Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse’s assertions that he was speaking to his own players at quarter time of the Saints-Collingwood clash last night aren’t supported by the video footage. Assistant coach Paul Licuria also pretty clearly had a crack.
It brings to mind Kevin Sheedy’s antics a few years ago at the same ground in a clash against the Weagles. Sheedy’s throat-cutting gesture to a Weagles player was obviously more over-the-top than Malthouse and Licuria exchanging pleasantries, yet the similarities remain.
In round 22, 2009, Alastair Clarkson crossed the line to hurl invective at Matthew Lloyd after Lloyd had put the one of the Hawks’ key midfielders out of the game.
We can hardly criticise coaches for being emotionally involved in the games they coach or for being emotionally-connected to their players, but there must be a firm line established by the AFL on this issue.
Watching the footage and taking note of body language, it’s hard to escape the conclusion that Malthouse and Licuria were inflaming the situation.
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