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Some jolly decent sentiments by "a current AFL player" still too scared to openly declare his love.
Check out the vignette of genius Crowley's day at the office. Hilarious.
Love to hate them? Their peers don't
The Secret Footballer
15 April 2014
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...their-peers-20140415-zqv0z.html#ixzz2yy588k7C
Check out the vignette of genius Crowley's day at the office. Hilarious.
Love to hate them? Their peers don't
The Secret Footballer
15 April 2014
Listen to the talk around the change rooms at my club - and other players you run into around the place - and these guys are almost universally admired. Everyone would love to have them as teammates because they are so determined, passionate and damn competitive.... It would be an honour playing alongside such disciplined players on a weekly basis. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing a teammate squeeze every last ounce of ability out of himself.
Ballantyne is a cocky little chirper who deliberately gets under the skin of the opposition to take their mind off the game. But that doesn't do justice to his football ability.
A small forward working up and down the ground, coupled with his forward-line pressure, he has become invaluable for Fremantle. A barometer for the Dockers. I've no doubt he is one of Ross Lyon's first picked.
(I'd even hazard a guess that if by chance Scarlett was to find Ballantyne at the bar, with a pot in hand, they would soon realise they had more in common than they would care to admit. Provided one did not tip the other off his bar stool.)
Ballantyne is a cocky little chirper who deliberately gets under the skin of the opposition to take their mind off the game. But that doesn't do justice to his football ability.
A small forward working up and down the ground, coupled with his forward-line pressure, he has become invaluable for Fremantle. A barometer for the Dockers. I've no doubt he is one of Ross Lyon's first picked.
(I'd even hazard a guess that if by chance Scarlett was to find Ballantyne at the bar, with a pot in hand, they would soon realise they had more in common than they would care to admit. Provided one did not tip the other off his bar stool.)
Crowley clearly undertakes his tagging roles in a different manner to all. He attempts to disarm his opponents by becoming mates during the match, chatting about trivial topics such as the weather or just the state of play. He also compliments his direct opponent for competing or winning the ball in a genuine manner that disarms his suckers. But would you want him playing on your team? Of course you would.
I've compiled that list just to show how differently players sometimes see the game, and their peers, to the paying public.
Of course, the punters have a right to their opinion - they pay their money to get in - it's just that they don't, or can't, see what we see out on the ground.
Conversely, what we hate are players who consistently dive, play for frees and complain to the umpires. Who get that stupid look on their face of ''what, wasn't me'' or, ''what on earth is that for?'' directed at the umpires.
Of course, the punters have a right to their opinion - they pay their money to get in - it's just that they don't, or can't, see what we see out on the ground.
Conversely, what we hate are players who consistently dive, play for frees and complain to the umpires. Who get that stupid look on their face of ''what, wasn't me'' or, ''what on earth is that for?'' directed at the umpires.

