Does Tanking Exist?

[Wilso]

Simple Yes or No question to see the general consensus amongst footy fans on their views towards the tanking issue.

 

[Rosstickle]

Coaches and board members probably do but players don't. Although I don't think coaches try to lose games I reckon they might not do quite as much in the box as they ussually would.

 

[Chodders]

I think the poll question is too narrow. I don't think players ever run out there trying not to win. You have to remember that if teams are going badly they will be looking to turn over players on their list so every player out there will be trying bloody hard so he has the best chance to retain his spot on the list.

I don't think preparing for next year is tanking. Once you can't make the finals, sending players off for ops early so they can get a full pre-season in is good player management.

 

[brettman135]

In a way it does but none of the tanking at the moment compares to what of carltons a few years back. that was a disgrace

 

[Blueboys7]

Coaches and board members probably do but players don't. Although I don't think coaches try to lose games I reckon they might not do quite as much in the box as they ussually would.

Correct

 

[Power King]

Define tanking first.

a) Players on the actual field not trying to win - if this is your definition, then tanking doesn't exist.

or

b) Coaches/Selectors no fielding the absolute strongest team possible in order to win - if this is your definition, then tanking exists.

Everyone would have to agree with b), and if you disagree, you're an idiot, but I still challenge you to refute what I wrote for this part.

 

[Blueboys7]

In a way it does but none of the tanking at the moment compares to what of carltons a few years back. that was a disgrace

Yeah because from 2002 to 2007 we were so good that we won a combined total of 27 games out of a possible 132. We should have stopped tanking at the start of 2002

 

[Dalzielling]

Yes by proxy.

I believe that most teams without a shot at finals will put players out to surgery, blood kids for the next season, and so on. However, I believe that most teams would still do this regardless of draft picks, to optimise their chance for success the following season - its just that now, it comes with an added bonus.

 

[Gods_Son23]

Coaches and board members probably do but players don't. Although I don't think coaches try to lose games I reckon they might not do quite as much in the box as they ussually would.

I concur. Just to use West Coast as an example, it's a bit like would Cox/Kerr have been rested so much this year if we were a flag chance? If we weren't a flag chance in 07 would they have even bothered to have played Judd at all during the season with all his Groin issues. Just examples of 'tanking' i guess.

It annoys me when people saying it doesn't happen bring up the 'players always try' comment. Everyone knows thats not what it means, its refering to the men up in the box and at the team selection table on the wednesday.

 

[Claude Balls]

Of course it does. People like Mathew Knights just look like naive twits when they get all pious on our arses.

The definition of tanking however, lies off the field, not on it.

 

[Jatz]

of course it does