A few clubs have been doing it for a while, but I thought that a club like Port Melbourne would be dead against it, but recent weeks have seen a police-style ribbon tape encirlcle the players.
One die hard supporter suggested the tape was a good idea, because they way they were playing was an absolute crime.
Geelong have been doing it at away games,would not have thought they would have enough supporters to worry about it though.
Haven't noticed that yet Ons.
Which clubs have been doing it?
werribee have done it all season. bo xhill do it as well from memory.
werribee also huddle inside a 50m arc i believe it is a directive of football victoria. something about keeping the teams some distance apart!
Thanks,
I haven't noticed it at all yet. I will keep an eye out.
As an aside, I expect the tape at the Geelong huddle is probably to keep the players IN.
Yeah ive noticed that roping off crap. There are alot of quiet coaches and its impossible to hear what there saying being back that extra few metres. I just hope some bright spark from the VFL doesnt decide that they will take away the huddle and people going onto the ground.
Its disapointing that you cant go on the ground for the grand final I think. Especially for the people that go very week and not just once a year.
Last year we went on the ground at 1/4 time in the reserves grand final but after that no one was allowed on the arena
I can only speak for Box Hill but if supporters would give the players some breathing space it wouldn't be needed.
I think the older VFA supporters knew how it worked and respected that space but maybe it's just the kids or AFL fans etc who are determined to make 'up close and personal' a truly intimate experience. The players are hot and bothered etc and need a genuine break which is pretty hard to do when you're being hustled and bustled by 40, 50 or more people.
Fair dinkum , I've even seen supporters try to get autographs etc at the huddle !
From our club's point of view it's certainly player and coach driven.
Agree 100% that the league should definately not go down the track of banning supporters from the huddles altogether. Everyone just needs to use their brains.
And you're right footyman , it IS a VFL rule that both clubs huddle inside their 50 metre arcs , but it was more a matter of stopping annoying coaches huddling so close to the umpires that their abuse could be clearly heard in the middle. Smart arse tactic that backfired.