What’s this ‘real man’s sport’?

EVERY Saturday The Chronicle sports team talks about the big issues locally, nationally and from around the globe.

This week the Jason and Sean are talking about Pat Cash’s controversial Twitter comments.

The Aussie tennis legend heaped praise on Hawthorn star Shaun Burgoyne ahead of his 350th AFL game before urging people to ditch soccer and follow a “real man’s sport”.

Jason Gibbs: I think old Pat may have had his trademark hand band on too tight when he fired up his Twitter account.

It’s that or he wanted to drum up a little more attention for Australian tennis – after all Bernie and Nick haven’t said or done anything controversial lately.

I’m the first to admit soccer has it’s fair share of whingers, divers and sooks – I played the game for 20 odd years and saw it all first-hand.

But we’ve got our fair share of hard cases too. Google Terry Butcher 1989 World Cup, try Paul Ince 1997 England v Italy or better yet look to Lawrence Thomas in this year’s ALeague grand final.

I remember a few games I played with busted or dislocated fingers – mainly because I can be very uncoordinated from time to time.

Aussie Rules is no different – there are plenty of big bad boys bumping bodies with equally big lads – but I’ve also seen a fair few players “go down” easy after a shirt punch or bump.

Tongue in cheek or not I think Cash’s comments were misguided – stick to tennis mate.

Sean Teuma: I have to admit, hearing Pat Cash voice his opinions on the World Cup was one of the last things I was expecting to hear heading into the tournament.

If it was meant to be a way to get back into the spotlight, he has certainly achieved what he has set out to do.

On the other foot, if he meant it in a tongue in cheek way, I think he has completely missed the mark.

Everybody cringes when they see someone go down with nobody within a five metre radius on the pitch.

But Pat will have a tough time trying to convince millions of Australians (and the hundreds of millions around the world) to turn off the tele throughout the next month.

Nobody is doubting the toughness of Aussie Rules players at all, but it’s a bit of a reach to feel the need to put down another sport to make your point. I hope Pat gets a comfy spot, puts his feet up and turns the Socceroos game on tonight. Who knows, he might even enjoy it.