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Gruesome footy footage is hardly family friendly

Dan Ginnane

by Dan Ginnane

29 Mar 12:20pm

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Filed under: Afl, Nrl, Rugby League, Sport, Sports Injuries, Television

31 comments

Injuries won’t be stopped in football. Can’t. What can be stopped is the endless supply of car-crash type atrocities rammed down our throats for days on end.

You don't want to see what happened next. Pic: Darren England.

It can be stopped right now. Can you remember a weekend so horrific?

The gory scene of Geelong’s Joel Selwood, body limp, arm stiff and blood trickling out of the side of his mouth, was a Pink Floyd song away from being a Scorsese movie.

Newcastle Knights forward Richard Fa’aoso and Mitch Clark from the Brisbane Lions stumbling around like cockroaches peppered with Mortein, a photo of Lions star Jonathan Brown resembling a victim from Australia’s Most Wanted, Wests Tigers centre Chris Lawrence turned like a twist top. It doesn’t let up.

Oh, and all in super-slo-mo-Dolby-surround-sound-high-definition-and-here’s-a-replay-from-the-reverse-angle.

It’s simply hurting football. The beauty of the pre-season television advertising campaigns is the violence is celebrated, never injurious. A dozen shoulder charges and shirtfronts with no penitence.

If only live football could be so fashioned.

The moral decorum of preventing distasteful replays cannot be left in the hands of television networks. They’re not exactly the bastions of taste and decency. The governing bodies of the major sports need to step up.

AFL already has a policy of allowing the host broadcaster to play just one replay of an incident reported by an umpire. From that point the moment of contact virtually disappears into the ether. The most menial clip to the ribs can be red-carded, yet broken bones and snapped ligaments are open season.

How can a ban on violent replays be implemented? Simple. Each game is assigned an official by the governing body, who watches the game on television (it’s not as if an official wouldn’t be watching the match anyway) and immediately announces a red flag when a clearly unsightly incident occurs.

The red flag is sent via a group-all email to every media outlet in the country, with a clear warning: Play this on-air and every accreditation pass in your organisation is instantly revoked.
Trust me, it would work.

Of the horror clips, from Brown to Selwood to Fa’aoso to Lawrence to Waite, ask yourself this: How many incidents did you see in the game broadcast, and how many did you see on a highlights show or a news clip?

The immediacy of live sport is its beauty. The unpredictable, the unscripted drama. Injuries are an unavoidable hazard and in the heat of the moment, an aphrodisiac for bloodthirsty fans.

But kill the replays and you save a lot of mums from being killed off from football.

Most commented

31 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • Rover of North Cooma says:

      11:38am | 29/03/11

      It’s part of the game (all codes, except soccer where the damage is rarely real) and as such it should be shown. Yes it’s gruesome, but it proves that the player isn’t faking it.

      I think showing repeated footage of crashes during motor sports is far more offensive, particularly as it’s usually followed by the driver walking away uninjured. That lets people think that they can drive like Mark Webber and survive, despite not wearing a helmet and protective gear, being strapped in incredibly tightly, and having a team of people with fire extinguishers and first aid on hand to give you the best chance of survival.

      Reply

    • Rob says:

      07:56pm | 29/03/11

      Just on the soccer. I remember David Busst of Coventry snapping his leg horrendously playing Man U some time ago. It was so bad they had to throw a bucket of water on the pitch to clean the blood up. The Man U goalie was nearly throwing up on the pitch. Don’t think it doesn’t happen in soccer just cos you’ve not seen it.

    • Arnold Layne says:

      09:29pm | 29/03/11

      Further to Rob’s comment, I recall Alan Smith shattering his leg against Liverpool when he got it stuck in the turf just when making a challenge (no foul play involved) and the network chose to show no replay.  His face showed the agony he was in, the trainers immediately put a small screen around him to protect his dignity while they got him ready to be taken off.  The world kept turning, noone worried about not seeing the replay and we all got on with it. 

      While we’re on it though, I wish the same thing applied to close ups of players after they make a mistake.  We don’t need a slow motion replay of them swearing.  Kids can lip read.  I have no problem with a player swearing after he messes up, but the broadcaster has no need to replay it.  Just get on with the game.

    • Sean says:

      05:27pm | 31/03/11

      I just thought immediately of Marcin Wasilewski, who had his leg snapped in half.

      Violent soccer injures tend to worse than those in AFL and NRL. In AFL, you get a hip to the face and you get knocked out. In soccer, you’ll get your leg taken off.

    • Mace says:

      11:39am | 29/03/11

      The problem is that the media and some players glorify in the violence and turn it into something gladiatorial.  If you want a mind numbing moment put on The Footy Show but don’t watch the “vision”, just listen to the commentary. Scarey thick headed stuff.

      Reply

    • mmr march 29 2011 says:

      11:42am | 29/03/11

      like euthanasia, football is all about injuries and death.
      you get paid to get injured.
      like the Liberals, football has never been family friendly.

      Reply

    • Rev says:

      12:21pm | 29/03/11

      Seriously, was a political comment required?
      We’re talking about sport FFS, and for once it would be awesome if a thread on the punch could do away with the left / right sniping.

    • fairsfair says:

      12:56pm | 29/03/11

      Mary Monica Roche is a troll Rev. Just ignore it. Thankfully most people do on most days.

      Agree, tt does get a bit much sometimes though.

    • Gregg says:

      11:51am | 29/03/11

      Cannot comment on what was happening in the NRL but like AFL it is a rugged game and you hardly ever see Darren Lockyer without a battered face after a match.
      Collisions do happen and be it Joel Selwood or Johnathon Brown, though they are a tad difference in size and have different roles they both play with that same fearless approach as most great footballers do.
      There is no point in hiding reality and as for
      ” The moral decorum of preventing distasteful replays cannot be left in the hands of television networks. They’re not exactly the bastions of taste and decency. The governing bodies of the major sports need to step up.

      AFL already has a policy of allowing the host broadcaster to play just one replay of an incident reported by an umpire. From that point the moment of contact virtually disappears into the ether. The most menial clip to the ribs can be red-carded, yet broken bones and snapped ligaments are open season. “

      The governing bodies know that their sport is tough and whilst they attempt to cut down on bad injuries with various rules and any head high hit being reported as Rae was, they probablly also appreciate that the tough physicality is part of why the games appeal.

      The Selwood/Rae incident was shown a number of times btw even though Rae had been reported so as for whether the AFL give Ten a rap is another matter.
      Rae I imagine will get off, or even have the report dropped as it was two players going in low for the ball and if anything Rae’s hip or backside that collected with Selwood.

      Perhaps the AFL should make a rule that any dive towards a ball on the ground is to be penalised and that may prevent a few more injuries coming from Selwood/Rae type play.

      But if you or mothers do not like it, you do not have to watch.

      Reply

    • fairsfair says:

      01:04pm | 29/03/11

      I agree. The risk and the potential is there. If you don’t want to see it - don’t tune in - at all. I also found myself snapping into Erick mode on the mention of the mums too… why was the gender distinction required?

      I do like that one replay only rule though. For everything during broadcast. If it is a highlight it should be broadcast as one. And might I add that highlights don’t always have to be a positive thing. These two AFL hits were pretty major and that stiffened arm just shows you what can happen. Even entertaining playing after that is rediculous though and this issue should really be discussed more than the amount of times it was replayed.

      I did notice on the weekend though something that the AFL use that was thankfully banned from the NRL commentary box moons ago. THE PEN. The day that was forcibly removed from Phil Gould’s swolen hands was a good day for everyone.

    • FJ says:

      11:56am | 29/03/11

      The media in NSW never showed the AFL images when doing their stories on TV. Would have looked silly seeing they were saying injuries don’t happen in AFL. Dan was guilty of this himself on Sportsline last night.

      Reply

    • Bonestar says:

      06:54pm | 29/03/11

      They didn’t show them cause they are a complete joke compared to NRL.

    • notSue says:

      02:16pm | 30/03/11

      Bonestar, you’ve got to be kidding! Even one-eyed rugby supporters must acknowledge that injuries like fractured spines, dislocations, compound fractured limbs, head injuries and broken ribs happen in both codes. They’re as bad as each other - but it’s an accepted risk the players take each time the run onto the ground. Your parochialism is showing and it’s not a good look.

      I agree they shouldn’t be repeatedly shown like disaster porn. Once or twice is enough.

    • john says:

      12:11pm | 29/03/11

      Football violence in the game or spectators gives me a reality check in regards to what humans are really like. Its just a polished version of the roman colosseum ~2000 yrs ago. Same old herd mentality with blood thirsty lust.
      Nothings changed.

      Reply

    • michael j says:

      01:11pm | 29/03/11

      YES well i m glad ruby league has changed over science 40 years ago in one game i was watching as a junior an a grade player was picked up an opposition player who was easy 7 foot tall and driven into the ground in a spear tackle,most of the crowed groaned and turned away,others started arming themselves,but the ref took hold of the situation and gave the big fella a good talking to,the tackled player got up and played the ball and a good afternoon was had by all,left a scary impression on some of us junior’s though,

      Reply

    • Shane says:

      01:34pm | 29/03/11

      To be fair though in the Sellwood incident, there wasn’t exactly constant replaying of the blood trickling out of his mouth or anything as far as I saw?  They were showing the actual point of impact more than anything to figure out what happened.

      The simple fact is though that injuries in sport happens regardless of what sport it is.  Ballet dancers have some horrific injuries to their feet, netballers and cricketers get sprained and broken fingers often, equestrian riders break bones and get bruises and scrapes if they come off their horses.  It’s just the way the game goes.

      If anyone wants to talk about violence in sport, lets talk about UFC for a moment.  THAT is full on!

      Reply

    • dancan says:

      03:06pm | 29/03/11

      Put down your hand moisturiser, sit down in front of the tele and then crack open a nice cold can of harden the feck up

      Reply

    • Bonestar says:

      06:53pm | 29/03/11

      So True, take off the gayefell jersey and support a real game like league.

    • PJ says:

      03:59pm | 29/03/11

      Dan Ginnane,

      Executive Producer Sydney Sport - Triple M and Rugby League caller

      AND…soft!

      Reply

    • Kerryn says:

      07:30pm | 29/03/11

      You think mothers are squemish?  Whoopie doo, what about the wives, siblings, parents and children of the players who get injured?

      I was sitting one row back from the ground, and Jonathan Brown got clobbered right in front of me.  When he spewed up blood, I looked away.  Wasn’t hard.  Maybe others could learn that too.

      Best wishes to those who got injured, and please be careful next time!

      Reply

    • Kate says:

      10:07pm | 30/03/11

      My boyfriend plays local footy and I’ve seen him with blood covering his entire face after a collision. He spent half of last year in a hand splint after ripping the tendon off his middle finger.
      It’s gruesome and part of you wants to sprint onto the field and look after them - but it’s part of footy!

    • Dazeddazza says:

      08:13pm | 29/03/11

      Like a bit of the biff myself, but unfortunately whenever a punch is thrown by combatants they either miss by inches, or the ump steps in.  Need some decent boxing lessons for AFL and NRL players.

      Reply

    • EasyTiger says:

      09:32pm | 29/03/11

      I’d say the blood and general violence in Aussie Rules was far worse 30 years ago than it is today.  I was watching an interview with Leigh Matthews last night and his highlight reel as a player contained more coat hangers than my Mum’s cupboard.

      I’d like to know what makes the children of today so much more precious than the kids of the 70’s and 80’s who no doubt would’ve seen far more carnage unfold.

      Reply

    • PJ says:

      05:23am | 30/03/11

      Just what are you doing in your Mum’s cupboard?

    • Dave says:

      10:35pm | 29/03/11

      Dan Ginnane, you are a disgrace.

      Perhaps you should stop passing comment on real sports and focus more on those sports which appeal more to your fragile sensibilities, such as lawn bowls. Or will you then be terrified of the unusually high death rate attributable to that sport? It does, after all have the highest rate of heart attack and stroke of any sport in Australia. Oh the horror of it all.

      Wrap us in cotton wool Dan. Go on. Speed limit cars to 60km/h and make pedestrians wear helmets while you’re at it. You nanny state loonies who are all desperate to protect humans from the joys of being human are shameful.

      Reply

    • antiCHRIST says:

      07:45am | 30/03/11

      well said. couldn t agree more. don t like it? don t watch it. easily done.

    • St. Michael says:

      10:42pm | 29/03/11

      I hate to invoke “Won’t someone think of the children”, but it’s a valid point.  It would be interesting to see how many injuries on child footy fields or rugby fields can be attributed to parents either positively encouraging their kids towards risky play, or by duty-shirking coaches who don’t put safety protocols in place for their young kids.  That sort of behaviour is enabled by close up slowmo of hard footy hits, because it implies you can get away with it without risking your life, neck, back, or body.

      Reply

    • richo says:

      08:31am | 30/03/11

      If they didn’t fumble the ball so much and didn’t spend so much time rolling on the ground after losing the ball, they wouldn’t get injured as much, but it is hard to teach coordination.

      Reply

    • Dave says:

      08:53am | 30/03/11

      Rough play is not destroying football, crap articles like this do.

      Reply

    • Paul says:

      10:40am | 30/03/11

      Richo,  when commenting on another sport please try to be subjective.
      Also try knowing the rules before commenting, regardless of whether you agree with them.

      The Sherrin is a polished leather ball, it does not have grooves or a grip as do both rugby balls.
      It is often slippery (at night) and does not spend a hell of a lot of time in the air or in the hands of any one player.

      Also if you were ever to attend a game of Aussie Rules you’d realise that TV does not do the game any justice as it does for league.
      For league the camera is directly on the line of scrimmage. Every contact is seen.
      For Aussie Rules it is near impossible to get that level of detail in real time.
      Especially when viewing collisions that occur or the height at which players jump or speed at which the ball is moved.

      There are other rules which those in non AFL backgrounds cannot quite grasp or do not agree with.
      These are:
      Tackles can only be between hip and shoulder. The head and legs are a no no.
      You must look to pass the ball when tackled, if caught and you do not make the effort to get rid of it you lose it. It is called holding the ball.
      You must bounce the ball every 15 metres when in possession.
      You can sheppard an opponent off the ball but it has to be within 5 metres of the ball (This is often not captured by TV).
      The ball can be passed by foot or by handball in any direction. There are no forward passes or knock ons. In fact you can knock the ball on with hand or fist but not throw it.

      Reply

    • richo says:

      11:35am | 30/03/11

      All well and good but I’m not a league fan. You know what happens when you assume, try being subjective.

      The fact is the game does involve a lot of lost possession, a lot of fumbles and generally looks uncoordinated and mistake prone. Plus I will never get over the fact you get points for missing. I’m sorry I’m not a fan of your game, nothing against it, it just looks nasty and amateurish.

      Since the launch of the 2 new AFL teams, the AFL fans seem to have gone into overdrive trying to sell the game to those of us who aren’t interested in it. I tired watching it but in the first 5 minutes it was fumble after fumble after fumble, not one kick, not one decent tackle, it was just a mess with the ball rolling along the ground and the players rolling after it. I don’t see how watching those fumbles live would help convert me.

 
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