HotShot said:
Firstly afl is a discrminating sport taller players are preferred similar to volleybal. A sure they have couple of short players but they are not focused upon.
Taller players are preferred - but only in specific positions (key forward/back/ruck). Players of any stature are ideal for positions such as midfield, flank and roving. The only discriminating factor lies in the necessity for fitness and ball skills. Don't tell me League isn't discriminating in its need for bulky, 95kg+ bodies for most positions.
HotShot said:
I dont think AFL will overtake popularity of league or cricket, becuase it is not really an international (only scotland plays gaelic footbal). so, but it is not gay, just a sport for lanky dudes.
*laughs*
AFL is nationally already more popular than League or union (not cricket), and has always been. League is by far the popular sport in NSW, but AFL has the crown for every other state.
The catch 22 is that League is an international sport, and is played in many countries, with a World Cup. Union is similar, and even more popular. AFL is only affiliated to the gaelic region and some parts of the USA.
But on to the Hopoate topic:
Phil Gould in the Sun Herald said:
The media coverage of the John Hopoate incident has been a disgrace. Quite deliberately, it was designed to influence the game's judicial processes. Such media action also places tremendous pressure on clubs that are very sensitive to how sponsors view adverse publicity. Suddenly everyone wants no part in the player involved.
Hopoate is a father of eight children. He has played football for his state and his country. That is a lot more than the would-be-if-they-could-be journalists who take great pleasure in sledging him behind the safety of their computers.
Every footballer knows what really happened in that tackle. John's intention was to race up and put a big shoulder charge on his opponent. Sometimes self-preservation kicks in and before you know it, you endanger others.
When you've copped a few elbows and head clashes while attempting shoulder charges, you will know what i'm talking about. The tackle went horribly wrong and it looked bad. No excuses, but these things happen.
Before Hopoate had got to the showers the media had decided his career was over. They got what they wanted, and not for the first time. But is that how the system should work?
I agree wholeheartedly to Gould's comment, and it saddens me that so many people, including most members of this forum, could throw themselves onto this bandwagon.
Happy Easter everyone!