This is what I am talking about ...
MCG brawlers face footy ban following fight at AFL season opener
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says it would be 'hard to see' how a man who threw punches during the brawl would be allowed to attend future games.www.theage.com.au
I noted Pip's example of "AFL violence" was a bit of a fracas between a couple of supporters after the game and outside the stadium - and it occurred 17 months ago (couldn't find any recent examples?). It didn't involve any players, umpires or coaches or anything on-field (let alone stabbings).1. C. 7.3m fans attended AFL matches in 2019- & since 1970, c. 250m+ fans have attended the VFL/AFL. Whilst brawling occurs occasionally, the total no. of incidents are miniscule. AFAIK, there have been no stabbings (although some serious assaults do occur). AF has a good reputation.
In contrast, the multiple stabbing contributes to RL's "image problem". Even P. Rothfield described it as "a horrible story", & it has received wide coverage in various parts of the NSW MSM.
There is wide acceptance that RL has had an "image problem" with many people, re behavioural standards on & off field, for many years. RL officials & MSM RL experts etc. have admitted this. It is incontrovertible that the image problem is a contributing factor to the long term, significant decline in male RL regd contact nos. in NSW, ACT, & Qld. ...
Anyway I thought I'd check the media for anything that happened only just yesterday - and sure enough, there was plenty to report - a 12 yo rugby league player was sent to hospital after being punched in the face on the field by a brave 39 yo adult, a rugby league referee was punched in the face and knocked unconcious by a player during a match and a soccer player punched his coach in the face - just another Saturday in NSW.
No wonder the good people of NSW are turning more and more to our Australian game (though I suppose the bad people of NSW will still stubbornly resist) -
'Unacceptable': Three men charged over separate sports rage incidents
In one clash, the referee of a rugby league match was knocked unconscious. In another, a soccer coach was punched in the face.
www.smh.com.au
Boy, 12, attacked, coach punched and ref knocked out in violent weekend sport attacks
A man has been charged with assault after allegedly attacking a 12-year-old boy during a junior rugby match on the Central Coast in NSW.
www.news.com.au
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