After the game on Friday night, social media was ablaze on how some commentators labelled Patrick Dangerfield’s tackle on Sam Walsh as one that was a tackle, but where Walsh “milked” the head banging to the ground. My issue with that is that, pure and simple, both arms were pinged, and the player had no way to brace for the fall. Commentators say Dangerfield tried to mitigate any damage, but I can’t see how. He was subsequently given a one-week ban, and we are waiting to see if Geelong will be disputing this.
Then, on Saturday, Steven May from Melbourne was accused of the same thing. But this one was different. It was staged, and May was not flung to the ground in the same way that Walsh was. May was spun around; he had complete control of his standing until Eddie Ford spun him, not aggressively, but carefully. They both fell. May’s head was nowhere near being thumped to the ground, but he then put his head on the ground, clutching it. This was a case of genuine staging and he should receive a fine. If he was clutching his head, then protocol suggests that he should be under concussion rules. But he was not.
Dangerfield’s tackle, on the other hand, was aggressive and instant. His body pushed Walsh to the ground, both arms pinned so he could not brace the fall. There was no time between the tackle and his head on the ground. It was not the head hitting the ground that Dangerfield got caught out on; it was the result of him grabbing both arms and pushing Walsh to the ground. It’s very different to the May one.
That being said, the game itself was one in which, in the words of Michael Voss after the match, the team not only knew their roles and their part in the team but were connected because of this very mantra of what role each player undertook. It was not a singular person who took the game under their belt, but the whole team that was connected to play their game, their way, together.
We have not witnessed such a strong connection within the team for a long time. We saw it starting to take shape last season, and now we are reaping the fruits of that labour. We are observing a remarkable growth from some players who only last year, some supporters were suggesting should be traded out. We are witnessing the patience and unwavering determination from a coach who for some last season and even this season, believe that is not the coach for Carlton and should be sacked. (I do have screen shots of those by the way).
The reason I am highlighting this is because these supporters do not and will not comprehend what it takes to make a team play the way they did on Friday. It was not a close game as some thought, but a thrashing. Becoming a team that played the way that Carlton did on Friday night is a journey. It requires an unwavering determination to be a team that connects with each other on the field and off. It necessitates continual training and growth to become a player that produces the results that were shown on Friday night.
The players stepped over the line of mediocrity to become more than many thought they were. But it doesn’t stop there. Vossy said during the week that after every game, it is time to move on from that result and to focus on the game ahead. Sure, you can learn from your mistakes and even from your successes. Still, each week, a new team presents a different scenario and a team that is unwavering in its determination to be successful, to be connected, will be the team that comes out winning.
Carlton showed the AFL world the growth and development, the determination and the unwavering connection that has made them a threat to others. Some may not like it. Some may disagree, but at the end of the day, when the final siren goes, it is the result that counts. The ability to kick the goals. The ability to defend when necessary and the ability to not let opponents and the umpires cut the unwavering determination and connection that the club has. Exciting, isn’t it?
#GOBLUES!
SPORTZ 