Round 1

This take-no-prisoners approach might've been all right in the '70s, even the '80s, and, indeed, they probably didn't do any physical damage, but surely the spirit of the game was tested like it hasn't been before.

As Riewoldt sat crying on the bench, seemingly devastated you have to ask: Is it in the spirit of the game to knowingly attack an injured, defenceless player?

The answer must be no.

I must say that I felt a little ill when watching those two attack a defenseless player. It was a weak effort and took some gloss off what was a good win for their team.

What MM and Scott did was not pretty and little more than school yard bullying, but has happened a thousand times before and never telecast on prime time.

EM had an attack of acute apoplexy at the time Reiwolt was injured and could barely talk, but as he often mistakes shouting for exciting commentary, was able to ignore him.

The hits on Reiwolt were probably unnecessary but in the context of the game at that stage, probably justified. Tend to partially agree with you, Benno.

It's never nice to see a good player injured but we do tend to get a bit carried away when one of them is. Had it been Hamill or Martin Pike, it would all have been a bit "Ho hum" and "Bad luck" and get on with the game.

Then again EM's excitement may have been generated by his belief that Reiwolt could by out until after Round 6.

By the way, did anyone else notice the new Channel 9 pronunciation of Rei-V-olt by EM and Dennis. Obviously very upmarket and the In-touch
Channel 9 way of doing things these days. I still remember their dickhead pronunciation of Murali's moniker.

Losers.

Has Dermie worked off the hard-on he copped over the incident yet?

Even though this one could barely defend himself and Christopher the Courageous had a mate to help him just in case.

By staying on the field (reiwoldt was not concussed, and I assume capable of rational thought), he was putting himself in the position where further injury could occur.

I remember someone last year (was it Lynch?) punching his opposition in the ribs who had just returned from a rib cartilage injury...

But then as was pointed out on Fox's Saturday Central yesterday, the difference between the Lloyd/Ketiouk and the Brown/Cornes(?) incidents where players definitely knew there was an injury as they came into the game after sustaining them.

Scott and Michael had every right to test the player - most players will get us gingerly from a contest in the hope of a free kick if they get it they are miraculously alright.

On a much brighter note, - so far my tips are 4 from 4. Today however could see that cut down.

If you look at the incident you will see that Reiwoldt actually smashes his head on the ground and in his first game as captain he wants to show his teammates that he will his all for the cause.

The ball was 50 meters away and the bloke was in obvious pain. If the ball was in the vicinity then fair enough. It was as weak an effort as you will ever see on the footy field and I'll leave it at that.

What is done is done.

Time to move on.

Would the same stink have been raised if it had been Barry Hall or Jonathan Brown instead of Riewoldt? Most likely not. Should it? Yes it should.

All those old cretins crapping on about the Law Of The Jungle should remember Para 1 of TLOTJ: Adapt or perish. And also remember the competition between sports, for players, support, money, image, etc, is a jungle as well (why else would the latest outrage by a monumentally mediocre NRL player crack the back page of the Age last week). The media coverage is a reality which no amount of whinging will change and the AFL has to live with it and the game has to adapt. What Happens On The Field can no longer Stay On The Field.

Deal with it, Dermie and Wallsy and all those 50-year-old ex-bush/suburban back pockets whinging on talkback, or sod off back to your WWF videos. The Law Of The Jungle sorts out its dinosaurs quick smart and already there's not enough of you left for you to be much missed.

His comments about barry hall is interesting, lets face it C scott wouldnt have the courage to do it to barry, not unless he wasnt looking.

Hey chris, great game in the GF, and love that ducking of the head when standing under the ball for a mark, you weak pri..

But i must admit it was a cracking, physical game, should be more of them.

Once again it proved that under pressure the saints are suspect.

Round 1 also proved that collingwood are gone, the crows will finish bottom, wizard cup form means nothing

The continual spiking of Hamill's head was also poor in my book and appeared to be deliberate as. You'll get yours grub....

regards,

REB

BBBB actually got a couple of frees. Unbelievable.

Now, Hawks supporters. Croad is a cat, he played 3m behind Hall all day and refused to put his body on the line in any way, shape or form.
Everitt is your only hope.
Hodge should have been taken off injured 10 minutes in and was a passenger for most of the game.

I have not seen the Pies game yet, but from what I read today and saw Sunday, they are probably in as much trouble as the Hawks...