Respect: a crucial element of sport

Writing for The Age, Bulldog’s star Bob Murphy bemoans the failure of many of his opponents (and teammates) to shake hands before the game begins.

 

Here at AussieRulesBlog, we’ve searched the cerebral memory banks and we’re quite sure we recall a respectful handshake before the game being very much the rule going back to the 60s, 70s and 80s.

 

Of course, in those  far-off and less-competitive times, players did not play at something akin to the rutting rites of mountain rams before a game. They simply shook hands respectfully, may even have wished each other good luck, and then waited for the game to commence.

 

Such is the modern manifestation of AFL that, before the game commences, players engage in violent confrontations immediately upon approaching each other. No doubt there are mental battles being waged and physical dominance being established, but it all seems pretty petty to we old timers.

 

Players being interviewed are quick to give credit to their opponents, often even when not warranted, yet go through these troglodyte rites to establish superiority before the bounce.

 

We think respect for one’s opponents is a crucial aspect of modern sport. It marks us out as a more-tolerant, more-civilised society that our AFL crowds are not segregated according to allegiance, but mix freely around the ground. The players should take a lead in emphasising this feature of our sport.

 

Occasionally we see a player demonstrate respect by showing concern for the welfare of an opponent, as David Hille did in 2008 after a clash with Jamie Charman. Charman was not demeaned by Hille showing concern, and Hille demonstrated a chivalry too little seen in modern AFL.

 

At AussieRulesBlog, we would prefer to see our heroes demonstrating the chivalric values of the mythical Round Table — accord one’s opponent appropriate respect, but give no quarter, nor expect any, once battle is engaged.

 

The AFL’s Mick Malthouse-inspired directive that coaches shake hands with umpires preceding the game to show respect to the officials, is a similar acknowledgement and expression of an expectation that the officials will truly and disinterestedly discharge their duties in the coming game. We may not always agree with them, but we respect their efforts and their independence from the contest.

 

Good on you Bob. We support you wholeheartedly.