Matt McLean100 Goals - To Run or Not to Run....
August 13th 2008 10:48
The debate has heated up today over whether fans should be allowed to run onto the ground to celebrate the 100th goal of a player. As Hawthorn superstar Lance "Buddy" Franklin, and Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola close in on the monumental achievement it has sparked pleas from the AFL for all fans to keep off the ground in the interest of safety for all involved.
It has been a time honoured tradition that fans race from every corner of the ground to celebrate the milestone of their hero. It has been four young years since we have seen a player kick 100 goals, Fraser Gherig brought up the ton against Port Adelaide in a Preliminary Final in 2004. We have to go back 10 years to find the last player to kick 100 goals in the regular season, Tony Lockett in 1998. With the modern game continuing to evolve, the old fashioned Full Forward has become a thing of the past - which makes Franklin's and Fevola's achievements this year so much more impressive.
The AFL want to ban people from running onto the ground and are threatening to hand out harsh penalties to those caught. I think we can all understand the AFL's concerns and can appreciate there is a certain risk of danger for both the players and the spectator's. But to take away one of the greatest parts of our game, and for something that has become so rare is not on. It has been 10 years since Tony Lockett brought up his 100th goal in the Home and Away season, and who knows how long we may have to wait again. Kicking 100 goals in a season is one of the most remarkable individual achievements in the game. The day the 100th goal is kicked will be surely be etched into not only the player's mind - but all those who witnessed it forever. Do you remember where you were when you saw Lloyd or Dunstall kick their 100th goal? Do you remember feeling a shiver up your spine when you saw people run from everywhere to celebrate Plugger's 1300th career goal? Those are some of my most memorable and fond memories of our great game.
Fans - be safe. No one wants see any players or spectators hurt or injured. But celebrate your hearts out if and when these two great modern day forwards bring up one of the greatest individual achievements we have left. Recent history has shown that an AFL player kicking 100 goals comes around less often than the Olympic games, so make sure you cherish it and make it a day that will not be forgotten in a hurry!
Over and out.
It has been a time honoured tradition that fans race from every corner of the ground to celebrate the milestone of their hero. It has been four young years since we have seen a player kick 100 goals, Fraser Gherig brought up the ton against Port Adelaide in a Preliminary Final in 2004. We have to go back 10 years to find the last player to kick 100 goals in the regular season, Tony Lockett in 1998. With the modern game continuing to evolve, the old fashioned Full Forward has become a thing of the past - which makes Franklin's and Fevola's achievements this year so much more impressive.
The AFL want to ban people from running onto the ground and are threatening to hand out harsh penalties to those caught. I think we can all understand the AFL's concerns and can appreciate there is a certain risk of danger for both the players and the spectator's. But to take away one of the greatest parts of our game, and for something that has become so rare is not on. It has been 10 years since Tony Lockett brought up his 100th goal in the Home and Away season, and who knows how long we may have to wait again. Kicking 100 goals in a season is one of the most remarkable individual achievements in the game. The day the 100th goal is kicked will be surely be etched into not only the player's mind - but all those who witnessed it forever. Do you remember where you were when you saw Lloyd or Dunstall kick their 100th goal? Do you remember feeling a shiver up your spine when you saw people run from everywhere to celebrate Plugger's 1300th career goal? Those are some of my most memorable and fond memories of our great game.
Fans - be safe. No one wants see any players or spectators hurt or injured. But celebrate your hearts out if and when these two great modern day forwards bring up one of the greatest individual achievements we have left. Recent history has shown that an AFL player kicking 100 goals comes around less often than the Olympic games, so make sure you cherish it and make it a day that will not be forgotten in a hurry!
Over and out.
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