News Rocky tells Rhys to pull his head... up?

[Robbo18!]

Just listened to the audio. I don't really think Tom took a stab at Rhys so much but the bit I caught was the message that in general its not a good thing for the game. My opinion is if this technique of dropping or lifting the arm for a high tackle is not eradicated from the game it will open the entire competition up to trying to perfect that technique to the point of making it nearly impossible to tackle around the upper body (waist to just below shoulders) Players have oil on their arms or simply sweat and in the pace of the tackle most of the time when the player lifts the arm the tacklers arms slips up. That's why so often the tackler gets so pissed at the tackled player.
Im all for head over the ball and attack the ball hard, but if this technique is not addressed there will be one or two outcomes:
more head high injuries
a situation where its abused and players will be hesitant to tackle because of the fear of drawing the free in congested situations especially around goal.

 

[notliondown]

Just listened to the audio. I don't really think Tom took a stab at Rhys so much but the bit I caught was the message that in general its not a good thing for the game. My opinion is if this technique of dropping or lifting the arm for a high tackle is not eradicated from the game it will open the entire competition up to trying to perfect that technique to the point of making it nearly impossible to tackle around the upper body (waist to just below shoulders) Players have oil on their arms or simply sweat and in the pace of the tackle most of the time when the player lifts the arm the tacklers arms slips up. That's why so often the tackler gets so pissed at the tackled player.
Im all for head over the ball and attack the ball hard, but if this technique is not addressed there will be one or two outcomes:
more head high injuries
a situation where its abused and players will be hesitant to tackle because of the fear of drawing the free in congested situations especially around goal.

I think you are exactly right, it wasn't a direct attack on Rhys but the impact that style is having on the game and team.

Unfortunately though in the world of 5 second grabs it was an incredibly poor choice of words. It's been such a hot topic since Rhys came on the scene (because no other player has EVER done it particularly a team captain or anything) that they would have been circling looking for exactly what they got. Now it will go viral with little regard for context or truth.

We're easy targets to the southern media. It's not Rocky's fault as such but he needs to be more careful. Lesson learned. Hopefully his first call was to Rhys after he realised what was going to happen.

 

[M Malice]

Just listened to the audio. I don't really think Tom took a stab at Rhys so much but the bit I caught was the message that in general its not a good thing for the game. My opinion is if this technique of dropping or lifting the arm for a high tackle is not eradicated from the game it will open the entire competition up to trying to perfect that technique to the point of making it nearly impossible to tackle around the upper body (waist to just below shoulders) Players have oil on their arms or simply sweat and in the pace of the tackle most of the time when the player lifts the arm the tacklers arms slips up. That's why so often the tackler gets so pissed at the tackled player.
Im all for head over the ball and attack the ball hard, but if this technique is not addressed there will be one or two outcomes:
more head high injuries
a situation where its abused and players will be hesitant to tackle because of the fear of drawing the free in congested situations especially around goal.

totally agree with this, i just don't think rocky should have even vaguely suggested in a public forum that rhys had done anything wrong. i saw a grab of drew petrie discussing much the same thing re lindsay thomas, petrie said lindsay is doing nothing wrong if the AFL sees anything wrong with it they can change the rules and the players will adjust. rocky should have just said something similar IMO.

 

[Dom PC]

Rocky put his foot in it. Hopefully he clears the air with Rhys and we move on.

 

[brizrider]

Yeah just read that Rockliff statement and came on here to complain about it. Glad others have beat me to it. Absolute bullshit thing to say from the captain

 

[Roylion]

Matheison should not try to stop drawing free kicks. If he is tackled he tries to shrug the tackle and/or force the tackler into making a mistake in his tackling technique which gains him a free kick.

That's his job.

 

[Elixuh]

Easier not to have an opinion and be a robot. Not worth it and should know better.

 

[Ruse]

If Rockliff focused on winning us some games instead of criticizing his teammates we wouldn't be on the bottom of the ****ing ladder. Really disappointed in the guy.

 

[Ruse]

Matheison should not try to stop drawing free kicks. If he is tackled he tries to shrug the tackle and/or force the tackler into making a mistake in his tackling technique which gains him a free kick.

That's his job.

Exactly its up to the opposition to tackle correctly not up to Matho to change his style so he would hurt people's feelings. I'm a really easy going guy but that quote from Rockliff made me really mad publicly chastising the kid when its not his fault he's only playing by the rules.

 

[Leemas]

Media sensationalise every story. You idiots believing rocky actually threw Rhys under a bus like that. Boys are much tighter behind closed doors than you think, this shit doesn't get to them at all and 99.99% of the time it's the media taking out the sound bites they choose.

 

[Crawb]

Rockliff has never been great with words; breaks the mound of the typical modern captain. Stuff like this with offhand comments occasional happens with a traditional sort of captain like Rockliff in the modern era. Wouldn't read too much into this specific incident, not ideal, but it's not a major drama.

 

[luthor]

Oh Tommy

Facepalm time.

 

[royboys4eva]

I haven't got a problem with it personally. The media are all over head duckers/dropping at the knees and Matho is fast becoming one of the poster boys for it. He did actually praise him as well and say he wins the ball he just needs to release it quicker which is 100% correct.

If the umpires and the game are going to crack down on this it's better to prepare the kid now. Without knowing Matho he looks like a knock about type who won't be highly offended and hasn't he just re signed the with the club? A win on Saturday will keep everyone happy.

As an old Fitzroy supporter i think no one has done a better job than Rocky in respecting our past and appreciating the jumper. I have no issue with him as captain.

 

[Milux]

Easier not to have an opinion and be a robot. Not worth it and should know better.

Then what would we all do without BigFooty.

 

[M Malice]

I haven't got a problem with it personally. The media are all over head duckers/dropping at the knees and Matho is fast becoming one of the poster boys for it. He did actually praise him as well and say he wins the ball he just needs to release it quicker which is 100% correct.

If the umpires and the game are going to crack down on this it's better to prepare the kid now. Without knowing Matho he looks like a knock about type who won't be highly offended and hasn't he just re signed the with the club? A win on Saturday will keep everyone happy.

As an old Fitzroy supporter i think no one has done a better job than Rocky in respecting our past and appreciating the jumper. I have no issue with him as captain.

as i stated earlier i didn't like it but i also agree with you that rocky has been great as a captain and i in no way think this is a big enough issue to question his captaincy long term. i'm also sure the boys will have a bit of a joke about it at the next training session and move on.

 

[M Malice]

Media sensationalise every story. You idiots believing rocky actually threw Rhys under a bus like that. Boys are much tighter behind closed doors than you think, this shit doesn't get to them at all and 99.99% of the time it's the media taking out the sound bites they choose.

that is one of those phrases where you mean the opposite of what it sounds like right? a playful term of endearment?

sort of like when i get called an old bastard.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Media sensationalise every story. You idiots believing rocky actually threw Rhys under a bus like that. Boys are much tighter behind closed doors than you think, this shit doesn't get to them at all and 99.99% of the time it's the media taking out the sound bites they choose.

The media sensationalism is exactly why Rocky needs to be careful. That is pretty much everyone's point.

 

[Haso]

Media sensationalise every story. You idiots believing rocky actually threw Rhys under a bus like that. Boys are much tighter behind closed doors than you think, this shit doesn't get to them at all and 99.99% of the time it's the media taking out the sound bites they choose.

I believe everybody's point is exactly that, that the media sensationalise stuff, and that Rocky should know this by now and should therefore guard what he says because his message will be distorted and create a misrepresentation of the relationship that they have behind closed doors, which is strong as you say.

Edit: What TBD said.

 

[Hollow Knight]

I believe everybody's point is exactly that, that the media sensationalise stuff, and that Rocky should know this by now and should therefore guard what he says because his message will be distorted and create a misrepresentation of the relationship that they have behind closed doors, which is strong as you say.

Ya idiot!

 

[luthor]

AFL WORLD RECOILS IN SHOCK!!!!!

The Football community is desperately trying to come to terms with the realisation that some players have recently been trying to avoid tackles. Worse, it seems that these nefarious tactics are sometimes resulting in free kicks for high contact.

The AFL Rules Committe has gone into lockdown in a desperate attempt to stamp out this blight on the game. It has sought the input of self -appointed meedja experts who have recently brought the issue to attention of the footy public.

It is believed that one suggestion that is gaining currency is to bring in a rule that requires the ball carrier to remain bolt upright at all times with their arms tucked in tightly. Downward vertical motion of any part of the legs, torso, or head that results in a high tackle being applied, will result in a free kick against the ball carrier and a 50 meter penalty being awarded to the tackler(s). Bending of the knees beyond a 15 degree angle when a potential tackler is within a 5 meter radius of the ball carrier will result in a "pre-tackle" free to such potential tacklers. This will be known the KDWPZ rule....that is... "knee-dropping within the Protected Zone" Rule.

Another solution under consideration is to equip umpires with mind-reading devices which will give them a useful tool in deciding the true intent of the ball carrier. This would kill two birds with the metaphorical one stone, since these devices would also be of tremendous value in allowing the officials to rule more accurately on the "deliberate" OOB rule.

MORE DETAILS IN OUR NEXT BULLETIN.

 

[James North]

I think Rocky will come out with a tweet saying he was just trying to feed the Beast.

 

[Skoob]

 

[Mr Ripper]

You'd be happy fighting in the trenches alongside Rock, but you wouldn't want him in the diplomacy corps.

 

[CarterS]

Didn't the article from Caro a month ago mention how Rock would be having a crack at players who didn't have their socks pulled up??! Sounds like my old U10s coach.

 

[James North]

View attachment 252802

Incredible that he said it a month ago.