thatswhatimtalkinabout
22 May 2008, 04:39
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23738143-19742,00.html
Shane Crawford warned to curb his undisciplined ways
Bruce Matthews | May 22, 2008 12:00am
HAWTHORN has read the riot act to onballer Shane Crawford to avoid further undisciplined acts and tribunal bans.
The Hawks are furious their former skipper must sit out Sunday's game against Melbourne after another striking offence.
While Crawford could never be described as a thug, football manager Mark Evans said yesterday the Hawk conceded he had to change his playing style and rid his game of silly acts.
"Shane has told me that he thinks he needs to do things differently. He's aware of that," Evans said.
"He needs to avoid those sorts of actions. They're not going to help him or the team."
"We have to recognise Shane has been in the system for 17 years. But as a club we have been disappointed with the last couple of incidents."
Crawford accepted a one-game ban for an off-the-ball punch to Port Adelaide ruckman Dean Brogan's midriff in the third quarter on Saturday.
It followed a reckless forearm to North Melbourne onballer Daniel Harris's head in last year's semi-final that cost him three matches and a delayed start to this season.
That was Crawford's fourth report for 2007, including a one-game ban for striking Fremantle's Peter Bell and a pre-season reprimand for hitting Docker Ryley Dunn.
Crawford's latest indiscretion was his 17th booking in a glittering career in which he has earned the 1999 Brownlow Medal, four club best-and-fairest awards and All-Australian selection four times.
He joins Dermott Brereton and Glenn Archer as equal fourth on the reported players' list, behind only David Rhys-Jones, Carl Ditterich and Greg Williams.
Brereton laughed off any suggestion Crawford's reputation was being tarnished.
"It's quite comical, actually. What's he, 12 times guilty for nine games suspended? I was nine guiltys for 39 matches. When we did something, someone got hurt," the former Hawks tough man said.
"I don't think Crawf has ever hurt anyone. He wouldn't rip the top off a rice custard. He doesn't go out there and instigate a compromising situation.
"He reacts to close checking or someone who's pushing the boundaries of the rules. He's not aggressive by nature and everybody knows that."
Related Links
Bruce Matthews: You're better than that, Shane (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23738140-19742,00.html)
Shane Crawford warned to curb his undisciplined ways
Bruce Matthews | May 22, 2008 12:00am
HAWTHORN has read the riot act to onballer Shane Crawford to avoid further undisciplined acts and tribunal bans.
The Hawks are furious their former skipper must sit out Sunday's game against Melbourne after another striking offence.
While Crawford could never be described as a thug, football manager Mark Evans said yesterday the Hawk conceded he had to change his playing style and rid his game of silly acts.
"Shane has told me that he thinks he needs to do things differently. He's aware of that," Evans said.
"He needs to avoid those sorts of actions. They're not going to help him or the team."
"We have to recognise Shane has been in the system for 17 years. But as a club we have been disappointed with the last couple of incidents."
Crawford accepted a one-game ban for an off-the-ball punch to Port Adelaide ruckman Dean Brogan's midriff in the third quarter on Saturday.
It followed a reckless forearm to North Melbourne onballer Daniel Harris's head in last year's semi-final that cost him three matches and a delayed start to this season.
That was Crawford's fourth report for 2007, including a one-game ban for striking Fremantle's Peter Bell and a pre-season reprimand for hitting Docker Ryley Dunn.
Crawford's latest indiscretion was his 17th booking in a glittering career in which he has earned the 1999 Brownlow Medal, four club best-and-fairest awards and All-Australian selection four times.
He joins Dermott Brereton and Glenn Archer as equal fourth on the reported players' list, behind only David Rhys-Jones, Carl Ditterich and Greg Williams.
Brereton laughed off any suggestion Crawford's reputation was being tarnished.
"It's quite comical, actually. What's he, 12 times guilty for nine games suspended? I was nine guiltys for 39 matches. When we did something, someone got hurt," the former Hawks tough man said.
"I don't think Crawf has ever hurt anyone. He wouldn't rip the top off a rice custard. He doesn't go out there and instigate a compromising situation.
"He reacts to close checking or someone who's pushing the boundaries of the rules. He's not aggressive by nature and everybody knows that."
Related Links
Bruce Matthews: You're better than that, Shane (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23738140-19742,00.html)