Opinion Does Selwood duck?

[Beanstalk]

The supporters of 17 teams in the competition insist that he does. What do cats fans think?

There's no doubting he's the most courageous player in the competition - see ball, get ball. He does whatever possible to avoid the tackler - ducks under the tackle, sidesteps, burrows through their knees, you name it.

But do you believe he deliberately puts his head down in order to draw a free kick, or is it 100% head over the ball - and the opposition needs to fine tune their tackling technique?

I'm not suggesting he does or doesn't one way or another, I'm simply interested to hear the thoughts of my fellow cats fans, seeing as all we ever seem to hear on the topic is 'Selwood is a cheat!' from opposition supporters.

For the record, Joel averaged 2.9 free kicks per game in 2013.

 

[SJ]

He does not drive his head into his opponent.

He does crouch to either evade the tackle (see his first quarter goal in 2009 grand final) or to gain a free kick.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

That's because most supporters don't know what "ducking his head" means....

 

[vinum coupe]

He gets free kicks due to a few things.

1/ The speed he hits the contest. The opponents reaction time generally isn't good enough and they apply a poor tackle.
2/ He loves to lift the tackle to free the arms.
3/ He does drop his knees often, especially when changing direction.

But he doesn't duck.
If you want to see what a duck is, go watch the vid on our rookie pick Bates.
He definitely ducks through a tackle at one stage.

 

[BlitzenTrapper]

He does not duck. He shrugs the shoulder and occasionally drops his knee. Similar to the way Bundy does. Smart if you ask me.

Plus he is the hardest, most courageous, toughest in the comp by far, and everybody I know who whinges about Joel ducking just wish they had him in their team.

 

[BlitzenTrapper]

Just put on the AFL Draft, Free Agency, List and General News facebook page:

The Joel Selwood's of the world will be anxiously awaiting a new AFL rule that will see players penalised for deliberately using their head to "duck" or draw head high contact to break out of packs and draw free kicks.

The afl along with the umpires will thrash out a new rule which would be adjudicated for any player deliberately ducking or charging head first for free kicks.

Not only is it to stamp out the amount of head high injuries and concussions but there is some suggestion that the acts aren't within the spirit of the game.

The onus is still on the tackler to tackle correctly, which insinuates that it would be a case-by-case scenario in how I would be approached.

 

[candiehappy]

I say no because of the way the term is used - as if it's cheating.

does he take advantage of the rules, probably. As does half of the league.

Selwood was a champion the day he walked on to the turf - bit of jealousy ?

 

[bulletproof]

No he doesn't.

Have to give the umpires some credit here, they are - unlike many media commentators, particuarly those with Hawthorn background - able to distinguish between ducking and using core strength to shrug off a tackler or draw a free kick. Selwood always keeps himself upright which is the big difference.

 

[Catdog]

Hell no he is far to smart for that!!!

 

[JPod_31]

He has never ducked his head in his whole career. He always goes hard at the ball and that's how he gets the free kicks.

 

[hbk_aus]

I voted yes to the question in the poll above because he does try to deliberately draw high contact, as well as sometimes enabling him to escape the tackle. Of course it isnt ducking but that doesnt stop the plebs from other teams calling him a ducker because its the cool thing to do.

 

[El Dubya]

There's no doubting he's the most courageous player in the competition
.

I doubt it, Tom Lonergan is more courageous in my mind.

 

[Cursed Cat]

I'll answer the same way I have answered 1000 times in main board threads - it doesn't matter whether he is awarded frees for any perceived ducking or not, because 99 times out of 100, if he's gained possession he will work his way free one way or another and dispose of the ball.

If the umpires put the whistle away (and to be honest, I think there have been stages throughout his career when the umpires have let a lot go in hopes of breaking any perceived bad habits) it would barely impact him, half the time when the whistle has been blown he's already away.

 

[El Dubya]

It isn't ducking. He hits the contest head on every time, which leads to him receiving head high contact. When he is tackled he tries to lift the tacklers arms up, is this to try and shrug the tackle or to draw high contact? No one but Joel can answer that question. He's far from the only player to do it.

 

[JUBJUB]

That's because most supporters don't know what "ducking his head" means....

That's because most opposition supporters are ucking ick heads

 

[kicksome]

he leans into tackles to get under their arms to be able to "shrug" it, he knows how to play it.
voted yes if u couldnt already pick that haha, i laugh when he does it now cause i know if he played for any other team it would piss me off

 

[dazbroncos]

Nope. First to the ball has the right to possess it. Beat him there and he can't be accused of ducking.

This thread will draw the hawks fans of bay 13 like flies to honey.
Swatters ready!!!!
Go Catters

 

[The Quandrinator]

I'll play the lawyer here and point out your poll question is different to your thread title. Does he try to draw frees? Of course he does. Every player does!

The fact is though, some of what is said about him is absolute bullshit. They point to him bending his knees as he turns. We'll here is a little exercise for you ... Go outside, run at 12 secs per 100m pace with straight legs. Right ... Got that? Now ... TURN AROUND QUICKLY!! You fell over didn't you?

For the unscientific types, in big people school we call that Biomechanics 101!!

Selwood is one of the best evaders ever to strap on boots. By running, twisting and turning he makes it hard to get a legal tackle. By sliding tackling arms off him he makes it even harder. Wheel out some footage of Kevin Bartlett and spot the similarity. Now Ted Whitten. Now Lou Richards. Have a peek at Tony Shaw and Peter Daicos.

Good players could always draw a free kick. The player with his head down after the ball has always been meant to draw the free kick. That's our game. Great isn't it?!

 

[El Dubya]

I'll play the lawyer here and point out your poll question is different to your thread title. Does he try to draw frees? Of course he does. Every player does!

The fact is though, some of what is said about him is absolute bullshit. They point to him bending his knees as he turns. We'll here is a little exercise for you ... Go outside, run at 12 secs per 100m pace with straight legs. Right ... Got that? Now ... TURN AROUND QUICKLY!! You fell over didn't you?

For the unscientific types, in big people school we call that Biomechanics 101!!

Selwood is one of June best evaders ever to strap on boots. By running, twisting and turning he makes it hard to get a legal tackle. By sliding tackling arms off him he makes it even harder. Wheel out some footage of Kevin Bartlett and spot the similarity. Now Ted Whitten. Now Lou Richards. Have a peek at Tony Shaw and Peter Daicos.

Good players could always draw a free kick. The player with his head down after the ball has always been meant to draw the free kick. That's our game. Great isn't it?!

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

He gets free kicks due to a few things.

1/ The speed he hits the contest. The opponents reaction time generally isn't good enough and they apply a poor tackle.
2/ He loves to lift the tackle to free the arms.
3/ He does drop his knees often, especially when changing direction.

But he doesn't duck.
If you want to see what a duck is, go watch the vid on our rookie pick Bates.
He definitely ducks through a tackle at one stage.

This post hits the nail on the head. Well done.

 

[The rabbi]

3/ He does drop his knees often, especially when changing direction.

I have heard this complaint often from commentators and envious opposition supporters.
But I am not sure how one can go about changing direction without lowering their body.
Human beings are not South Park animations.

 

[Turbocat]

Eddie caused this rubbish. And Derm joined in. Never would have been an issue if he was a Pie or Hawk.

I insist that in most cases its the in correct coaching that causes the free kick. Too many have been coach to tackle arms to prevent players dispossal.

On Sel , look at the angle of his head , where is his face. Ducking is when you face is close to horizontal to the grass , if his face is vertical its not ducking its just avoiding a tackle..which players have been doing since the game was created.

A player with his face horizontal should not only get NO free kick , but should be penalized for dangerous play if he is regularly , deliberately doing it.

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Selwood NEVER purposefully rams his head into opponents... guys like Thomas, that West Coast guy do that. That act is a ridiculous disgrace, and should never be a free kick. They aren't attempting to evade the contest.

Selwood however causes head high contact through his shrugging movement, lifting his shoulder and dropping one hip... it is a genuine technique to evade the tackler and is pretty effective, but also draws high contact.

I can guarantee if they change the rules, stopping the free kick in Selwoods situation he would keep doing it... In fact most of the time, Selwood has successfully broken the tackle when the free kick is called and is able to play on anyway.

This is the important differentiation, as these rule changes will stop the head ramming situation, whilst not effect Selwood's technique.... this should highlight how Selwood's technique is a skill that enables him to play more effectively regardless of the free kick.

 

[you pick one]

Trust me if some f--ken dim wit had of called out Joel Selwood instead of Mitch Thorp in the 2006 draft this thread would be on the Hawks board as is Joel Selwood the toughest player since Matthews.

 

[hbk_aus]

Paul Puopolo board...