Talking Footy

King-Eliagh wrote:

No pookus I cant agree. I'm sorry but violence is prevalent and permeates through all societies all cultures.It's not gunna go away because folk like you and Xman scream "whaaaaaat about the children". We should thus be teaching young men that violence is normal and that it is not some bad thing which we must refrain from at all costs, in order to provide 'male leadership'. Appropriate times for using violence should be taught and I must say, there is nothing wrong with thumping some ***** who just kneed you in the nuts, on the sporting field or elsewhere. You must stand up for and respect yourself. Violence for self defence and to protect others should be condoned, enough of this flowery "but violence begets violence" rubbish. There's plenty of pricks out there who know no better than to dominate others with violence and if I see someone getting violently beaten on the ground I'm gunna go in and use all means necessary to stop the rubbish, and so, I would hope, you and everyone else would too pookus. Sure call the cops but if someones getting seriously hurt we must step in.

On the sporting field biffo has rarely hurt anyone. It should be looked at and adjudicated in the context in which it takes place, as it is in society.

The Under 18s Cup match between Northern Suburbs Tigers and Brothers.

David Nielsen
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YESTERDAY'S Ipswich Rugby League under 18 grand final turned into foot-brawl during a farcical last minute all-in fight involving players and spectators.

The game included a number of explosive incidents before a fight, with five minutes remaining, sparked chaotic scenes.

With players involved in numerous fights at the southern end of the ground a number of spectators ran on to the field and joined in the melee.

Security guards and other patrons also invaded the oval to attempt to break up the brawl and remove the offending pitch invaders.

The initial offender was dragged from the field by up to four security personnel before being himself attacked by other patrons as he was removed through a sea of spectators.

The incident forced an early end to the game and IRL operations manager Brendon Rose made an announcement to the crowd during the trophy presentation.

Mr Rose sent a stern warning that all games were videoed and offenders would be identified in a review of the footage.

IRL chairman Jack Rhea told the QT the offenders were in the hands of the police.

"They've been removed from the venue by the police," Mr Rhea said.

"This incident was a disgrace.

"We will be looking at the footage tomorrow and if they can be identified they will never be allowed back into a game of rugby league in Ipswich as long as I have a say."

He said the IRL would assist police with their inquiries.

The incident came on the back of similar ugly scenes at a Brisbane Junior Rugby League grand final day at Wacol on Saturday.

Spectators also invaded the ground during both an under-15 and under-18 match at the junior carnival.

I have a legitimate concern here and I’ll tell you why.

I coach rugby league at a schoolboy and junior club level. I am responsible for boys across a range of ages: 13–17 roughly, but sometimes I have players a little younger.

We play in both the local club and local schoolboy competitions, both of which are usually administered by the ARL and CRL (about to be known as NRL Development).

If one of my boys throws a punch on the field (as has happened to us at critical times this year), he is not only sent off but he is banned for a week.

If the player he assaults punches back, then he too gets sent off and has an automatic one week ban.

The local judiciary can then look at the severity of the incident and make the suspension longer if need be. If it happens at a school game, then the consequence applies to his club games as well.

Now, I don’t have a problem with this. In fact, I think it is useful to have a blanket policy like this because it means there is no grey area: everyone understands the rule (comes under the SAFE PLAY CODE) and the consequences if it is broken.

Not only that, but I don’t want my players thinking belting an opposition player is a useful tactic.

I want them on the field using their strength and skill within the laws of the game to win. I don’t want them out there bashing the daylights out of the opposition.

It doesn’t matter what age the player. If they compete in junior club level or a schoolboy comp, then rules are the same.

But when my boys turn on the TV on Friday night to watch the footy, they see players – professionals who make a living from the sport – belting each other with no apparent consequence.

Either that or they are sin binned for 10 minutes.

They can get a ban from the judiciary for high tackles, for cheap shots, for dangerous play, but not for punching each other?

I am worried about the contradiction of the message this sends my players.

King-Eliagh wrote:

They are highly violent sports and as a result biffo occurs and should be reviewed depending on the context in which it occurs...You may use your moral high ground 21st century wishy washy crap all you like. Facts are facts and violence is violence.

King-Eliagh wrote:

What an un thought out reactionary piece of dribble. Violence should be analysed. 99.9% of the time there is a distinct reason for it and penalising a player who punches someone after they bit his testicle or after they stomped on their mates head is and never will be fair. Penalising a player who punches someone after they push him is fair. When playing a high contact violent and physical sport players deserve the right to stand up for them selves physically and violently. The referees and review panels have the job to adjudicate the players actions, taking in the context of the occassion.

King-Eliagh wrote:

No pookus I cant agree. I'm sorry but violence is prevalent and permeates through all societies all cultures.It's not gunna go away because folk like you and Xman scream "whaaaaaat about the children". We should thus be teaching young men that violence is normal and that it is not some bad thing which we must refrain from at all costs, in order to provide 'male leadership'. Appropriate times for using violence should be taught and I must say, there is nothing wrong with thumping some ***** who just kneed you in the nuts, on the sporting field or elsewhere. You must stand up for and respect yourself. Violence for self defence and to protect others should be condoned, enough of this flowery "but violence begets violence" rubbish. There's plenty of pricks out there who know no better than to dominate others with violence and if I see someone getting violently beaten on the ground I'm gunna go in and use all means necessary to stop the rubbish, and so, I would hope, you and everyone else would too pookus. Sure call the cops but if someones getting seriously hurt we must step in.

On the sporting field biffo has rarely hurt anyone. It should be looked at and adjudicated in the context in which it takes place, as it is in society.

TLPG wrote:

KE supports on field violence. He supports the junior incidents that have been referred to. His last response is proof of this.

Again - KE is not a part of the solution. He is part of the problem. And he won't appropriately protect a kid of his own in the process, which is flat out disgusting and makes him a poor parent.