Aerie wrote:Wedgie wrote:Despite a bit of confusion the only relevent issue here in regard to the hit a few seconds later was the intent and there was no doubting Syme's intent was to help the Eagles player which is commendable.Tragic really that probably the nicest and most caring player on the field was hit like he was.
I've been quite torn in the issue and have regarded Adam Grocke as a friend, he's a part of a lovely family that does an amazing amount of work for charity. But there is no doubting he tries to influence himself on a game at times with physical strength. I think Adam would be struggling with this and I'd think he would have already tried to contact Brad to express his regret, no excuse I know but he's not a bad person.
Well said. This was one action that anyone at the Eagles or Grocke himself (I'd imagine) would be ashamed of. It wasn't in the spirit of the game and he deserves a lengthy suspension (6-8 weeks?).
I don't think you can draw out this one action to reflect what he would be like on the other side of the white line, or even what he is like or has been like as a footballer for his whole career. He has been very good and once he's served his time on the sidelines, he can be very good again. In general, he influences the game with physical strength in a fair manner. This time he didn't because he was seething from what happened to a team mate minutes earlier, and that is no excuse neither, just what happened.
Thankfully Symes doesn't have facial fractures or a broken jaw to go with his concussion and hopefully Symes will have the option to continue to play if he wants to.
The Eagles as a football club probably need to reflect a little on the reputation they're gathering. Kane's hit on Gallagher in 2012 was equally disturbing and Parry stepped over the line a couple of times too often. Play hard by all means, that is a must, but play fair.
Good post.
While I think his hit was disgraceful and I'm not trying to make it sound right but I wouldn't be surprised over the last two days if Grocke has looked at the Collier/Ainger incident and gone, shit that wasn't as bad as I thought it looked on Saturday.
Sad part is if him and Symes are genuinely mates off the field his gonna have to live with a fair bit of guilt especially if brad is forced to retire from it.
I kind of feel for Grocke (anyone who has played sport with and against me would say I'm no thug but have definatly had a few brain snap moments).
I think Grocke as a big bloke and experienced player in the squad was definatly looking to make a physical stand for his fallen teammate but he unfortunately misjudged the situation, got the hit horribly wrong and worse of all probably did it to the least deserving bloke on the park.
I'm still just gutted by teams reaction to the hit, I feel a part of me died inside. I was speaking to a ex player last night with over 5 premiership medals and like he said in the days of the Gowans, Quinno, Josh Coulter, Danny Hulm, Luke Cowan, Yves Sibenaler, Brent Guerra that kind of hit would have started one of the biggest brawls in SANFL history.