In the wake of Essendon’s tragic defeat at the hands of St Kilda last night, everyone’s favourite whiner Paul Roos is in the hot seat following an allegation he urged one of his own forwards to help ensure the Swans lost their NAB cup game to the Hawthorn/Tasmanian Hawks.
Apparently, an interchange steward reported comments made by Roos late in the game played in Launceston. The Herald Sun reports that the steward told league officials that Roos used words to the effect of: "Go forward, just don't kick a goal."
Now we know that ‘Snooze’ Roos doesn’t care too much about the pre-season comp (no wins in six years), but to actually have evidence that they played dead is pretty explosive. Remember, this is on top of a six year stint as coach with what appears to be the central goals of (in order of importance) first, annoying me and second, destroying football from within by employing a dull, negative and unwatchable game plan.
The game is considered a ‘live’ one, with hefty admission fees charged and betting allowed. At the very least, Snooze owes an explanation to all of the Swans fans who travelled and parted their hard earned to see what must surely be the most boring team in the history of the game not make a proper effort to win. Some might say they asked for it, but not I.
If the allegation stands, how the AFL can do anything other than severely sanction the Swans is beyond me. It is one thing to have named a reserves outfit, have your best players on the bench, or even take an inordinate amount of time with interchanges, but to actually take the next step and order players not to score so as not to win, well that is a whole other matter.
I know nothing at all about horse racing, but aren’t there rules about not trying? In other sports, allegations like this have attracted life bans. Whatever happens, yet again Snooze has damaged the game with his dour and mean-spirited approach.
Henry is so upset about this, and this morning was calling for Roos’s head, and at the very least the docking of 20 points for the Swans in the upcoming season. Harsh, I feel, but perhaps fair.
Apparently, an interchange steward reported comments made by Roos late in the game played in Launceston. The Herald Sun reports that the steward told league officials that Roos used words to the effect of: "Go forward, just don't kick a goal."
Now we know that ‘Snooze’ Roos doesn’t care too much about the pre-season comp (no wins in six years), but to actually have evidence that they played dead is pretty explosive. Remember, this is on top of a six year stint as coach with what appears to be the central goals of (in order of importance) first, annoying me and second, destroying football from within by employing a dull, negative and unwatchable game plan.
The game is considered a ‘live’ one, with hefty admission fees charged and betting allowed. At the very least, Snooze owes an explanation to all of the Swans fans who travelled and parted their hard earned to see what must surely be the most boring team in the history of the game not make a proper effort to win. Some might say they asked for it, but not I.
If the allegation stands, how the AFL can do anything other than severely sanction the Swans is beyond me. It is one thing to have named a reserves outfit, have your best players on the bench, or even take an inordinate amount of time with interchanges, but to actually take the next step and order players not to score so as not to win, well that is a whole other matter.
I know nothing at all about horse racing, but aren’t there rules about not trying? In other sports, allegations like this have attracted life bans. Whatever happens, yet again Snooze has damaged the game with his dour and mean-spirited approach.
Henry is so upset about this, and this morning was calling for Roos’s head, and at the very least the docking of 20 points for the Swans in the upcoming season. Harsh, I feel, but perhaps fair.
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