Tunneling

[Sanecow]

If you truly want to believe that this is the first time a player has bumped the lower half of another player in flight then continue with your ignorance. Really odd thing to do though considering that Glen Archer admits to it and there's older footage of it.

 

[Kildonan]

If you truly want to believe that this is the first time a player has bumped the lower half of another player in flight then continue with your ignorance.

Please don't assume to put words in the mouths of St Kilda posters in this forum. This is not what anyone said.

Your footage is inconclusive at best and your argument seems to be based on an "other people do it" mentality which is not a logical refutation, let alone a valid defence.

Please refrain from replying unless you do some serious work in putting together a reasonable discussion with valid evidence.

This is evidence

 

[saintharvs]

Have been reading the main board about this topic and can't believe the tripe that has been written. This is a tactic that has to be stopped before someone is seriously hurt. The person going for the mark cannot be interfered with and that is exactly what was happening with Roo. End of story.
And as for the people having a go at Roo's courage or other aspects of his character, lets just say they would have him in their side in a heart beat.

 

[35Harvs]

here's a pretty picture for those who can't grasp what it is, or think its ok.

As the article says, the umpires should have paid the free kick. Interfering with a player in the marking contest, when you don't have eyes for the ball or are not in position to actually mark/contest the ball yourself, is always a free kick (including a ruck contest!!)

next time, umps, pay the free & we won't have to talk about it for the next week

 

[bubblegoose]

here's a pretty picture for those who can't grasp what it is, or think its ok.

In this article Roos again claims someone is out to get him:

"...worked for Fraser during his playing days with Fitzroy selling office equipment. "I don't know if Archie is dirty on me because I didn't sell enough photocopiers..."

is he after sympathy? Poor guy ... cue the Black Sabbath ....

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[WASaintsFan08]

something really has to be done about the way paul roo's coaches....

but then again sydney get away with everything

barry halls blatent attacks on players (not just st kilda)

match fixing.. i dont care if he was cleared it was there

tunnelling...

useless style of footy thats turning fans away from the game


and when ever he is clearly caught doing these things... its always some ones out too get him

people like that shouldnt even be in the afl

 

[35Harvs]

In this article Roos again claims someone is out to get him:



is he after sympathy? Poor guy ... cue the Black Sabbath ....

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LOL, very funny!

 

[Rough_Edges]

**** I hate these Sydney pricks and everyone else saying "We are sooking"

don't be stupid.

If it was anyone of there forwards ESPECIALLY - Lloyd + Hall - they would be screaming bloody murder.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Kevin Sheedy has come out for years and had a go at teams for using supposed "illegal tactics". Like when West Coast was using blocks in the forward line, players cleaning up opponents from running off the back of the square. We raise this with concrete evidence and we get bagged for it. Short memories some people have.

 

[Squizz]

I can't believe some of the spin on the AFL thread. You'd think that they would struggle to see how any frees could be paid against the Swans. One-eyed supporters are one thing - but no-eyed fanatics are just a complete waste of space.

Some of our lot have been losing their rag over there, but it's good that some supporters from other teams have seen the light.

We don't want an investigation - just pay the free kicks that are there staring you in the face. FFS - on one of them Bolthead was miles under the ball even though Rooey jumped early, and didn't even lift an arm towards the ball (just doesn't make sense to say there's no free there)

I did laugh at one of the insults, where Roo got called llama (well, he does a bit).

 

[Persevering Saint]

Look, who was quoted in the article? Gehrig? No. Roo? No. Lyon? No. Kosi? No. Anybody in any way shape or form connected to the St Kilda Football Club? No. It was Matthew Richardson. He's speaking up as a professional for a tactic that threatens the health of players in his role. He's also warning that somebody could become a quadraplegic from it.

But, no, that's not as important as some football team getting four points in a competition, is it.

Hell, if it's not stamped out, change the name of Telstra STADIUM to the Colloseam. I thought we were watchin Australian football, not Roman gladiators.

They're not called the "bloods" for nothing - "bloodthirstys" it should be.

 

[SJT76]

I was born in NZ and have watched a hell of a lot of rugby (union, not league). What we're talking about is completely outlawed in rugby, and there are two situations where it happens:

1) in a lineout, where the other side collapses across the gap and goes under the legs; and
2) when chasing an up-and-under kick, where the defender jumps for the ball and the chaser just runs through his legs.

Both are treated as serious penalties, and in the modern game can result in yellow/red cards. However, it's much easier to identify these instances in a rugby game where you know where the players are coming from. What about in a pack mark where the player comes over the top - what should the step-ladder do? Can he try to back through the leap to avoid being used as a step-ladder?

I agree that blatantly taking the legs out of a jumping player should be penalised, but it needs to be done carefully.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Does it all come down to the way umpires interpret (or fail to interpret) rules?

It seems they like clear cut ruling's like hand in the back. it happened or it didn't and it gets paid even if it was harmless.
Interfering with a mark requires some sort of decision or judgement, so therefore it is harder to decide and is easier to let go.


These guys need to think, " did that move look dangerous?", "Is there a rule that can be used against it?"

 

[Squizz]

To KirkyIsDog (comments deservedly removed?): Geez, Kirk played well now that I think about it. I think his best piece of play was when he gathered and did a belly flop over the boundary to avoid a tackle.

Speaking of soft, I think we should send a bubble up to Sydney for Roosy to live in - his skin is getting a little thin. Dunno about eating dim sims with the AFL, as if someone farted Roosy might get offended.

As for Bolthead, his comment that he was just trying to get in best position to mark the ball brings his brain into question rather than his tactics. What, best position by running 3m under the ball? Better off not saying anything, rather than getting the shovel out.

 

[FatBoy's Wombats]

As an outsider looking in. I think the saints have a point. I was sitting watching the game and got very p*#sed off by bolton using these tactics. It happened at virtually every contest where Riewoldt was on the lead and had a decent stretch for the ball (at least 3 times). How can Bolton be holding his ground when he is moving in the same direction? Watching Riewoldt run and jump is one of those beautiful things about the game.

Truth is Sydney have not got a player with the Athletic ability to go with him so in my opinion they or Bolton used underhanded tactics. Very very poor. There is a difference if Riewoldt jump into a contest from the side and the player stood his ground then fine, but that is not what happened on the weekend.

 

[garth p]

As an outsider looking in. I think the saints have a point. I was sitting watching the game and got very p*#sed off by bolton using these tactics. It happened at virtually every contest where Riewoldt was on the lead and had a decent stretch for the ball (at least 3 times). How can Bolton be holding his ground when he is moving in the same direction? Watching Riewoldt run and jump is one of those beautiful things about the game.

Truth is Sydney have not got a player with the Athletic ability to go with him so in my opinion they or Bolton used underhanded tactics. Very very poor. There is a difference if Riewoldt jump into a contest from the side and the player stood his ground then fine, but that is not what happened on the weekend.

They won't be getting away with it in future.

 

[Bourky23]

In this article Roos again claims someone is out to get him:

is he after sympathy? Poor guy ... cue the Black Sabbath ....

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hahaha sharp work

 

[Squizz]

Found this interesting after the howls of denial from the Sydney supporters on the main board earlier in the year :

North Melbourne and Sydney were last night at loggerheads after Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley instigated the first major feud of this year's finals series. Laidley accused Sydney of the controversial defensive tactic of "tunnelling".

He said the Roos called AFL umpires coach Rowan Sawers yesterday, with the league admitting several tunnelling free kicks should have been paid in the Round 6 draw.

Laidley said Leo Barry and Craig Bolton used the tactic, which involves defenders dangerously tilting opponents under the ball by targeting their legs when in mid-air.

"Last time we played the Swans, I thought our key forwards were tunnelled. I thought their arms were taken," Laidley said. "We have spoken to the umpires department this morning and they acknowledged they probably missed some stuff - Leo Barry on Nathan Thompson and Craig Bolton.

"They are very good at it, the Swans. But we are going to have the best umpires this weekend and I am sure they won't miss it this weekend. I am sure it will be at the forefront of their minds."

The AFL last night said it would not divulge Sawers' comments to North.

 

[FixterFan]

Found this interesting after the howls of denial from the Sydney supporters on the main board earlier in the year :

North Melbourne and Sydney were last night at loggerheads after Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley instigated the first major feud of this year's finals series. Laidley accused Sydney of the controversial defensive tactic of "tunnelling".

He said the Roos called AFL umpires coach Rowan Sawers yesterday, with the league admitting several tunnelling free kicks should have been paid in the Round 6 draw.

Laidley said Leo Barry and Craig Bolton used the tactic, which involves defenders dangerously tilting opponents under the ball by targeting their legs when in mid-air.

"Last time we played the Swans, I thought our key forwards were tunnelled. I thought their arms were taken," Laidley said. "We have spoken to the umpires department this morning and they acknowledged they probably missed some stuff - Leo Barry on Nathan Thompson and Craig Bolton.

"They are very good at it, the Swans. But we are going to have the best umpires this weekend and I am sure they won't miss it this weekend. I am sure it will be at the forefront of their minds."

The AFL last night said it would not divulge Sawers' comments to North.

Read this article:
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/north-have-air-swing-at-swans/2008/09/01/1220121139704.html

Roos said he was told the umpires did not have any problems with the way the Sydney defenders were playing

"I don't know if there's an agenda there he wants to follow, but given his comments I thought it appropriate to speak to Rowan and he has no concerns of recent times over players at our club."

Look over the Kangaroos game again, and you'll not see any "tunnelling" tactics whatsoever. The missed free kicks that Sawers refer to are things like chopping the arms, hands in the back and jumping too early - you know, the things that are missed EVERY SINGLE WEEK on players of all teams. Just go back to last week and take a look at the 4 times Hall had his arms chopped by Merrett without a free kick being given. Laidley's minced the umpire's words to fit his own tale. Bloody cheater and coward.

 

[Squizz]

Your ears were burning?

I only caught the last bit of the North game (which was controversial enough). The timing of Laidley's comments is interesting though.

But found it noteworthy given we thought that Bolton was clearly employing the tactic (against the Saints) which is dangerous.

 

[Rick18]

Your ears were burning?

I only caught the last bit of the North game (which was controversial enough). The timing of Laidley's comments is interesting though.

But found it noteworthy given we thought that Bolton was clearly employing the tactic (against the Saints) which is dangerous.

Mine too

Look, the comments probably didn't need to be made, but everyone (except an ignorant few) knows they do employ the tactics from time to time, and if going public with this stops them from using this, and helps us with the rub of the green on Saturday night, then I think Dean's done his job. If anyone's interested, there's footage of Mattner tunneling Edwards in this link. I see Mattner using his hip to take Edwards off balance and then pulling him down with his arm, making him land awkwardly. That's just what I see though.