Bring back the biff!

[julzqld]

It was mentioned in the paper today that AFL chief Wayne Jackson was highly critical of rugby league's stoush between Brisbane Broncos captain Gordon Tallis and Penrith prop Ben Ross. Whilst the NRL decided to take no action against the players, my husband was quick to note that if it had happened in an AFL game the players would be out for the rest of the season. Has the AFL gone completely the other way and is making our great game appear to be "soft"? During the Melbourne/Richmond Wizz Fizz Cup game, the melee that occurred after Chaffey's "charging" was automatically taken off the big screens on the ground. Even the commentators made mention of it. Those familiar to the NRL Footy Show will recognise the phrase "bring back the biff". Years ago it was unheard of having players up before the Tribunal for "wrestling". Is our great game becoming more genlemanly or merely appeasing for television? What does everyone think????

 

[MC24]

I haven't seen the incident you are talking about Julz, but Ray Warren was on the radio this morning and he's not happy that the NRL has done nothing about it.

There seems to be a different culture, attitude in NRL, compared to other codes in Australia.

Apparently, Tallis said that he wanted a rest (ten minutes in the sin bin), so that's why he did it. Ray was none too happy that Tallis has had nothing to answer for and believes it's not a good promotion for the game.

I tend to think we go a bit too much the other way, especially where things like players 'flying the flag' are concerned. To try to eliminate that out of the game pretty much goes against what team sport is all about, not to mention the Australian culture of helping out a mate.

It's pretty much harmless and how many cameras are there at games these days? If players want to be stupid then they deserve what they get.

Seems to me like the NRL condones the biff and is way behind the times and any other code, whereas the AFL tries to eliminate any sort of contact. If they could each find some middle ground that would be a good thing.

 

[Koalalill]

Maybe they appear to condone it because it gets people talking about the NRL. And maybe it is a way for them to get some more buumms on seats because they do have problems with their lack of crowds.

 

[admin]

 Is our great game becoming more genlemanly or merely appeasing for television?  What does everyone think????

Personally I think the players have to be protected. It's great to watch the thuggery from years gone by, but I can't see a place for it in the modern game.

If it was played like that now I suspect there would be a lot less kids encouraged by their parents to play the sport.

I am all for good hard play, within the rules now. I admire the Roos for the hardness, but they show you can do it without inflicting permanant brain injury.

I guess my reply isn't really in regard to the melee aspect of the question, but more for the "gentlemanly" aspect.

Libba trying to behead Knighta would almost have gone unnoticed 20 years ago, but it's not acceptable now, and I think that's an improvement in the game.

I've got plenty of "bloodbath" games on video to watch, but I'd prefer to see a hard, fast flowing and skillful game.

 

[Tassie27]

If the AFL want players in the future they have to continue with their current attitude about clamping down on unnecessary rough play. If the game is clean, I MAY consider allowing my two boys to play (however I would rather they take up golf!).

No mother in their right mind would be happy for their sons to play Rugby League in its present neanderthal state. A big bunch of thugs, the lot of them.

 

[MC24]

Hey Julz, has Ben Ross come to yet.

They showed the incident on the Footy Show last night.

How did the NRL do nothing about that? :-/

Tallis apparently made some joke to the press about needing a rest, so that's why he did it.

If I had any say in it, he'd be getting as much rest as he wanted, for a very long time.

 

[Cade]

I loved the biff, olden day football was the greatest to watch, i wish that footy these days was something like the 70's and 80's.

 

[Redford]

The No Rules League are at one end of the spectrum with their bogan approach to everything, whilst the Anti Fun League are at the other end with their sanitised, boring, "soccer mums" (borrowed from Evo) approach to everything.

 

[cassady]

from what i hear he is still sick with the pancreas problem and hey, the beazer is doing a fine job

 

[palmyscum]

I have to say it was the stupidiest thing i've ever seen! i cant believe they would let two players (one an up-and-comer to the game and the other a captan and legend of the club) go toe-2-toe (for so long) without any concequences but then suspend someone for a high shot. Correct me if i am wrong but isnt punching someone in the face very similar to a high shot??? The NRL is complete an utter maddness and who are the wally's that let these things slip. When it comes down to it I don't agree with new rules that make our great game soft EG punching the arms and so-forth but if this is needed to promote our game in a changing world to become a world sport (if we want it to be), then so be it. The game is on the verge of lossing the tag of being classed as a hard contact sport (and i say with regrets) but lets not forget, for it to survive and grow it has to be marketable to young kids and families.... The NRL is lossing so much support from stupid incidents like this and people are not going to let their kids play a game where you can punch each other out in this day and age. If they wanted fights they would put them in boxing classes...Its that simple! "Don't bring back the biff" keep it "HARD BUT FAIR" True Blue Queenslanders are idiots