NOT SO GRAND END TO A SEASON

A GRAND FINAL is the pinnacle of the year for many sporting codes, when the two best teams battle it out in a showdown to decide who is the best. For the winners it usually means a shiny cup, adoration of fans and in some cases prize money.

It’s sad to see that in the Old Scholars Football Association the celebrations of a grand final win by OHA over St Virgil’s have been soured by violent incidents which resulted in two players being suspended for a total of 10 weeks.

St Virgil’s star player and playingcoach Jaye Bowden was struck in an off-the-ball incident by OHA’s Ray Hill in the second quarter. Umpires reported Hill for intentionally striking and was sent from the ground for 15 minutes. Bowden was concussed and was unable to continue playing after half time. Hill pleaded guilty and was later suspended for six matches.

Later in the game St Virgil’s player Trad Duggan ran through Hill, striking him with his shoulder. Hill, also suffering concussion, played no further part in the game. Duggan also pleaded guilty and was suspended for four matches.

It’s not the first time a grand final has been marred by such incidents.

In the 1989 AFL Grand Final, Geelong player Mark Yeates crashed into Hawthorn star Dermott Brereton in the opening seconds of the game, under orders from his coach, breaking his ribs and causing internal bleeding.

Tasmanian great and Brisbane Lions star Alastair Lynch finished his career playing in a losing Grand Final against Port Adelaide in 2004.

Knowing it was his final game and with nothing to lose, Lynch went out swinging, quite literally. Although most of his hay-makers missed opponent Darryl Wakelin, he was suspended for 10 weeks and given a $15,000 penalty. Lynch rates his grand final violence as “the most regrettable time of my career”.

The problem is that while the rules remain the same, grand final incidents like those that tainted the Old Scholars premiership decider can, and most likely will, happen again.

Bowden has called on the Association to “stop this bullshit” and he is right. This sort of on-field violence must stop – for the health of the game and health of players.

Football is a team game, and while an individual might be penalised, their actions in “taking out” a star player often benefit the team.

Maybe it’s time for the AFL and lower leagues to enforce a send off rule where a perpetrator is sent off for the entire game and not replaced – even if it just applies to grand finals.

It happens in other codes including soccer and rugby, and they are better for it.