What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 2

[VitalDread]

Tom Browne is the biggest grub in the media, would feel zero shame as well.

#BREAKING #BREAKING #IGOTTHESTORYFIRST

 

[Pugz89]

#BREAKING #BREAKING #IGOTTHESTORYFIRST

#Exclusive #BigFooty

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Whatever happened to the VFL coach Bob Murphy played under in his first year as an AFL-listed player?
MARK ROBINSON, Herald Sun
April 21, 2017 8:00pm
Subscriber only
SEVENTEEN years ago, when Bob Murphy still had pimples and was in his first season as an AFL-listed player, he inadvertently played a role in a story which would shape football forever.

Bob did nothing consequential other than play back flank for one certain young coach when another coach wanted him to play on a wing.

There are all sorts of stories of what happened 17 years ago, and people there at the time have differing accounts.

The fact is Bob was playing for Werribee under this certain young coach, and because Werribee was aligned to the Western Bulldogs at the time, then Bulldogs senior coach Terry Wallace believed he was allowed strong input into who played, and where, in his feeder team.



This certain young coach was a strong-willed young man who wanted to coach his way and although he believed he was nurturing his young players, not everyone at the Bulldogs agreed.

Bob didn’t know anything of this back then.

As an 18-year-old, his head was in the clouds.

Laconic in life and seemingly without any sense of urgency in football — “I didn’t even wear a watch back then’’ — he had moved from Warragul to the city to play footy.

Bob Murphy back in 2000.
He remembers his first coach with fondness.

“I don’t remember him being a tyrant or anything like that,’’ Bob said this week.

“I remember him being really supportive and I loved those players. I was only there for a year and a bit but I really felt part of that club and those players.’’

And the certain young coach?

“I remember him being delicate with me. He was a good motivator and he would pump up the boys but I never felt intimidated by him or scared to talk to him, which you shouldn’t be.’’

Of course, it was in that season he had his first real conversations with Wallace.

They met when Bob was drafted in the class of ’99.

It was fruitful draft for the Bulldogs. Bob went at No.13 ahead of Daniel Giansiracusa (No.32), Patrick Wiggins (No.35), Mitch Hahn (No.37), Lindsay Gilbee (No.43), Patrick Bowden (No.58) and Ryan Hargrave (No.66).

“I was always amazed at Plough, that he could watch a game of footy and he could pick up on nuances which I kind of thought only I would’ve noticed,’’ Bob said.

“He had a razor sharp eye. I remember I was emergency for weeks in a row and he was coaching me.

Murphy (right) with fellow Bulldog draftees Ryan Hargrave, Daniel Giansiracusa, Lindsay Gilbee, Mitch Hahn and Patrick Bowden.
“He’d tell me I’d need to win more of my own ball and I’d go do that and it felt like everything he asked me I ticked off and eventually I played.’’

He played Rounds 19, 20 and 21 — and what a memorable start to a career.

His first game was against Carlton, kicking the match-winning goal when the Bulldogs snapped the Blues’ 13-game winning streak.

He didn’t touch the ball in Round 20 against Collingwood — but somehow kept his spot.

“I heard whispers in the locker room where they were going to fill my locker with cinnamon doughnuts, but thankfully they never did,’’ Bob said of his statless game.

And then they met Essendon in Round 21, that famous game in which the Bulldogs stopped the Bombers from winning every match of the season.

Bob Murphy leads the Dogs out onto the field for a pre-season game. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
“It was an amazing first three weeks. You talk about being a kid, but I was a kid — 18, physically a boy, year 12 at Footscray City College and all that.’’

Wallace doesn’t know exactly what happened with this certain young coach, albeit that the certain young coach departed at the end of 2000 and coached interstate in 2001.

But Wallace remembers there were issues.

This certain young coach had a host of 25-year-olds and a bunch of 18-year-olds and from a development point of view, Wallace was in a rush to fast-forward the teenagers.

What didn’t help was that the Bulldogs were aligned with two teams - Werribee and Williamstown - and both naturally wanted their own success.

“We were in development mode,’’ Wallace said. “(The certain young coach) was definitely his own person and he was all about winning ... this is my team and I will run my team how I want to run my team sort of thing.

“From our point of view, at that stage if we couldn’t get our development mode going, we would’ve aligned with somebody else.’’

So, why was this certain young coach out of a job at season’s end?

“I have no idea how it played out, but at the end of the year he was gone,’’ Wallace said.

“Our call was we needed to be able to develop our players and we needed to have a relationship with Werribee, and it wasn’t me talking to them, it was above me.

Easton Wood and Bob Murphy with the 2016 premiership cup. Picture: Michael Klein
“But we needed a better relationship where at least we could have that coach on our match committee understanding what we needed to do with our players so we could fast-track our players.

“It wasn’t happening so therefore there were changes made.

“(This certain young coach) is a smart enough guy and was very understanding of what we were trying to do, but he was also a dogged and determined enough person that he needed to do what he needed to do.’’

Chris Bond replaced this certain young coach at the end of the 2000 season.

While Bob Murphy has come a long way since 2000 and will touch greatness, so too has the certain young coach to thank.

His name was Alastair Clarkson and he, just like Bob, became one of the greats of his generation.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson coached Bob Murphy in his first year of AFL.
While Bob’s milestone isn’t about Clarkson, it must be said that Clarkson’s move from Werribee to Central Districts was enforced in some way and thankfully for him, it all worked out.

Clarkson remembers Bob as wiry young man with incredible skill on both sides of the body.

“I remember him then as I observe him now - an unbelievably gifted ball-user,’’ Clarkson said.

“We played him half-back and a little bit of wing so he could avoid the bash and crash of on-ball. As it’s turned it, while he’s got a bit bigger and stronger, he’s still as skinny as a rake and looks like schoolboy.

It was Bob’s character and leadership, even at 18, which stood out.

“I don’t know the reason why, but my understanding of Bob is he’s a little bit different to others, he was always a guy who was going to be a leader to me,’’ Clarkson said.

“Strangely enough he would be friends with the most obscure people you wouldn’t think he would be friends with. I don’t know anyone to this day who has said a bad word about Bob Murphy. That was reflective of his character even as a 17-yeat-old.’’

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Bob Murphy has made just as big an impact off the field as on with Western Bulldogs
ELIZA SEWELL, Herald Sun
April 21, 2017 8:00pm
Subscriber only
BOB Murphy is superman and everyman.

It’s some mix, but a walk through the west — Murphy’s patch for the past 18 years — in the week of his 300th game reveals how, in ways inspiring and otherwise, he makes his mark.

This amble evidence collected on an almost balmy Thursday goes some way to explaining football’s most warming modern phenomenon.

Advieh is a Middle Eastern cafe away from the main strip in Seddon. Stained glass windows of green and yellow frame the front of the store. There are hanging lamps and generous tables, the type you can spread a paper out on.

Amy Winehouse warbles as a French guy named Mika (just like the singer, he says) says he knows nothing about AFL.

He certainly didn’t know who Bob was when he first saw him.

“I remember comparing him with a French actor called Vincent Cassel (from Oceans 12) … I was like ‘yeah, you look like him, like a famous French actor’, he was like ‘who’s that’ and I showed him a photo on my phone,” Mika says.

“My head barista … he’s an Aussie guy so he knows a bit about footy he was like, ‘This guy, he’s the Bulldogs captain, he’s a bit of a legend’.

Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Vincent Cassel in a scene from Ocean's Twelve.
“I was like ‘oh really?’. So I felt a bit awkward about me comparing him to a French actor and then this guy being a legend in his sport.

“He’s very humble. He doesn’t play the superstar. I didn’t know who he was! He didn’t seem arrogant (to) me, I just consider him … a normal person that comes in the cafe.”

Mika’s boss, Gene Kapaufs, is a Doggies man. He has a big Bulldog emblazoned on his van. That was commissioned well before the flag, he’s proud to say.

He met Bob about four years ago and has been serving him chicken schnitzel wraps with zucchini pancake on the side ever since.

“When Bob started coming, that’s when all the other (Bulldogs) boys started coming,” Kapaufs says

“He’s a nice guy. A genuine nice guy.”

Down Gamon St and across busy Somerville Rd, through the village-like lanes of Yarraville, we find Anderson St’s Railway Hotel.

Owner Jason Sneddon, a Bulldog, painted it blue, red and white ahead of the Grand Final and he hosted the players in the ecstatic aftermath. Mad Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday … … you get the picture.

Railway Hotel owner and passionate Bulldogs supporter Jason Sneddon. Picture: Kylie Else
“I was actually there for his first game, I remember back down at Princes Park, we were playing Carlton and I saw this spindly little kid out on the field and I thought one of the little leaguers had overstayed his welcome,” Sneddon said.

“He’s gone on to have an amazing career.

“He’s a pretty extroverted character, he’s pretty popular amongst his teammates … He’s a great fella who empathises with people and gets along with all sorts of people and I think that’s what’s made him such a great leader of the club and a role model for society.”

Time to trek back into the heart of Footscray, winding up past Victoria Uni then down Albert St past the paint shop whose horse has returned to white after sporting the Bulldogs colours in the lead up to September last year.


On Hopkins St, Pho Hung Vuong Saigon can be lost among the throng of Vietnamese restaurants — for the uninitiated, that is.

Matt Preston once described enjoying a bowl of pho at Hung Vuong as “the sort of feed that leaves you feeling virtuous”.

I remember seeing Murphy there one time. Just another bloke slurping down his soup in the corner.

It seems silly, but it somehow validated my choice of restaurant. Of the countless places on Hopkins St, my favourite was also Bob’s.

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Beloved Bob all set for 300
Le Phat has owned the floor at Hung Vuong — with his statement hairdo, shaved on one side, and catwalk swagger — for about five years.

Music clips play on two big screens, Guy Sebastian is centre stage.

The service here is what I’d describe as “kind stern”. Customers don’t usually need a menu because they know what they’re here for.

Phat looks confused when I ask him about Bob Murphy. The footballer? Still nothing. Western Bulldogs captain, he comes in here? Ah, yes, that’s the trigger.

He eats real chicken noodle soup, sometimes has rice paper rolls and a mineral water, Phat says.

Before Footscray became a Vietnamese hub, the Europeans dominated the streets.

Tony Cavallaro’s pasticceria, set up by his dad Tommaso 62 years ago, remains on Hopkins St and is still pumping out its famous ricotta cannoli, for which I can now vouch.

Cavallaro’s shop has the Western Bulldogs premiership poster on the front door.

Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy takes a picture with a fan at training. Picture: Michael Klein
His wife, Rosa, greets me and when I say the magic words she laughs and heads straight out the back to grab Tony.

“Who wants to talk about my idol?” Tony says with a brilliant grin.

Over cannoli, not broken, never broken, always eaten whole, and a coffee, his eyes light up. It’s a sight I’ve seen a lot today.

“I’ve always loved him,” Cavallaro says.

“When he went down last year, I would say that was probably the worst feeling that I’d had in football.

“You think: ‘Bob’s done his knee, he’s 34, he’s gone.’ But for him to come back and play the level of football that he has, it just tells you about the character of the guy.

“He wasn’t out there on Grand Final day but I think the Bulldogs, they were inspired by him to perform.”

Heading west, Hopkins morphs into Barkly St and crossing Geelong Rd, Whitten Oval is close at hand. At the home, literal and spiritual, of the Dogs, a familiar looking guy is stocking up on Bob 300 gear.

Bob Murphy injured his knee in Round 3 last year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
It’s former Racing Victoria chief steward Des Gleeson. He’s happy to talk about the boy from Warragul; his precision passing, the way he weaves through the backline.

“I think he’s playing better now than he has at any stage of his career,” Gleeson says.

“It’s a wonderful milestone and wouldn’t it be great if (they) could go on and win back-to-back, especially for Bob.

“He’s a wonderful role model for the young Bulldogs coming through. I know my kids at home, my grandkids, they adore him.”

The Bob 300 stubby holders have been popular, but it’s the jumper Murphy designed, complete with the throwback red collar, that’s been the biggest hit.

Sean Budge has snuck out on his lunch break to nab a guernsey.

“I love this place, I love this club, I love Bob and I love this collar, it’s beautiful,” Budge says.

“Last year’s Grand Final, it still breaks my heart, but he’ll get one this year.”

Debra and Barry Migga are lifelong Bulldogs fans. They grew up in Maidstone and Braybrook, just around the corner.

“He’s been awesome, an inspiration,” Barry says of his skipper. “A great player, resilient, he’s come back from two knee reconstructions, everyone loves him.”

Debra admires his passion for the club.

“He’s like all us supporters, we actually just love the club and that’s what he gives us back as well, he gives us back a lot of love,” Debra says.

Scott Sagona says Murphy signifies everything the Western Bulldogs are about.

“From where we were two and a half years ago to where we are now, it’s credit to him,” Sagona says.

“He’s brought all the players together, the fans together. I can’t thank him enough, really.”

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Barrett odds-on, surely?

The ironing of TJ taking the high moral ground and questioning another journalists ethics is quite amusing.

 

[Trent85]

Not sure if this was already posted...

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/a...ment-by-western-bulldogs-20170422-gvqdp9.html

An autistic teenager who was bashed on a bus a week ago has been given VIP treatment by his favourite AFL team, the Western Bulldogs.

Jayden D'Abaco, 17, was treated to a pre-game behind-the-scenes look at the Doggies at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

He also joined players on the ground before the Bulldogs' win against the Brisbane Lions in captain Bob Murphy's 300th game.

It was a welcome distraction for the teen who was assaulted by five youths while travelling on a bus at Tarneit in Melbourne's west on April 15.

A group of youths demanded that Jayden hand over his runners and mobile phone and attacked him when he refused.

After he was kicked, Jayden said he hit his head on the bus window and suffered concussion.

Three days after the attack, Jayden told 3AW he was too "scared to leave my front door of my house".

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/a...ment-by-western-bulldogs-20170422-gvqdp9.html

Good to see the young man getting back out there and kudos to our club for giving a helping hand/making a special day for him.

 

[bresker]

ABC 774 running a piece right now about the effect the premiership had on the club & western suburbs

 

[Hard Ball Get]

If I post the good stuff here, I might as well post the stuff that reflects poorly...

There's a video of it, but I can't upload it. He's not wearing any club apparel thankfully.

Etihad Stadium management investigating allegations an AFL fan racially abused a Lions trainer
Peter Rolfe, Herald Sun
April 23, 2017 4:53pm
POLICE are investigating the latest racial abuse scandal to hit the AFL with the hunt on to identify a man at Saturday’s Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane clash.

Police and Etihad Stadium management are probing claims a fan shouted racist slurs towards a Brisbane Lions trainer after video of the incident was shared by another spectator.

The footage shows a man allegedly shouting “go back to the f---ing Chinese takeaway, you d---head,” after a trainer caused a 50m penalty during the Lions clash with Western Bulldogs.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson confirmed police were probing the incident.

“Victoria Police is investigating an incident of racial abuse at the Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions AFL match at Etihad Stadium yesterday,’’ she said.

A spectator at the match said the man was yelling obscene comments throughout the match, including at umpires.

“Fans were disgusted and staff was notified,’’ he said. “He yelled abuse out all game to the umpires as well.

The ugly incident has marred the 300th match of Western Bulldogs legend Robert Murphy (left). Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
“It’s crazy that so much abuse occurs at the footy, including racial (abuse).’’

Another spectator who contacted the Herald Sun said he was sitting two rows behind the man and believes he was barracking for the Western Bulldogs.

“He was a Western Bulldogs supporter,’’ he said.

“He also went on to make a comment in front of young children that he bet that the ‘Asian’ runner was on a 457 visa.

“Not anywhere near acceptable and hope he is banned for life.’’

A witness described the incident to Yahoo 7.

“The man, of Asian descent, accidentally ran across Bob Murphy’s mark kicking for goal causing a 50m penalty,” he said.

“Fans were disgusted and staff were notified. A gentleman behind me took notes on his seating and section number and passed it onto the staff at the ground.”

It is understood the stadium’s anti-social behaviour text message service was not used, and the AFL is working with police in a bid to identify the man.

An AFL fan is filmed allegedly hurling racial abuse at a trainer
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the league would “provide whatever information or assistance is sought’’ from police.

“We would repeat again that such behaviour is never welcome around our matches and we are pleased that a crowd member has provided information to the police so they can act,’’ he said.

Both clubs and the league are unsure about who the man in the video supports.

The incident comes less than a fortnight after AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said racism in the sport would not be tolerated in the wake of two separate off-field incidents after the Showdown in Adelaide earlier this month.

“The message I want to make is that from (AFL) Commission chairman Richard Goyder down, we are resolute in tackling these issues, and calling them out,” McLachlan said.

“Racism wounds people, it hurts communities, and racism has no place in our game. We have come a long way on field and we have come a long way off field, but there are still isolated instances.

“We are going to keep tackling them, we are going to keep calling them out and we are going to keep working with our supporters and our fans ... we will deal with this issue in absolute terms.”

 

[Hard Ball Get]

From Robbo's likes...

Versatility:
EVERY premiership team says it has to improve — and clearly one aspect the Western Bulldogs have focused on is their versatility. According to Champion Data, Luke Beveridge flips the magnets like a card shark on Mulberry St in New York, and right now the Bulldogs are the hardest team to identify a player with a single position (just like Hawthorn between 2013-15).

On Saturday Marcus Adams went forward in the first half, where he was outstanding, and then played back in the second half. Bob Murphy has also become more than a pinch-hit forward this season.

Bob Murphy:
THE time has come — and even Bob Murphy agrees. It’s time to focus on anything but Bob. It was a topsy-turvy game which finished with what we all wanted — smiles, singing and back slapping after the game. Losses on big milestone days are the pits. This wasn’t. A bloke tweeted on Sunday — “I’m bobbed out” — and Bob retweeted it before posting his own message, which said in part: “Thank you to the @brisbanelions. All class. That’s enough from me for a while ...”

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-26/on-trend-the-stats-that-show-how-your-team-is-playing

The premiers have improved their scoring efficiency significantly this season, with scores per inside 50 rising from 15th in 2016 (43.6 per cent) to third best at 52.9 per cent. The Dogs have also enhanced their ability to hurt the opposition rebounding from defensive 50, jumping from a lowly 16th (15.1 per cent) to the AFL's second best efficiency of 22.1 per cent. However, coach Luke Beveridge would be frustrated that his side's goal kicking has remained poor, with the Dogs dipping from an average of 47 per cent last season to second last with 43 per cent. While the Dogs have remained one of the competition's highest possession sides, they are laying more tackles in 2017. They are currently the number one tackling team (384) with an average of 76 per game, up from 67 per cent. - Ryan Davidson

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

Not sure if this has been posted before, apologies if it has.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...or-first-time-since-july-20170426-gvszp0.html

 

[doggies ftw]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-26/on-trend-the-stats-that-show-how-your-team-is-playing

Interesting stats, and they back up what I've been watching I'd say. We've been moving the ball cleaner making much better entries for ourselves and hitting up targets inside 50 more often but geez are we bad at converting! Get that right and we'll be sweet. Much less taxing way to play too which is what I suspect we're trying to do.

 

[Golden_6]

Interesting stats, and they back up what I've been watching I'd say. We've been moving the ball cleaner making much better entries for ourselves and hitting up targets inside 50 more often but geez are we bad at converting! Get that right and we'll be sweet. Much less taxing way to play too which is what I suspect we're trying to do.

I wouldn't be all that worried about our performances at this point as Bevo would be all across it. He's now looking to find easier ways to win (not doing a very good job of it so far) rather than just relying on our constant effort and hunger to scrape over the line.

 

[doggies ftw]

I wouldn't be all that worried about our performances at this point as Bevo would be all across it. He's now looking to find easier ways to win (not doing a very good job of it so far) rather than just relying on our constant effort and hunger to scrape over the line.

Yeah absolutely. I think a lot of people here don't understand that. Yes our finals run was brilliant, brutal football but there's no ****ing way we can keep that up for 6 months straight.

 

[The Original Swooper]

Yeah absolutely. I think a lot of people here don't understand that. Yes our finals run was brilliant, brutal football but there's no ******* way we can keep that up for 6 YEARS straight.

EFA.

 

[gangsta deluxe]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...m-a-premiership-hangover-20170427-gvtqiu.html

Carey has become a massive spud.



Is Western Bulldogs star Tom Boyd suffering from a premiership hangover?

• Wayne Carey

146 reading now



Most players will experience a moment when they know they belong at AFL level, and for Tom Boyd it seemed like the grand final was that moment.

No matter what happens for the remainder of his career, that day can never be taken away from him. He stood tall on the biggest stage and ultimately delivered the Western Bulldogs a premiership, in turn ensuring their multimillion-dollar investment has already paid off.




FootyFix: Tiges facing massive test against Crows
Rohan Connolly previews all the footy action ahead of round 6 in the AFL.

But while that performance might live long in the memory for Dogs fans, Boyd now needs to ask himself: do I want to be remembered simply for a great grand final? Or do I want to want to be remembered as one of the greats, full stop?

Ultimately, the answer will come from his mental application. The very best players challenge themselves to get better every year, and I just wonder whether Boyd's had that frame of mind over the summer.

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Tom Boyd took a knock to the cheekbone against North Melbourne on Good Friday. Photo: Getty Images
Let's not forget in last year's preliminary final he shouldered the ruck duties when Jordan Roughead went down injured. That performance was arguably as good as his grand final, despite being very different.

While his match against the Giants wasn't necessarily a big one on the stats sheet, it was dogged, hard-nosed and dour. He did what he had to do to get the job done. If you'd said before that day he'd be one-out against Shane Mumford, you'd think he was in for a flogging, but that wasn't the case.

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The following week in the grand final he showed another side to his game, taking pack marks and kicking important goals. He didn't win the Norm Smith Medal, but I had him best on ground. That fortnight should have been the catalyst for a big season in 2017.

Yes, he's had his moments, and wouldn't be playing if Luke Beveridge didn't think he'd done the work, but has Boyd done everything he could to prepare? Or did he think it was just going to happen? I can't talk on his behalf, but given what Boyd produced in September and the confidence he would have gained by playing at such a high-level in the biggest game of his life, I've expected more.

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Tom Boyd's effort against Shane Mumford in the prelim was arguably as good as his grand final. Photo: AFL Media/Getty Images
In five games this season he has taken just one contested mark. In the grand final he took six. As a ruck-forward he just needs to go from contest to contest, but right now he still seems to have workrate issues and floats in and out of games.

Having said that, in a lot of ways his form mirrors that of the Dogs as a whole. Last year their premiership was built on manic pressure and winning the ball in tight. So far, they haven't been able to match that approach. The fact they've had five weeks less preparation than most sides could be a factor, but heading into round six they should have reached that real match-hardness.

The Dogs are playing a slightly different brand, and while it's allowed them to score more heavily, it's also allowed them to be scored against more easily as we saw against Brisbane last week. They're playing in bursts, rather than for the full four-quarters. At four and one it's not a major concern, but they won't be able to bring that spasmodic effort to Canberra when they take on GWS.

In the preliminary final, I thought the Giants might get the Dogs on the outside with their speed and run, but Beveridge's men were simply hungrier when it counted. They won the 50-50 contests and when their opponents had the ball they made sure tackles were rarely broken. If they don't bring that same intensity on Friday night and plan for a shootout I think the Giants will win and win well.

In five games this season he has taken just one contested mark. In the grand final he took six.

There's no doubt their last meeting will be at the forefront of everyone's thinking in Western Sydney and particularly for Jeremy Cameron. After a massive qualifying final in which he booted five goals against Sydney, Cameron produced one of the worst games he's played against the Dogs.

But in contrast to Boyd, there's been a real steeliness about his start to the season and it seems like his mental preparation has been top-class.

Cameron looks hungry and is attacking the footy more than ever. Like his teammates, he'll be hoping to erase those demons of 2016 on the Friday night stage. On the other hand, the Dogs can really press home a mental advantage against a side they're likely to face again later in the year.

This match has already become somewhat of a new age rivalry given the links between the two clubs. Callan Ward left the Dogs for the money in Sydney, while Boyd and Ryan Griffen traded places a few years ago.

Since then there's been no lack of feeling and given their age demographics it's likely be a strong rivalry for some time. While Boyd is still a work in progress, what better way to prove he really is a consistent big-time player, than by toppling his former team once again?

 

[Next Waiting]

For ol' times sake. Jeremy Cameron was always my favourite bit.

 

[The Inbetweener]

Had to laugh at Sam McClure's article today on Wallis.

Something along the lines of "other than key forwards Travis Cloke, Stuart Crameri, Jack Redpath, ruckman Jordan Roughead and key defender Dale Morris, they have a full team to choose from"

Not like those guys are important at all!

 

[go you pups]

If I post the good stuff here, I might as well post the stuff that reflects poorly...

There's a video of it, but I can't upload it. He's not wearing any club apparel thankfully.

Etihad Stadium management investigating allegations an AFL fan racially abused a Lions trainer
Peter Rolfe, Herald Sun
April 23, 2017 4:53pm
POLICE are investigating the latest racial abuse scandal to hit the AFL with the hunt on to identify a man at Saturday’s Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane clash.

Police and Etihad Stadium management are probing claims a fan shouted racist slurs towards a Brisbane Lions trainer after video of the incident was shared by another spectator.

The footage shows a man allegedly shouting “go back to the f---ing Chinese takeaway, you d---head,” after a trainer caused a 50m penalty during the Lions clash with Western Bulldogs.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson confirmed police were probing the incident.

“Victoria Police is investigating an incident of racial abuse at the Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions AFL match at Etihad Stadium yesterday,’’ she said.

A spectator at the match said the man was yelling obscene comments throughout the match, including at umpires.

“Fans were disgusted and staff was notified,’’ he said. “He yelled abuse out all game to the umpires as well.

The ugly incident has marred the 300th match of Western Bulldogs legend Robert Murphy (left). Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
“It’s crazy that so much abuse occurs at the footy, including racial (abuse).’’

Another spectator who contacted the Herald Sun said he was sitting two rows behind the man and believes he was barracking for the Western Bulldogs.

“He was a Western Bulldogs supporter,’’ he said.

“He also went on to make a comment in front of young children that he bet that the ‘Asian’ runner was on a 457 visa.

“Not anywhere near acceptable and hope he is banned for life.’’

A witness described the incident to Yahoo 7.

“The man, of Asian descent, accidentally ran across Bob Murphy’s mark kicking for goal causing a 50m penalty,” he said.

“Fans were disgusted and staff were notified. A gentleman behind me took notes on his seating and section number and passed it onto the staff at the ground.”

It is understood the stadium’s anti-social behaviour text message service was not used, and the AFL is working with police in a bid to identify the man.

An AFL fan is filmed allegedly hurling racial abuse at a trainer
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the league would “provide whatever information or assistance is sought’’ from police.

“We would repeat again that such behaviour is never welcome around our matches and we are pleased that a crowd member has provided information to the police so they can act,’’ he said.

Both clubs and the league are unsure about who the man in the video supports.

The incident comes less than a fortnight after AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said racism in the sport would not be tolerated in the wake of two separate off-field incidents after the Showdown in Adelaide earlier this month.

“The message I want to make is that from (AFL) Commission chairman Richard Goyder down, we are resolute in tackling these issues, and calling them out,” McLachlan said.

“Racism wounds people, it hurts communities, and racism has no place in our game. We have come a long way on field and we have come a long way off field, but there are still isolated instances.

“We are going to keep tackling them, we are going to keep calling them out and we are going to keep working with our supporters and our fans ... we will deal with this issue in absolute terms.”

Seems like Rolfe's schtick these types of fan behaviour articles.

He regularly covers soccer hooliganism.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Just flicking around and note that Travis is on the footy show. If that is your kinda thing.

First question. Dave Hughes asks if he got a wedgie on the first day at Whitten Oval.

...and I'm out. Next station.

Is Hughes sitting at the desk with the players always a thing?

 

[JEDi 44]

Had to laugh at Sam McClure's article today on Wallis.

Something along the lines of "other than key forwards Travis Cloke, Stuart Crameri, Jack Redpath, ruckman Jordan Roughead and key defender Dale Morris, they have a full team to choose from"

Not like those guys are important at all!

and Dickson wasn't even worthy of a mention

 

[Norm De Guerre]

and Dickson wasn't even worthy of a mention

Probably left him out as he is playing for Footscray this week and although incredibly unlikely he theoretically could've played in the seniors.

 

[Bremner20]

Just watching Trav Cloke on TFS he's a chip off the old block in the foot in your mouth stakes as dumb as his old man . If I was a doggies supporter knowing what the club is paying him I'd be pissed off just a sample " always be a Collingwood man I love that club" . Be suprised if the club don't tick him off on his comments .

 

[X_box_X]

Just watching Trav Cloke on TFS he's a chip off the old block in the foot in your mouth stakes as dumb as his old man . If I was a doggies supporter knowing what the club is paying him I'd be pissed off just a sample " always be a Collingwood man I love that club" . Be suprised if the club don't tick him off on his comments .

I don't have an issue with it. He was honest, which is something you aren't used to at Hawthorn.

You guys could take a leaf out of his book.