Firstly, we should declare our allegience again. We are Essendon through and through. We are not blindly loyal though — if there’s any doubt on that point, look through our posts on the sacking of Matthew Knights and appointment of James Hird.
Angus Monfries frank admission today that he “took a dive” when confronted by Jordan Lewis needs to be considered carefully and knee-jerk reactions avoided.
There are a number of issues to consider.
The terms “staging” and “diving” seem to be used interchangeably, but AussieRulesBlog contends that there are two quite different actions involved, whatever we may choose to call them (and we’ve written extensively in a number of online fora on this issue).
The AFL introduced “staging sanctions” — a scale of fines — directed against players who feigned receipt of an aggressive contact in order to dupe umpires into paying free kicks or fifty-metre penalties. The key thing here is that there is no physical contact. A video highlighting this scenario featured Kane Cornes falling like an autumn leaf when the video clearly shows that the opponent’s arm did not make any contact. This is the sort of scenario aussie rules fans are pleased to deride soccer for, calling the Azzuri the Italian National Diving team, for instance.
Given that the AFL has used the word staging in the context of feigning contact where none has occurred, it would make sense to maintain that meme.
Alternatively, players can exaggerate contact to emphasise it — which is what we think Monfries is talking about. Exaggerating contact to attract an umpire’s attention has been going on since Tom Wills kicked his first possum skin ball back in the 19th century. Since Monfries used the word dive in his admission and we’re almost certain he meant it in the context of exaggerating contact, there’s an obvious case to use exaggeration as the underlying definition.
Following on then, can we make a case for suspension or fines for diving? AussieRulesBlog thinks not. By definition, contact occurred, so for most intents and purposes, a free kick should be received — providing the umpire perceives the contact. By taking a dive, players simply amplify the effect of the contact.
There’s no doubt that Monfries’ admission will generate an outcry in the media and in online fora, but let’s be careful not to overreact. (We know this is a forlorn hope.)
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2 comments:
Last year, in a Hawks-Dogs game, Buddy was the recipient of a little tap from Brian Lake and he went down promptly. The free wasn't paid, deemed unnecessary, although there was contact.
To my eye, Franklin did take a dive (as per your definition) after genuine contact was made, even if that contact was minimal. He wasn't sanctioned, although I certainly think he should have been, because he actions didn't reflect the magnitude of the poke.
Are you saying that exaggerating conduct is any better than staging? This is a contact sport after all, if you get a small push, deal with it. If you do decide to take a dive, you should be liable for suspension.
G'day again, Navaneethan.
I take your point that 'diving' isn't in accord with the purest principles of sport, but I think we're way, way past the point where those pure principles can legitimately be expected from our professional sportspeople.
Each sport must set its own standards of acceptable behaviour. Witness the growing disquiet over 'grunting' in women's tennis, for instance, or the apparent nod and wink approach to drugs in professional cycling.
Is staging in Aussie Rules worse than diving? A qualified Yes. Both are simply forms of gamesmanship, like sledging. Personally, I'm less affronted by diving than by staging, but I don't think either warrant suspension.
I'm comfortable with the AFL's scheme to fine and name and shame stagers. If umpires sense a 'dive' and choose not to pay the free kick on the basis of giving the defender the benefit of the doubt, I'm comfortable with that too.
Thanks again for reading and for participating in discussion.
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