1997 vs 2017. Once again, it's "us" vs "them" (The A.F.L.)

[scottydeewah]

I nearly made the headline, "Sydney cheats" but that is actually somewhat incorrect. Sydney follow the rules, but the AFL cheats.

I'll admit my interest in AFL gets lower every year. I still enjoy it, but I have zero passion. The main reason for this (as I've covered before) is the blatent cheating and corruption within our league. Out of the major world sports I follow nothing comes close to the level of cheating I see by the league in the AFL (combined with further incompetence it's almost unbearable).

This week we will play Sydney who had an extra $1M+ plus to spend on players, plus high draft picks gifted to them by the AFL commission - Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills (Mills they got for pick 3 after finishing 2nd, explain that).

This week we will play a side that is literally playing to a different set of rules than us. Does it worry you? Anger? Don't care? Didn't know?

(For Sydney supporters who read this, I'm not having a dig at you, or your club. The AFL has one primary job, create and administer a set of rules that EVERY team has to follow. The fact they don't, is not your fault, nor would I expect your club not to take advantage. You were also banned from trading the year after the Buddy deal, which is another example of cheating from a corrupt board - punished for not breaking any rules. Shows in smaller doses that it has gone the other way)

 

[Shell]

Don't care tbh.

Whole system has imbalances/unfairness. Whatevs.

I did however get out a lot of anger in an email to the AFL and Richmond. And I NEVER send these kind of emails- ever.

 

[Shell]

I nearly made the headline, "Sydney cheats" but that is actually somewhat incorrect. Sydney follow the rules, but the AFL cheats.

I'll admit my interest in AFL gets lower every year. I still enjoy it, but I have zero passion. The main reason for this (as I've covered before) is the blatent cheating and corruption within our league. Out of the major world sports I follow nothing comes close to the level of cheating I see by the league in the AFL (combined with further incompetence it's almost unbearable).
)

Same. And I really think the AFL need to be really careful and really address this issue- and never underestimate it.

Back in the 1990s i would watch almost every game, ok well not every game, but at least 3 a weekend. This finals week I went to one, and watched the 2nd half of the Port v WC game. Didnt even watch more than 5 mins of the others, were terrible.

 

[HaroLad]

As a protest you should never post again.

 

[Spazz Cat]

We got Hawkins for next to nothing in a flag year. Plus a whole bunch of other father sons across the journey.
Who cares. That Buddy deal stopped him going to GWS and was an incredibly brave deal to do.
Not only the risk of money but it pissed the AFL off who gave them a trading ban and took their COLA.
Sydney have done well to stay relevant which they have too.
How come you didn't lose interest in the game after the 3 Brissy flags. Far worse "cheating" than this.
Didn't they just have to play a team in a final that got banned for doping then got to keep their No1 pick who won the rising star?

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

The solution is easy. Win Friday night and stick it up 'em.

As an aside, why do these type of threads only appear after a loss?

Much like the membership thread a little while ago.

 

[Shell]

Scottydeewah is alright tho..

 

[00VicWard001]

I nearly made the headline, "Sydney cheats" but that is actually somewhat incorrect. Sydney follow the rules, but the AFL cheats.

I'll admit my interest in AFL gets lower every year. I still enjoy it, but I have zero passion. The main reason for this (as I've covered before) is the blatent cheating and corruption within our league. Out of the major world sports I follow nothing comes close to the level of cheating I see by the league in the AFL (combined with further incompetence it's almost unbearable).

This week we will play Sydney who had an extra $1M+ plus to spend on players, plus high draft picks gifted to them by the AFL commission - Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills (Mills they got for pick 3 after finishing 2nd, explain that).

This week we will play a side that is literally playing to a different set of rules than us. Does it worry you? Anger? Don't care? Didn't know?

(For Sydney supporters who read this, I'm not having a dig at you, or your club. The AFL has one primary job, create and administer a set of rules that EVERY team has to follow. The fact they don't, is not your fault, nor would I expect your club not to take advantage. You were also banned from trading the year after the Buddy deal, which is another example of cheating from a corrupt board - punished for not breaking any rules. Shows in smaller doses that it has gone the other way)

There is too much subjective input from their head office. The Rules/Laws of the game committee are manipulated by the whims of Gillon and co.

The Bye is an example. The coaches are saying it's unfair. Gillon disagrees, he has no proof for his side, but he just disagrees. He then uses a straw man of the women's game and legends game and changes the focus. Then when challenged he puts on his CEO hat and over talks or just intimidates the opposing voices.

Then we have the MRP. Incidents that are not judged by precedent. Players who are made an example of. Using different grading systems to allow fine or suspension punishments. It's completely subjective and it's once again determined by the perception or the media (one and the same) (by the way did you see the glee on Stevo's face when pointing out Motlop accidentally grabbing the Richmond player near the groin as he was getting up? Complete accident and the vision showed Motlop looking completely apologetic and embarrassed for the awkward grab. BT looked uncomfortable with Stevo's bloodlust and even contrived an excuse to walk off on him).

Sydney getting removed from draft due to the Buddy trade was silly. They were operating under the same rules they had always done so. But suddenly, Eddy decides that he wants the AFL to act on it, so then they get punished.

Home games are a farce too. Why bother having a home stadium if you have to play where the AFL want you to play in finals? Shouldn't GWS have to play in West Coast because West Coast have a bigger stadium and ALOT more fans?

Why not Sydney vs Essendon at the G? The Essendon fans would have filled that stadium. I heard Sydney only had 41,000 fans at their match. Well this isnt much more than Skilled Stadium. So why not Sydney vs Geelong at Skilled Stadium?

It's a spectacle and nothing more. It's not fair, its not transparent and really it never will be.

 

[scottydeewah]

Scottydeewah is alright tho..

Graci.

Fair enough for those who want to call sook, etc. It's somewhat true. I don't like the AFL (body) and like to vent. Does it help? No.

I think it's a fair discussion though. For example bringing up the father and son law is incorrect as it is a rule that all clubs abide by (different numbers of games for new clubs is I guess an inconsistency) . We don't have a Victorian academy or even a Geelong academy. We don't have extra TPP to spend.

These rules were created to keep Sydney highly competitive outside the equalisation measures introduced into the league. The league has a salary cap and draft, except sometimes.

If it doesn't worry you, fine. I understand that. For me I find it disgusting that this week we play a team that has had, in my opinion, an immense amount of help staying competitive.

Why have rules if they're not applied evenly?

(I also can't think of another sport that does this. NFL (lol, no chance), Tennis, NBA, EPL or other leagues. Imagine if last night in the US Open they had of let Raffa serve into the doubles lines too, widening the court for him. We laugh, but the Swans have 3-5 first 22 players that were gifted to them).

 

[newcs]

Remember 1997. We finished 2nd on the ladder. It's was obvious the A.F.L. had decided we had been up there for too long, it was disagreeing with their equalisation principles.
So they decided to shaft us. They gave us a home final on Sunday night against North Melbourne at the M.C.G. which was their home ground at the time. They knew darn well that a Sunday night game wouldn't suit Geelong people, as a result Geelong fans were outnumber and North got over line which sent us to Adelaide the following week, to their delight we lost that game and they got a bonus when all Geelong people talked about was an incorrect umpiring decision.
As a result Geelong bottomed out the following year and spent a few years in the wilderness.

2017 and here we go again. The AFL have decided we have too successful to long. We finish second but we get scheduled at game at the MCG which is the opposition's home ground. It's played on a Friday night which they know doesn't suit Geelong people. Oh surprise, surprise, there is a ticketing "error" which causes Geelong supporters to be hopelessly outnumbered. So come semi-final time what shall they do.
Well we better not give them a home final, but we'll tease them big time by letting the GWS toyboys play their final in their little stadium. We'll once again schedule it on Friday night because Geelong people don't like it. Hopefully that will reduce the morale of the team so much that they will get thrashed and as a result spend the next few years in the wilderness so someone else gets a chance.
If you are planning to boycott next Friday night, please don't, you will be doing exactly what the AFL want you to do.
If we win on Friday I'll be comparing the game with the 1994 SF against Carlton where we had everything stacked against us but we won against the odds. Let's hope we can pull it off.

 

[PatrickBateman]

I really hope Sydney fans don't wonder over and see such threads...

Oh dear.

 

[Shell]

Nah I disagree 1997 is nothing like 2017, sorry.


(Absolutely agree with you tho re. the ticketing issues- disgraceful shit)

 

[Grimoz]

And the swans have won how many premierships of late?? Seriously who gives a ****

 

[scottydeewah]

I really hope Sydney fans don't wonder over and see such threads...

Oh dear.

Why?

I don't blame Sydney but what is it in Australia that if you point out blatent dishonesty it's just whinging.

The AFL are cheats, it's not an opinion, that's fact. If you don't care, fine. It annoys me.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

 

[Spazz Cat]

Graci.

Fair enough for those who want to call sook, etc. It's somewhat true. I don't like the AFL (body) and like to vent. Does it help? No.

I think it's a fair discussion though. For example bringing up the father and son law is incorrect as it is a rule that all clubs abide by (different numbers of games for new clubs is I guess an inconsistency) . We don't have a Victorian academy or even a Geelong academy. We don't have extra TPP to spend.

These rules were created to keep Sydney highly competitive outside the equalisation measures introduced into the league. The league has a salary cap and draft, except sometimes.

If it doesn't worry you, fine. I understand that. For me I find it disgusting that this week we play a team that has had, in my opinion, an immense amount of help staying competitive.

Why have rules if they're not applied evenly?

(I also can't think of another sport that does this. NFL (lol, no chance), Tennis, NBA, EPL or other leagues. Imagine if last night in the US Open they had of let Raffa serve into the doubles lines too, widening the court for him. We laugh, but the Swans have 3-5 first 22 players that were gifted to them).

But that's what our game is and what the whole modern game has been built on.
Fitzroy barred from merging with Norf then Brissy winning 3 flags and now a basket case.
West Coast on roids and the umpiring in Perth till this day.
97 finals.
Carlton and Essendon caught cheating the cap in flag years but still keep them.
Melbourne found not guilty of tanking but then fined anyway, then Afl paying the fine.
Etihad stadium deals, fixturing for TV deals.
The whole Essendon fiasco.
Hundreds of MRP and tribunal decisions etc, etc, etc.
Our whole game is built on corruption and inequality.
Why focus on this?
They also got unbelievably screwed by the umpiring in last years GF. We're not complaining about that.
We just have to beat them in a corrupt competition just like everyone else.

 

[bungwahl]

Why not Sydney vs Essendon at the G? The Essendon fans would have filled that stadium. I heard Sydney only had 41,000 fans at their match. Well this isnt much more than Skilled Stadium. So why not Sydney vs Geelong at Skilled Stadium?

Actually had 46,323 - record crowd for AFL at the SCG.

Agree with your post though. I think everyone is sick of the AFL fiddling around with rules and conditions.

 

[Cicatriz]

We got Hawkins for next to nothing in a flag year. Plus a whole bunch of other father sons across the journey.

Not true. We got him in the 2006 draft. We hadn't won a flag for 43 years at that stage.

 

[Pollywaffle]

People need to realise that sport is now a business. The concept of cheating no longer applies. It's about money and bums on seats only.

 

[Landgraft]

Don't care tbh.

Whole system has imbalances/unfairness. Whatevs.

I did however get out a lot of anger in an email to the AFL and Richmond. And I NEVER send these kind of emails- ever.

I sent the AFL an unhappy email a while ago. Apparently it was forwarded to Gils office but that was my only reply.

 

[Shell]

I sent the AFL an unhappy email a while ago. Apparently it was forwarded to Gils office but that was my only reply.

Oh I'm not expecting a reply- do not worry about that..

 

[Spazz Cat]

Not true. We got him in the 2006 draft. We hadn't won a flag for 43 years at that stage.

Ok we got him for next to nothing in 2006

 

[Frank Bunn]

People need to realise that sport is now a business. The concept of cheating no longer applies. It's about money and bums on seats only.

Not all sports are as manipulated as the AFL. Entry to the competition is centrally controlled rather than on merit. The draw is rigged, as are venues. The draft is rigged. Salaries are rigged.

Compare this the EPL or Champions League, where there is much more money involved, and you don't see the competitions having those manipulations.

 

[Landgraft]

Oh I'm not expecting a reply- do not worry about that..

I was hoping for a standard response.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

As a protest you should never post again.

Many have said that of you Haro
The mind boggles as to how such a boring bunch are reigning champs. Truly boggles.

 

[iameviljez]

I nearly made the headline, "Sydney cheats" but that is actually somewhat incorrect. Sydney follow the rules, but the AFL cheats.

I have to admit, this was indicative of a solid melt and you didn't disappoint.

I'll admit my interest in AFL gets lower every year. I still enjoy it, but I have zero passion. The main reason for this (as I've covered before) is the blatent cheating and corruption within our league. Out of the major world sports I follow nothing comes close to the level of cheating I see by the league in the AFL (combined with further incompetence it's almost unbearable).

Have you ever heard of an organisation called "FIFA", or a little sport called "cycling", perchance?

This week we will play Sydney who had an extra $1M+ plus to spend on players, plus high draft picks gifted to them by the AFL commission - Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills (Mills they got for pick 3 after finishing 2nd, explain that).

Sure. They didn't get him with Pick 3, they got him with picks 33, 36, 37 and 43 and it was counted as being number three because that is the order in which he was taken (Melbourne bid on him with 3). Four picks between 33 and 43 for a single player is a hefty price to pay. The Cost of Living Allowance is being phased out but IMO it's reasonable to have a slight COLA given the increase in living cost in Sydney.

I don't have a big issue with the northern academies - the bidding system is reasonable, and it mitigates the Go Home factor that has really hit three of the four northern clubs. It also alleviates the disadvantage that startup clubs have in not being able to draw on f/s selections.

I should also add: we sook hard enough about having to play at the MCG, but at least it's in the same state. The GF is played "interstate" for these clubs every year - which I love, the MCG is a great venue, but it's intrinsically unfair, too.

This week we will play a side that is literally playing to a different set of rules than us. Does it worry you? Anger? Don't care? Didn't know?

This is where you really hit Peak Melt and I must admit I can hear the Antarctic ice shelves splintering from here.

(For Sydney supporters who read this, I'm not having a dig at you, or your club. The AFL has one primary job, create and administer a set of rules that EVERY team has to follow. The fact they don't, is not your fault, nor would I expect your club not to take advantage. You were also banned from trading the year after the Buddy deal, which is another example of cheating from a corrupt board - punished for not breaking any rules. Shows in smaller doses that it has gone the other way)

I generally refer to an excellent saying I picked up from God-knows-where: If ever having to choose between suspecting a conspiracy and a ****-up, pick the ****-up (the hyphen is important in that sentence). The AFL's decision-making process is often decidedly amateur and foolish, but corrupt - indicating some form of personal gain - is another thing altogether.