#AFL Round 8 Swans vs Dons Fri 10-May at SCG #AFLSwansDons @sydneyswans

[stevoswan]

There will (or should!) be another player who is also a bit embarrassed that this Rampe stuff is even an issue.....and that is Nick Blakey.

If he had cleared the ball from defence a few seconds later (he had scope to take more time off the clock) and more effectively than ramming it down a 'well in the clear' Essendon defenders throat, Dane would never have climbed the damn goal post in the first place!

I think Nick will learn something from all this as well as Dane.....

[KTigers]

There will (or should!) be another player who is also a bit embarrassed that this Rampe stuff is even an issue.....and that is Nick Blakey.

If he had cleared the ball from defence a few seconds later (he had scope to take more time off the clock) and more effectively than ramming it down a 'well in the clear' Essendon defenders throat, Dane would never have climbed the damn goal post in the first place!

I think Nick will learn something from all this as well as Dane.....

Precisely. I had to be "calmed down" by Mrs Tigers after having a complete meltdown in my seat when I saw Blakey
kick it straight to the Essendon bloke.

[Meg]

There will (or should!) be another player who is also a bit embarrassed that this Rampe stuff is even an issue.....and that is Nick Blakey.

If he had cleared the ball from defence a few seconds later (he had scope to take more time off the clock) and more effectively than ramming it down a 'well in the clear' Essendon defenders throat, Dane would never have climbed the damn goal post in the first place!

I think Nick will learn something from all this as well as Dane.....

Blakey made a brilliant tackle first - but you are right about what he did subsequently. The fact that we won plus the OTT beat-up about Rampe has allowed Blakey to escape without external criticism (though I expect the coaches have gone though the vision with him ...).

Dean Towers must be weeping.

[liz]

Blakey made a brilliant tackle first - but you are right about what he did subsequently. The fact that we won plus the OTT beat-up about Rampe has allowed Blakey to escape without external criticism (though I expect the coaches have gone though the vision with him ...).

Dean Towers must be weeping.

Longmire was a guest coach on AFL360 yesterday, and he was asked what lessons the team had learned from the last couple of minutes (other than not to climb goal posts). That kick from Blakey was particularly highlighted (and the guilty party identified by one of the hosts). Longmire, while quick to praise Blakey for his tackle, absolutely acknowledged that the kick wasn't ideal and that this was something the team had worked through.

I figure he hasn't been singled out for greater criticism for the kick
a) because we won
b) because he's a teenager with just a handful of games under his belt.

A more experienced player and/or a different final outcome would probably have attracted more heat.

[Mel_C]

If only the talk about the umpiring in the 2016 grand final, the most important match of the season, reached this level. Get your priorities right Victorian media.

Was just about to post the same thing. I wish there was this much media hysteria after the 2016 gf.

Hopefully now that Rampe has been fined, (even though it's suspended), the case is now closed and the media can move on to the next controversy. We need Eddie to open his mouth.

[baskin]

I don’t understand how if the umpire didn’t give Rampe a 50m penalty for abuse and didn’t give a penalty for the post climb..... how can he now be fined for these actions? Does that mean every time a player is abusive, wether the umpire deems it worth a 50m penalty or not they will also be fined? My guess is the AFL has reacted to the media nonsense. Talk about an about face.

[Blood Fever]

I don’t understand how if the umpire didn’t give Rampe a 50m penalty for abuse and didn’t give a penalty for the post climb..... how can he now be fined for these actions? Does that mean every time a player is abusive, wether the umpire deems it worth a 50m penalty or not they will also be fined? My guess is the AFL has reacted to the media nonsense. Talk about an about face.

AFL hopeless and reactive. Weak as piss as usual.

[stevoswan]

My guess is the AFL has reacted to the media nonsense. Talk about an about face.

That's exactly what is was. Totally pathetic reactionary behaviour in response to the audience they hold dear.....the football journo's and fans of Victoria. Make enough noise, a la Eddie and you'll get what you want..... the sense of arrogant entitlement is sickening.

.....and I now see the AFLPA aren't too impressed by the AFL's actions in regard to this situation.

AFLPA concerned over 'excessive' Rampe fines - AFL.com.au

Paul Marsh, Chief Executive AFLPA:

"The AFLPA is concerned about the sanctions handed down to Dane Rampe," Marsh said on Tuesday night.

"With respect to the sanction relating to comments directed at an umpire, whilst not condoning these comments, they happened in the spur of the moment, Dane was clearly contrite, issued a genuine apology and has an exemplary disciplinary record.

"The size of the fine is excessive given these factors. In our view this was an opportunity for education rather than heavy sanctions.

"The sanction for climbing the goalpost is puzzling given the AFL’s position that this action was not even worthy of a free kick during the game."

Now, settle down Victoria and move on...... and AFL, have a good hard look at yourself.

[goswannies]

No mention of Reid on the AFL website current injury list

[Markwebbos]

That's exactly what is was. Totally pathetic reactionary behaviour in response to the audience they hold dear.....the football journo's and fans of Victoria. Make enough noise, a la Eddie and you'll get what you want..... the sense of arrogant entitlement is sickening.

.....and I now see the AFLPA aren't too impressed by the AFL's actions in regard to this situation.

AFLPA concerned over 'excessive' Rampe fines - AFL.com.au

Paul Marsh, Chief Executive AFLPA:

"The AFLPA is concerned about the sanctions handed down to Dane Rampe," Marsh said on Tuesday night.

"With respect to the sanction relating to comments directed at an umpire, whilst not condoning these comments, they happened in the spur of the moment, Dane was clearly contrite, issued a genuine apology and has an exemplary disciplinary record.

"The size of the fine is excessive given these factors. In our view this was an opportunity for education rather than heavy sanctions.

"The sanction for climbing the goalpost is puzzling given the AFL’s position that this action was not even worthy of a free kick during the game."

Now, settle down Victoria and move on...... and AFL, have a good hard look at yourself.

Well said Paul Marsh. Thanks Stevoswan

[707]

Want a laugh, head over to the BF Essendon board, they are still foaming at the mouth, juicy stuff :-) We play them again in 7 weeks.

[Mel_C]

Want a laugh, head over to the BF Essendon board, they are still foaming at the mouth, juicy stuff :-) We play them again in 7 weeks.

I can just imagine the reaction whenever Rampe gets the ball in that next game against them at the MCG. It was bad enough last year with Buddy but this is going to be next level!

[stevoswan]

Apparently Rampe is the seventh VFL/AFL player to be sanctioned for "shaking or climbing" a goalpost. Interestingly the first was also a Swan, Arthur Hando and his story is simply quite amazing.

It can be read here....

The very strange history of the goalpost shaker: Sorry Dane, you're not the first - AFL.com.au

I still maintain that Dane was not trying to shake the post, rather be taller for a possible goal line touch.

[Markwebbos]

I still maintain that Dane was not trying to shake the post, rather be taller for a possible goal line touch.

If he wants to stay out of trouble with the AFL he just needs to start elbowing opposition players in the head instead.

[stevoswan]

If he wants to stay out of trouble with the AFL he just needs to start elbowing opposition players in the head instead.

.....and liking homophobic tweets.