans belting the crap out of each other at the MCG.This resting of players is opening up a real can of worms.

[Nico]

I'm in Freo's camp. I'm not convinced it'll work for them but it's the definition of a dead rubber.

Did any of you have an issue when we rested players against Richmond in R23 last year? Didn't think so.

IIRC I did not agree with it.

[mcsquirta]

It's pretty safe to say that Mike Fitzpatrick doesn't have a stake in William Hill or Centrebet otherwise the VFL wouldn't allow Freo or especially Norf the r&r.
Richmond should just rest Deledo, they usually don't win without him.

[Zlatorog]

I don't mind that Freo is resting players, but I don't like it that Kangaroos are allowed to do the same. I saw a video on AFL website where there was a comment about this precedence because it impacts the ladder positions of others at the bottom of the top 8. Next year we might have lots of that "match fixing" situations. I still remember how angry some supporters were last year when we decided to do the same allowing Richmond to win and closed the top 8 for others.

[Bloodthirsty]

I don't mind that Freo is resting players, but I don't like it that Kangaroos are allowed to do the same. I saw a video on AFL website where there was a comment about this precedence because it impacts the ladder positions of others at the bottom of the top 8. Next year we might have lots of that "match fixing" situations. I still remember how angry some supporters were last year when we decided to do the same allowing Richmond to win and closed the top 8 for others.

It's only bad when the Swans do it. If Hawthorn were to do it, it would be brilliant strategy & a well earned right.

[Ocker]

I am with you Ajax. Tantamount to tanking by Freo. I am sure the TV stations don't like the resting of players. Imagine if Chelsea rested players against lower teams in the EPL. The fans would be outraged.

I don't get how a national competition can be so manipulated in so many ways.

+1

[rojo]

If you think you have to rest players in order to win, maybe you don't deserve to win.

I think Adelaide have a right to be annoyed!

[undy]

Could mean that North earn themselves a trip to Sydney if we lose.

[Triple B]

Could mean that North earn themselves a trip to Sydney if we lose.

That would be a considerable silver lining if we were to lose on the weekend. Would like nothing more than handing Norf their asses on a platter in a final. I'm almost at the stage I'd prefer a Hawks flag than a Norf flag.

I detest them and their coach is at the top of the list...

[YvonneH]

I don't mind that Freo is resting players, but I don't like it that Kangaroos are allowed to do the same.

I agree with this sentiment as that can impact the other ladder positions, but I no longer see the AFL and integrity as one and the same and should not be mentioned in the same sentence.
There argument may well be that if one team is allowed to do it then they cannot deny another team doing the same thing (as long as it is not the bottom teams as that is looked on as tanking).
Pity they didn't take the same stance when they took COLA from us but left the Giants with theirs and hijacked the academy system. A quote below from Gillon in the age below pertaining to resting players.

The rules haven't been broken, and the rules are difficult to change to pick up all the circumstances like this."

"How do you not allow it if it's within the rules?

"[If] you say 'OK let's manufacture a rule that actually stops this. The issue is actually one of implementation because any rule you have has to apply in every situation."


Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/afl/...#ixzz3kio0bHTZ
Follow us: @canberratimes on Twitter | CanberraTimes on Facebook

[jono2707]

Surely we couldn't punish a team that hasn't broken any rules could we???????????

Hmmmm.....

[AnnieH]

The hypocrisy is gobsmacking.