SAAFL cracking down on violence

[kickinit]

I'll conclude in saying...

Tougher penalties for perpetrators and really come down on repeat offenders. Give clubs a chance to deal with the offender(s) and if not satisfied then punish them.

Just think if you have one bad egg in one side in your club who does the wrong thing, it isn't fair that you punish the other xx amount of club members doing the right thing, playing for the right reasons.

I really don't think the SAAFL are going to come down hard on a club if out of the blue a guy that has never been reported before tells a umpire where to go. But if your having players constantly going to the tribunal for throwing punches and what not then yes the club should be punished, because they are obviously not dealing with it in house. There is only 1 club we know that is in that 4 and that's seaton, but I don't see what the problem is with knowing the other clubs, if you don't have a problem then you don't have to worry.

[Jimmy_041]

I swear sometimes I could pick 4-6 clubs with the same attitude.
The funny thing is PG, I also think there are the same no. of Presidents of clubs, who put in countless hours of voluntary work, who have been just been given the tools to make the changes they have wanted to, but could never get through to people like you.

OMG... To clear this up..

Im not against the concept of cracking down on violence. Im not against tougher penalties handed down..

I just think that doing it mid-way through the season is stupid. Have it set out and organised prior to the start of the next season!

Also I want more clarity - what determines an offence? Is it suspensions? Is it send offs? Is it reports? What period of time are these offences over?

My biggest concern is - and we will use Ingle Farm for example - that the club had an issue over a month ago, the club banned 3 members for life, made club moves to assist in not only making sure it never happened again but change the overall culture of the club.
The club has added two new members to the committee, has developed a code of conduct policy for all members to adopt with harsh penalties attached, created dry zones at games, hired security for home games. We have so far had no issues (obviously still too early to get too excited) but we are working hard to progress.

Now my concern is the SAAFL investigating clubs mid season, if - and I wouldn't be suprised - Ingle Farm is one of those clubs, then it feels like they are dragging the whole incident up again when we have worked hard behind the scences to rectify the problem.

As for "getting through to people like me", i'm not a trouble maker, i've never been sent off or reported or suspended. I joined the committee and pushed the need for tougher set of standards for the club and introduced the code of conduct and plan on working hard with the rest of the committee to change our image.

So, are not Ingle Farm doing what the League are asking all clubs to do?
And what makes you think the League has only just thought of this? I can assure you it has been on the radar since the start of the season.
Just under 10 broken jaws in the past month plus clubs taking no responsibility for the actions of their players, officials & supporters has triggered it.
Wait until the start of next season pfftt. Why? So we can have another 10 broken jaws in July?
This week, I saw a bloke who has to suck through a straw for the next 3 months and will have wire in his mouth for the rest of the year. His jaw wasn't broken - it was shattered to pieces.
You've been warned - no more!

[The Big Shrek]

We are all getting carried away a bit here.

One off hits from people who have never done anything before are impossible to prevent, and will continue to be a rare occurrence.

If a club has an number of reports(not just a one off serious one) it is fair that the league should step in and try and help. Trying to help is the key thing as jumping in and criticising will just put clubs off.

If something really serious( like knives) comes out, it is in everyone's best interest that the club itself be seen to do something. I'm sure each and every club would accept help from the league in a situation like that. The key is not making the club itself feel persecuted.

Jimmys idea of background checks and comparing letting people play football with staying at your house is nonsense though. One of the great things about footy clubs is inclusiveness of new people.

[Dogwatcher]

I swear sometimes I could pick 4-6 clubs with the same attitude.
The funny thing is PG, I also think there are the same no. of Presidents of clubs, who put in countless hours of voluntary work, who have been just been given the tools to make the changes they have wanted to, but could never get through to people like you.

OMG... To clear this up..

Im not against the concept of cracking down on violence. Im not against tougher penalties handed down..

I just think that doing it mid-way through the season is stupid. Have it set out and organised prior to the start of the next season!

Also I want more clarity - what determines an offence? Is it suspensions? Is it send offs? Is it reports? What period of time are these offences over?

My biggest concern is - and we will use Ingle Farm for example - that the club had an issue over a month ago, the club banned 3 members for life, made club moves to assist in not only making sure it never happened again but change the overall culture of the club.
The club has added two new members to the committee, has developed a code of conduct policy for all members to adopt with harsh penalties attached, created dry zones at games, hired security for home games. We have so far had no issues (obviously still too early to get too excited) but we are working hard to progress.

Now my concern is the SAAFL investigating clubs mid season, if - and I wouldn't be suprised - Ingle Farm is one of those clubs, then it feels like they are dragging the whole incident up again when we have worked hard behind the scences to rectify the problem.

As for "getting through to people like me", i'm not a trouble maker, i've never been sent off or reported or suspended. I joined the committee and pushed the need for tougher set of standards for the club and introduced the code of conduct and plan on working hard with the rest of the committee to change our image.

So, are not Ingle Farm doing what the League are asking all clubs to do?
And what makes you think the League has only just thought of this? I can assure you it has been on the radar since the start of the season.
Just under 10 broken jaws in the past month plus clubs taking no responsibility for the actions of their players, officials & supporters has triggered it.
Wait until the start of next season pfftt. Why? So we can have another 10 broken jaws in July?
This week, I saw a bloke who has to suck through a straw for the next 3 months and will have wire in his mouth for the rest of the year. His jaw wasn't broken - it was shattered to pieces.
You've been warned - no more!

Well said.

[Dogwatcher]

Did laugh, hearing the competition chief on 5AA this morning talking about this code.
How long would his career have been if it had been in place when he was playing?

[Jimmy_041]

and me....... I would have loved to stand Shrek. Cant wait to see his face tonight when I knock on his door looking for a bed

I am looking forward to Monday - hearing we have had an incident free afternoon

[The Big Shrek]

and me....... I would have loved to stand Shrek. Cant wait to see his face tonight when I knock on his door looking for a bed

I am looking forward to Monday - hearing we have had an incident free afternoon

Playears concert tonight Jimmy. Might be daytime before I get home.

Missus will probably welcome some company though.

[locky801]

After the performances I saw of some umpires today no wonder club supporters are sending emails to the SAAFL about incidents.

How players are continually hit around the head and face in front of umpires and nothing is done is astounding.

Also I take it that there is no blood rule in the SAAFL. Saw a player today with blood flowing freely from his mouth (after a right hook connected)
and the umpire spoke to him, so he obviously saw the blood but did not send him from the ground. (Oh no report by the way even though the player got the free)

[HH3]

Im pretty confident theres a blood rule in the SAAFL. Ive seen plenty of players sent off to het cleaned up, myself included.

[Bee Keeper]

You want to crack down on violence at the footy well then employ umpires that no the game as this is why some spectators get violent. I have seen nothing but bad umpiring this year the worst I have seen in all my years and some of the deciosion are just unbelievable. It is about time the league stop blatant cheating from some umpires and get out and look at the trash they are serving up from week to week.

[Trader]

How players are continually hit around the head and face in front of umpires and nothing is done is astounding.

Also I take it that there is no blood rule in the SAAFL. Saw a player today with blood flowing freely from his mouth (after a right hook connected)
and the umpire spoke to him, so he obviously saw the blood but did not send him from the ground. (Oh no report by the way even though the player got the free)

This is one that annoys me all the time. SAAFL umpires (not talking about club volunteers in lower grades) pay a free kick for "high contact" when a player is punched in the head off the ball. But don't send the offending player off.
How? Either the ump didn't see it and has guess for the free kick. Or they did see it and choose not to send the player off.
Either way, it's not good enough.

When the league supplied umpires are that bad, it's no wonder the club umpires are as bad as they are.
Also, the number of times club umpires go to the tribunal, only to be told well, we'll find the guy guilty, but then only give him half the sentence cause you're the umpire from the other club so we can't really trust your side of the story. It's no wonder the club umpires don't bother reporting incidents any more.

I think this is a good move by the SAAFL, something needs to be done. They are targeting repeat offenders, not one offs. Clubs that are concerned about getting in trouble shouldn't worry unless they are allowing these things to occur time and time again, and not doing anything to try and stop it. If your club can show the steps you have taken to stamp these issues out, then you don't have anything to worry about.

This is a good move designed to improve safety for players who want to go and have a kick and a catch without risk of getting their head kicked in. However, this is only one of many things the SAAFL need to address in order to improve the safety. If the SAAFL are serious about improving the situation, they will need to ALSO address some of the other factors that create these situations we see week in week out.

[Punk Rooster]

Perhaps another incident has happened today- can't provide any first-hand facts, so I'll wait for someone who was there to make comment.

[Footy Chick]

Perhaps another incident has happened today- can't provide any first-hand facts, so I'll wait for someone who was there to make comment.

If a report has been made or it's under investigation, no one will be providing so called "facts" on here...

[Grahaml]

Perhaps another incident has happened today- can't provide any first-hand facts, so I'll wait for someone who was there to make comment.

If a report has been made or it's under investigation, no one will be providing so called "facts" on here...

Since when were facts ever provided on here?

[Punk Rooster]

some heavy penalties handed down in the NEMJFA- a Coach suspended for 12 months, a Team suspended for a week, and further investigations to be completed.

[lutz]

some heavy penalties handed down in the NEMJFA- a Coach suspended for 12 months, a Team suspended for a week, and further investigations to be completed.

What team?

[Yardy Lard]

Had a copy of the transcript sent tonight about violence in the SAAFL The general content or the article, was spot on and the game needs to be cleaned up - especially in the lower grades, where most of the incidents occur.
Firstly - no one can condone violence in the game and must be stamped out. Really stupid of anyone to condone stupid acts of violence. Has to be stamped out of the game - however no league, will never stamp it out out completely. Stiff penalties are a start though and good on the SAAFL for trying to stamp out he thugs and king hitters behind the play.
Secondly - you would think the SAAFL, might have used a better spokesperson to preach the word, considering his playing record in the CDFA. Perhaps the CEO or the new GM of Football Operations might have been a better choice. A case of do as I say, and not did.
Thirdly - absolutely stupid to suggest that coaches can stop a player doing something silly. You tell a player not to give away a 25 metre penalty or don't do something and something happens in the heat of the game. All of a sudden an incident happens and a player will do something silly. Nothing a coach can do about that. Most reportable incidents happen just as a brain fade from the player and not something that is pre-meditated or a coach can tell a player. Shows a complete lack of knowledge or someone who has never coached or looked after footballers, to suggest that coaches can be held responsible or should be, for a players brain fade. 99% of incidents happen from being in a contest and is not thought about by the players concerned or the one reported from an incident.

[kickinit]

Had a copy of the transcript sent tonight about violence in the SAAFL The general content or the article, was spot on and the game needs to be cleaned up - especially in the lower grades, where most of the incidents occur.
Firstly - no one can condone violence in the game and must be stamped out. Really stupid of anyone to condone stupid acts of violence. Has to be stamped out of the game - however no league, will never stamp it out out completely. Stiff penalties are a start though and good on the SAAFL for trying to stamp out he thugs and king hitters behind the play.
Secondly - you would think the SAAFL, might have used a better spokesperson to preach the word, considering his playing record in the CDFA. Perhaps the CEO or the new GM of Football Operations might have been a better choice. A case of do as I say, and not did.
Thirdly - absolutely stupid to suggest that coaches can stop a player doing something silly. You tell a player not to give away a 25 metre penalty or don't do something and something happens in the heat of the game. All of a sudden an incident happens and a player will do something silly. Nothing a coach can do about that. Most reportable incidents happen just as a brain fade from the player and not something that is pre-meditated or a coach can tell a player. Shows a complete lack of knowledge or someone who has never coached or looked after footballers, to suggest that coaches can be held responsible or should be, for a players brain fade. 99% of incidents happen from being in a contest and is not thought about by the players concerned or the one reported from an incident.

I do agree with everything you said. While a coach cannot stop a player from something stupid if it is a one of incident and the player has never done anything like that before. A coach can do something about a player that has done something stupid many times before. While there probably only a very few of these players in the league I think it's time that clubs start standing up and letting there players know that it's not on. It is pretty easy for clubs to penalise players that continually hit players behind play and if they still ain't getting the picture don't play them.

[Yardy Lard]

Had a copy of the transcript sent tonight about violence in the SAAFL The general content or the article, was spot on and the game needs to be cleaned up - especially in the lower grades, where most of the incidents occur.
Firstly - no one can condone violence in the game and must be stamped out. Really stupid of anyone to condone stupid acts of violence. Has to be stamped out of the game - however no league, will never stamp it out out completely. Stiff penalties are a start though and good on the SAAFL for trying to stamp out he thugs and king hitters behind the play.
Secondly - you would think the SAAFL, might have used a better spokesperson to preach the word, considering his playing record in the CDFA. Perhaps the CEO or the new GM of Football Operations might have been a better choice. A case of do as I say, and not did.
Thirdly - absolutely stupid to suggest that coaches can stop a player doing something silly. You tell a player not to give away a 25 metre penalty or don't do something and something happens in the heat of the game. All of a sudden an incident happens and a player will do something silly. Nothing a coach can do about that. Most reportable incidents happen just as a brain fade from the player and not something that is pre-meditated or a coach can tell a player. Shows a complete lack of knowledge or someone who has never coached or looked after footballers, to suggest that coaches can be held responsible or should be, for a players brain fade. 99% of incidents happen from being in a contest and is not thought about by the players concerned or the one reported from an incident.

I do agree with everything you said. While a coach cannot stop a player from something stupid if it is a one of incident and the player has never done anything like that before. A coach can do something about a player that has done something stupid many times before. While there probably only a very few of these players in the league I think it's time that clubs start standing up and letting there players know that it's not on. It is pretty easy for clubs to penalise players that continually hit players behind play and if they still ain't getting the picture don't play them.

Agree entirely. No coach or coaching panel who is serious about long term success of the club they are coaching would put up with players like this however and they would be moved on very quickly. It is also the responsibility IMO of the former club to warn any other SAAFL club of these behavioural breeches when on the field. No club can investigate every player in their club and it becomes a responsibility of all the clubs to provide this information, to other clubs upon seeking a clearance. Perhaps the SAAFL should tell each of the club of any prior reports, or if there is repeated behavioural problems from any players. Should not be that hard with all the material currently on-line. Please don't tell us this is confidential or a players rights have to be respected, not to have this information passed on to the next club. A players record should be displayed to the club they are moving to when cleared. Surely if the SAAFL are serious abut stamping out thugs, they will tell the clubs of players who have bad records. If serious about stamping out these players, this would be a start as most clubs know the players within.

[old farmer]

IFFC have had a code of conduct drawn up which covers what is expected from everybody from players, club officials, right through to spectators. Very clearly outlines the rules and the penaltys if you dont abide by these rules. All players have 1 week from last night to sign 1 and hand it back or they will be unavailable for selection next week. The A Grade coach has asked his players to do so by Saturday to lead the way for the rest of the club.Very good move by the club and i think the few remaining minor problems we have there will hang themselves or follow the rules. I must applaude the club on the changes they have made this year since the nutcase father lost the plot against Trinity, things such as the COC, dry zones, moving the hill on etc. No club is perfect, but we are definately moving down the path of making ours a better place. Good on the footy committe and coaching staff, keep up the good work.