Post by mixedupref on Dec 7, 2010 0:40:25 GMT 10
Watching a match recently, I was expecting the striker for the home team to be rested, as he was known to be carrying a niggling calf injury. However, he took the field and had a blinder.
I was disgusted to see that the visitors appeared to take him out at every opportunity - he was charged off the ball with a raised elbow (no action from the referee), kicked behind play (still no action), heavily shoulder charged later (caution - after seeing no advantage) and generally fouled continually.
Aside from the specific incidents (which really got my goat!), I've known that the AFL have recently begun handing out suspensions for the offence of "targeting an injured player."
I'm wondering what the general opinion is about the idea of a Caution for Unsporting Behavior when a player is continually targeted by more than one opponent - even if the fouls themselves may not warrant cautions, whether the player is targeted because of injury or simply because of talent? Obviously if it is the same player committing the offences, a Caution for Persistent Infringement would quite likely be in order.
From a simple match control perspective, I can understand a player who is continually targeted losing their temper and doing something to get themselves sent off - which would best be avoided. Tactically IMO it makes sense to get under an opponent's skin to break their focus, and I believe that some teams will set out to target a talented opponent, even if it means fouling him (or her) at any opportunity.
Thoughts?
I was disgusted to see that the visitors appeared to take him out at every opportunity - he was charged off the ball with a raised elbow (no action from the referee), kicked behind play (still no action), heavily shoulder charged later (caution - after seeing no advantage) and generally fouled continually.
Aside from the specific incidents (which really got my goat!), I've known that the AFL have recently begun handing out suspensions for the offence of "targeting an injured player."
I'm wondering what the general opinion is about the idea of a Caution for Unsporting Behavior when a player is continually targeted by more than one opponent - even if the fouls themselves may not warrant cautions, whether the player is targeted because of injury or simply because of talent? Obviously if it is the same player committing the offences, a Caution for Persistent Infringement would quite likely be in order.
From a simple match control perspective, I can understand a player who is continually targeted losing their temper and doing something to get themselves sent off - which would best be avoided. Tactically IMO it makes sense to get under an opponent's skin to break their focus, and I believe that some teams will set out to target a talented opponent, even if it means fouling him (or her) at any opportunity.
Thoughts?