Discipline is an important and often used word in footy.
It can help build a team and club to great heights, yet lack of it can quickly derail even the most talented of groups. A couple of events this week have reinforced to me its importance and the general landscape of discipline in football.
Firstly, a couple of weeks ago I attended Noble Park’s naming of their EFL super team, commemorating 15 years of the club being part of the EFL. In that time some great players have worn the blue and gold, and some of the names that made the team were players that played the game as hard, yet fairly, as anyone. Denis Knight, Peter O’Brien and Craig Anderson were named as the starting on-ballers. In naming an EFL super team in that time, these three would be worthy of inclusion.
Discipline is a word that rings true for all three. Whether on the ground playing the ball hard and putting up with close checking opponents, or off the field, where all three set new benchmarks for preparation for the young guys at Noble to follow behind, they are great examples of what discipline, with talent, can help you achieve.
The second one was Richmond’s Tyrone Vickery incident with West Coast Eagle Dean Cox. The incident was not something anyone likes to see in footy and while disappointing, there has been some positives to come out of it. Vickery’s acknowledgment of his mistake, apology and acceptance of the consequences was pleasing to see, something acknowledged by the victim Dean Cox. Having someone who has caused serious injury show genuine remorse for what they have caused is an important part of the healing process. Whether four weeks was enough of a suspension is a topic of further debate.
In my previous role for the last seven years as Football Operations Manager handling the EFL’s tribunal and investigation process, I would often have discussions with clubs pre and post tribunal cases and during investigations. What often surprised me was that in the face of significant evidence to the contrary often including video was players and clubs complete denial of wrong doing and often reluctance to accept any responsibility for their actions.
While we understand human natures mechanism of defense is one of the first invoked, not defending the indefensible is something that is reinforced at Tribunal Advocates training, and in fact pleading guilty can help your case with the tribunal significantly. We understand every reported player may not be guilty and it’s why we have a thorough process with an Independent Tribunal listening to all the evidence presented and making a judgment on the balance of probability based on the evidence heard.
Disciplinary matters in the EFL have seen mixed results so far this year. In comparison to the same time last year there has been an increase in the number of reports from 85 in 2013 to 108 in 2014. At the same time, the number of yellow cards in the senior competition has dropped to an all-time low of 373, down from 400 at the same time last year and 464 in 2011. Junior yellow card numbers have also dropped from 2013 also. The number of investigations requested for incidents not seen by umpires has increased slightly, partly attributed to the increase in the use of video assisting clubs in identifying incidents. And as the knowledge and long-term concerns of concussion continue to evolve, incidents resulting in concussion are also an increased area where clubs have sought investigations.
The league continues to fine clubs for melees involving large numbers of players. Melees remain the most difficult area of discipline to manage. If two or three players are involved in an incident, the umpire and other witnesses can identify who is at fault and lay necessary charges. As more people become involved, the likelihood of being able to identify those transgressing reduces significantly, while the propensity for officials and supporters becoming involved increases. The most extreme example of the issues with melees was in country Victoria a few months ago, where a player was kicked at the bottom of a melee, may lose sight in his eye, yet because of the large number of people involved it has been impossible to identify the perpetrator.
We play a physical and emotional game where we understand from time to time people will stray outside the rules.
What isn’t accepted are blatant acts of violence, The EFL has rules and systems in place to ensure people who breach those rules face severe penalties. It is the EFL’s duty to provide a safe environment for all participants. Coming towards the end of the season and leading into finals, it’s important everyone involved in the game, both on and off the field, is reminded of their obligations to their fellow participants.