Dear All,
I hope you have enjoyed the wonderful scenes presented on the fine youtube clip I have attached for you. I've used it as a focussing tool to ask you all what you think about how violence has changed in AFL and Rugby League. Please take the time to read my analysis below before adding your vote to the poll.
You see I believe violence is innate in humans and animals alike and, although I detest it in many of its forms, I think it is fantastic in organised sport, where people can watch and be entertained by violence occurring in a contained atmosphere by men who are passionate about their team winning.
Unfortunately the scenes above no longer occur in the AFL. And on the Trengove ruling recently we may see the art of tackling wiped out soon too. AFL has definitely gone through the most drastic rule changes in regards to violence but Rugby League has changed dramatically and for the worse too.
But are these rule changes actually taking violence out of the game? I say no. There are many forms of violence, you have physical, mental and sexual to name a few. John Hopoate was perhaps the most famous proponent of sexual violence on the field by utilising his digits in a way TLPG is very familiar with. His antics occurred not long after rules in Rugby League were tightened in regards to on field fighting...
In the AFL I have noticed another and perhaps more sinister form of violence occurring on many occassions over the last few years. The first I saw was a quite vicious attack by several Lions players on Nick Reiwolts injured shoulder. It was actually not dissimilar to a pack of lions toying with a gazelle who'd had it's shoulder mutilated. Just awful. And this has been going on and on lately in the AFL, especially after the siren sounds when the state of play appears to be lawless.
I think we need to have a very good look at the rules of the game and bring back the legitimacy of on field fighting. The fans love it and the players dont have to resort to other, more sinister forms of violence.
