Players and crowds.

[Gaspard]

The suggestion of a crack down on incidents like the Petty sledging at the weekend immediately made me think if hawthorn's Watson and the crowd. He was upset at a bottle thrown at him, but was happy to say he was giving the crowd plenty.
We are proceeding down a slippery slope. There is a sort of contract that allows footy to go on in the way it does. A mass crowd intensely involved in the actions of a small player group, the two separated by an imaginary line, the boundary. Both parties know which side of the line they have to stay on. When players deliberately bait the crowd, they threaten that contract. If the media continue to promote stupid "celebrations" and player interaction with crowds, I can see our sport going down the soccer road - razor wire fences to keep the parties separate. Much more of an issue than sledging.

 

[Hungdaddy]

Players giving a bit back isn’t the problem, fans throwing stuff is. If someone can’t handle a bit of swagger without losing the plot, that’s on them, not the player. Footy doesn’t need to be sanitised because a few people act like idiots.

 

[joe444]

I don't mind the cupping of the ear to the opposing fans after a goal, but otherwise don't engage.

Unless of course and apparently you are expressing your deep connection to your ancestors.