Dont touch the players during the game.....

[Dr Alf Andrews]

Probably not a real smart thing to do these days. But sometimes it's the player who touches the spectator ... like the notorious Hardwicke incident last year.

Or, on a less serious note, you occasionally see players giving spectators a high-five after kicking a goal. Now, is this a case of a spectator touching a player or a player touching a spectator?

floreat pica
**************
My Ph.D. thesis, "Football: the People's Game?" is now available for viewing and/or downloading at http://alf.magpies.net

[bwphantom]

If a player wants to give a spectator a high five then SO BE IT. I agree with Greg, these guys are out there for us. Touching a player when not instigated by the player can be off putting, because players are in a zone and that sort of contact can take a player out of the zone. When playing in front of a big crowd most players are able to apply a mechanism that focuses out the crowd and focuses on the play. That is what can be ruined by even a congratulatory pat on the back like this one was.

If your not bleeding Black and White, you don't truly support Collingwood!!!!!

[Greg J]

It looked like it took Cloke a split second to realise it was a Collingwood supporter.

I agree with the other Greg, keep your hands off the players.

Rule 1. Barrack for Collingwood
Rule 2. See rule 1.
Rule 3. There is no rule 3.

CARN DE PIES!
Greg J

[Joel]

Yeah saw that, Cloke turned around then moved away.

JDF

[Elvira7]

I totally agree that the players should not be touched during a game.
I too watched the replay last night on Foxtel and I can tell you that it certainly wasn’t just a light tap on the back. The supporter really did over do it and I found it quite disturbing to watch!

Cloke is our GEM, let’s treat him with care!!


Elvira - Always Proud & Passionate

[This message has been edited by Elvira7 (edited 13 May 2002).]

[Black_White]

If a player wishes to instigate contact, such as the "high five" run, then thats fine. The player has picked his section of the crowd and is happy thet he faces no threat.
To touch any player from any team at anytime is unacceptable. Can we all remember the tennis player who got stabbed? It must be the most distracting thing to happen to any player. To have to worry about your personal safety on the footy field is terrible.

-Craig

[cobood]

I agree wholeheartedly with all the previous posts.....
Being on the fence I saw the incident close hand and the shocked look on Clokey's face when he was touched actually I should say thumped... I'll remember for a long long time....

People should have enough sense to know that something like that can worry a player enormously and could well put him off his play....

I know the person didnt mean any harm only wanted to congratulate.... but there is a time and place for that and during course of play isnt one of them.....

So please out there dont rush to the fence and slap players on the back!!!

BE LOUD...BE PROUD
(September.... we WILL be there)

[JLC]

Actually no i dont think he is a member of the cheersquad. I know the person as i watched the replay just before. Ok sure maybe that isnt the time and place to do it but i think we are going a tad over the top. I remember a game at Moorabin when Tony Francis kicked a goal to put us in front, Collignwood supporters lept the fence to come and congratulate him. Who will ever forget the tour of the West Indies when the locals run onto the ground and pin money on their heroes and even the touring supporters do that now. Its a pretty sad state of affairs when an innocent pat on the back gets blown put of all proportion. Next thing everyone will have this poor guy on Trial by Video.



I am the game, you don't wanna play me
I am control, no way you can change me
I am have heavy debts, no way you can pay me
I am the pain, and I know you can't take me

Look over your shoulder, ready to run
Like a good little bitch, from a smoking gun
I am the game, and I make the rules
So move on out, and you can die like a fool
Play the game, you're gonna be the same
You're gonna change your name, you're gonna die in flames
Hahahahaha
Time to play the game!

[cobood]

JLC.... IM sorry to say this but I think u are sitting on your brain....in more ways than one...

BE LOUD...BE PROUD
(September.... we WILL be there)

[This message has been edited by cobood (edited 14 May 2002).]

[JLC]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. All the guy did was pat someone on the back. Im not saying go ahead and do it im just saying that its not something that a riot act needs to be read over. Im sure there are bigger issues than a supporter patting a player on the back.

I am the game, you don't wanna play me
I am control, no way you can change me
I am have heavy debts, no way you can pay me
I am the pain, and I know you can't take me

Look over your shoulder, ready to run
Like a good little bitch, from a smoking gun
I am the game, and I make the rules
So move on out, and you can die like a fool
Play the game, you're gonna be the same
You're gonna change your name, you're gonna die in flames
Hahahahaha
Time to play the game!

[Greg J]

JLC, there has been a reaction, but not an over reaction. No one seems out to crucify the guy, for an act of over exuberance. It's more that we doubt the wisdom of distracting our players, from the job at hand, with deliberate physical contact.

Rule 1. Barrack for Collingwood
Rule 2. See rule 1.
Rule 3. There is no rule 3.

CARN DE PIES!
Greg J

[JLC]

Yeah i agree with that Greg as we dont want to distract our players. However there was no malice or bad intent in the persons action it was merely a supporter maybe getting a little to excited during the game. I disagree with "reading the riot" act to him or any other such nonsense



I am the game, you don't wanna play me
I am control, no way you can change me
I am have heavy debts, no way you can pay me
I am the pain, and I know you can't take me

Look over your shoulder, ready to run
Like a good little bitch, from a smoking gun
I am the game, and I make the rules
So move on out, and you can die like a fool
Play the game, you're gonna be the same
You're gonna change your name, you're gonna die in flames
Hahahahaha
Time to play the game!

[JLC]

Just out of Curiosity if we had a player who kicked a 100 goals during the year would we run on the ground to celebrate?? I woulhd have said that this is a far more dangerous situation ??

I am the game, you don't wanna play me
I am control, no way you can change me
I am have heavy debts, no way you can pay me
I am the pain, and I know you can't take me

Look over your shoulder, ready to run
Like a good little bitch, from a smoking gun
I am the game, and I make the rules
So move on out, and you can die like a fool
Play the game, you're gonna be the same
You're gonna change your name, you're gonna die in flames
Hahahahaha
Time to play the game!

[stik35]

JLC I think if a player kicks 100 goals, everyone - including
security will be EXPECTING supporters to run on the ground.
The difference with this incident was that it was UNEXPECTED and
apparently startled the player (which could have caused him to lose concentration on the game).

[JLC]

Thats also a valid point. I have taken all these on board. Its always interesting to see how other people think. Thank you everyone for your insight into this topic. Its been a pleasure

jlc

I am the game, you don't wanna play me
I am control, no way you can change me
I am have heavy debts, no way you can pay me
I am the pain, and I know you can't take me

Look over your shoulder, ready to run
Like a good little bitch, from a smoking gun
I am the game, and I make the rules
So move on out, and you can die like a fool
Play the game, you're gonna be the same
You're gonna change your name, you're gonna die in flames
Hahahahaha
Time to play the game!